Where does the guinea pig live. Why is a guinea pig "guinea pig". Where do guinea pigs live in the wild?

Hearing the phrase "porpoises", many are domestic fluffy rodents like hamsters. But it turns out that this is how they call representatives of the order of cetaceans, outwardly resembling dolphins and living mainly in the salt waters of most seas and oceans. Some of them are even eaten by humans. Since porpoises of most species belong to in recent years, their capture is prohibited. Due to the striking resemblance to dolphins, these families are often confused not only by the inhabitants, but also by experts on the fauna.

Like other aquatic mammals, porpoises are viviparous. Females feed their cubs with milk for quite a long time. Their diet consists mainly of fish, but sometimes includes squid, mollusks and crustaceans.

Varieties of porpoises

Globally, they are divided into three groups: featherless, white-winged and ordinary. Representatives of the last of the genera include four species. That is, there are six of them in total. They are very different from each other, both externally and in habitat. Some of the species prefer to stay in flocks, while others live alone. Among them are very common and on the verge of extinction. However, genetically they all belong to the same family.

featherless pig

It got its name from the lack of a dorsal fin. It is considered the smallest dolphin on earth (the rest of the family has it). Its dimensions do not exceed 1.2 meters. A small, beakless head with a round forehead is a distinctive feature of this species. The body is smooth, dark gray (sometimes almost black) in color, sometimes with a slight blue tint. Such porpoises live mainly in the Indian and from to the coast of Japan. Animals can keep both singly and in small groups.

Pig (marine) common

It is divided into three subspecies that live almost everywhere, starting from the north and ending with the Pacific off the coast of the Far East. The harbor porpoise is a typical representative of the fauna of the Black and Azov Seas. Males of these animals are smaller than females, their sizes do not exceed one and a half meters in length. They usually live in groups and feed on fish. Their main feature is that when breathing, they do not jump out of the water. The coloration is usually black or dark gray, the lower part of the body is lighter than the upper.

The Black Sea porpoise, or Azovka, named due to its habitat, is genetically different from the Baltic and Pacific subspecies. However, outwardly they are very similar. Ordinary pigs are the most studied by man, since they are most often kept in captivity in dolphinariums, aquariums and research centers.

Despite the large number of individuals, the industrial catch of these animals is prohibited in most countries (with the exception of Japan, where they are still eaten to this day).

California porpoises

The number of these mammals is catastrophically small. According to scientists, there are no more than 300 individuals left in the wild. For this reason, catching animals is strictly prohibited, but this does not save the situation, since their number is affected by poor ecology and the presence of a large population of sharks in their habitat. They live exclusively in where they periodically suffer from fishing nets.

These porpoises are not very large - up to 150 cm in length and 50 kg in weight. They have a gray body with large black "glasses" around the eyes. The lower part, like most members of the family, is lighter than the upper. The herd animal is rather slow, avoiding noise, people and everything connected with them.

Argentine variety

It is named so due to its habitat. Lives mainly in the waters of the Pacific Ocean near South America, sometimes found in the Atlantic. It differs from its relatives in the ability to live in a freshwater environment for quite a long time. Argentine porpoises often swim in estuaries in search of prey. They can stay there for weeks, moving upstream up to 50 km.

Unlike their relatives, these whales love loneliness. They have rather large powerful bodies (up to 180 cm in length). The color of the body is dark gray with a barely noticeable enlightenment towards the bottom. The main food of the animal is fish and squid.

Spectacled pig

She is the Atlantic, she got her first name, thanks to the dark circles around the eyes, reminiscent of glasses. The second is because of the habitat. This large animal (up to 2.2 meters in length) lives in small groups near the shore. It lives mainly in the cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean, but is also found in the Indian (near the Kerguelen archipelago) and the Pacific (off the coast of Tasmania and South Australia).

It differs from its brethren by a sharp transition of the black color of the back to the white belly. It looks like a young killer whale, but is not so aggressive in behavior. The eyes, located on a black head, are surrounded by white "glasses". Feeds on fish, crustaceans, mollusks.

white-winged porpoise

This largest member of the family grows up to 2 meters in length, and gains up to 220 kg in weight. Lives in the Bering, Okhotsk and Japan seas. Animals keep in groups of up to 20 individuals, feed on fish and shellfish. They lead a predominantly nocturnal lifestyle. They often keep killer whales company while hunting. Diving, they can reach a depth of half a kilometer, and, rising to the surface, they do not jump out of the water completely.

White spots on the sides of the black body are the main "special feature" from which this porpoise got its name. The dolphin can be covered with other, not so large light marks on the body. Sometimes there are completely black individuals.

Life in captivity

Since the trapping of most species of cetaceans is prohibited, they are not so often kept in artificial conditions. Basically, we are talking about oceanariums, research centers, dolphinariums and maritime theaters. Although the intelligence of animals cannot be called weak, they learn with great difficulty. For this reason, they are rarely used in representations.

The lack of freedom of movement and cramped space are extremely poorly tolerated by porpoises. With the wrong content, they often yearn, get sick and may even die. Feeding these pets can be difficult. After all, their daily diet includes fresh fish. The porpoise is a predator, and fastidious and voracious.

Human activity mainly affects the population of porpoises of all varieties. They suffer from environmental disasters, illegal fishing, and sometimes die, accidentally falling into the net. In some countries, they are still hunted using animal meat as food. But in most states, their capture is prohibited by law, and a certain punishment is provided for violation.

Porpoises are mammals that, along with dolphins, belong to toothed whales. However, there is no clear boundary between these two families. All of them are predators. Some keep in groups, others prefer loneliness, feed on fish and other marine life. In captivity, they live rarely and reluctantly, they are difficult to train. Some of the species are quite numerous, while others are on the verge of extinction.

Squad: rodents
Family: mumps
Genus: pigs
View: Cavia porcellus

It seems that everything in the world is known about guinea pigs. This is an almost ideal pet, which is perfect for luxury apartments, and for a country house, and for a tiny room in a communal apartment, because the pet's cage does not take up much space, and caring for it is extremely simple, easy, and in general very pleasant. Watching a guinea pig is very interesting, in addition, it is completely non-aggressive to humans, not shy, not stupid, beautiful and charming.

When a person wants to get an animal, he first of all turns to forums and communities on social networks. We will also advise you to do the same: after all, it is experienced pig breeders who will tell you much more about the content of this animal than all the “smart” books and articles. And since this issue of the magazine is a festive, New Year's Eve, today we will not scare you with difficulties, load veterinary problems and other serious issues, but introduce you to various "interesting things" and "utilities" that will help you look at the guinea pig more broadly and see it look in a whole new way!

"Sea" and "pigs": the etymology of the name

Everyone knows from childhood (or read in the literature) that the Russian-language name "guinea pig" comes from the adjective "overseas", that is, brought from overseas. This is a really plausible version, because they came to our country from Europe, where they became popular pets thanks to the efforts of travelers. However, not all so simple…

In England, this rodent is called Indian little pig - a small Indian pig, restless cavy - mobile, restless pig, guinea pig - Guinea pig, domestic cavy - domesticated pig (cavia), cavia pet. The South American Indians themselves call the guinea pig “Kavi” or “Kaviya”, and it was this local name that became the Latin name of the species cavia porcellus.

Of all the English names, the most interesting is the phrase "guinea pig". One version is that the British had more trade connections with Guinea (meaning the African country of Guinea, not the island of New Guinea) than with South America, and therefore were accustomed to looking at Guinea as part of India. The second version sounds like this: at first, the guinea pig came to Guinea, where the white-skinned settlers lived, and from there it came to the shores of foggy Albion.

The third opinion is quite different: it is assumed that in Europe, as in their homeland, the wonderful meat of guinea pigs sold in the markets was originally valued. Accordingly, guinea pig is not a “guinea” pig at all, but “a pig for a guinea”. A guinea was a gold coin that was in use until the 19th century, and it was called that because gold for the mint of England at that time was mined in Guinea. The fourth version of the English guinea pig name is generally ridiculous. Some researchers attribute it to the fact that the word "Guinean" was used by mistake: the pig originally came from Guiana - the place from where guinea pigs were exported to Europe with other valuable goods.

Note: Guiana or French Guiana was a region in the swampy area on the west coast of the South American continent. There is also a city of the same name, which had several ports and various offices and departments responsible for flights, checking cargo and documents arriving and departing, equipping ships, legality of trade operations, taxation of exports and imports, etc. .

Spanish speakers living in South America call the guinea pig a little rabbit, while the descendants of other colonists from time immemorial continue to call the rodent "little pig", i.e. use the name under which the animal came to Europe. But the “little rabbit” is already a typical mistake of immigrants. Seeing how the Indians use the meat of guinea pigs for food, they decided that this animal was some kind of small-town variety of rabbits, to which they were accustomed to in their homeland.

In France, the guinea pig is called cochon d'Inde - Indian pig, and in Spain - Cochinillo das India (translated in the same way). In its own way, “Indian pig” is called by all Europeans, and only the Belgians use a different name: mountain pig, pig from the mountains (cochon des montagnes). It remains a mystery: who was the first to call a guinea pig exactly “marine” and not some other? The answer will surprise you - it was the Germans. In German, the name of the rodent sounds like Meerschweinchen - sea little pig, sea little pig, little pig (Germans are very fond of long compound nouns). Experts have an interesting opinion on this matter.

The coincidence of Russian and German names may mean that guinea pigs came to our country from Germany. And, perhaps, it was there that they were originally called "overseas", as is commonly believed, but then the prefix "for" was shortened for convenience and brevity of pronunciation.

The word "Indian" in different languages ​​is interpreted as follows: Columbus, who discovered America, for a long time sincerely believed that he had sailed to India, and therefore the local tribes began to be called Indians, and in ancient languages ​​for a long time "Indians" and "Indians" were called the same word.

Having dealt with the sea, the Indians and other funny epithets, we will talk a little about the noun “pig” itself. Previously, all literary sources indicated that these rodents were named so because of the rounded proportions of the body, pretty appearance, sounds similar to grunting and squealing of piglets, as well as short clawed legs resembling pig hooves. The last two facts are very doubtful: pigs make very melodic sounds. They do not squeak, do not puff, do not snort, like most other rodents, but seem to “sing” their melodic whistling song, reminiscent of a bird trill. If you decide to buy this charming rodent, you have a long time to enjoy these delicious sounds, so there can be no talk of any grunting. The paws of rodents are also not like all paired and odd-toed ungulates of the world. They are soft, flexible, tenacious and dexterous, because they have to dig holes, run away from predators, maneuver among narrow crevices, etc.

1. Perhaps the Europeans, who first saw guinea pigs in the dwellings of the Indians, considered that they were similar to domestic pigs in their way of life: unpretentious, well tamed.
2. There are two words in English: pig - actually a pig that sits in a barn or runs along the street, and pork - pork, fillet pieces, pork tenderloin, smoked meat, bacon, etc. In all other European languages, there may not be such analogues and differences. Initially, the purpose of guinea pigs was still utilitarian (as a source of food), and not romantic (as a pet). Perhaps that is why, having tasted the tender, appetizing, delicious guinea pig meat, travelers compared it with high-quality pork or suckling pig, and named the animal that way.

Guinea pigs in the wild

The wild ancestor of our beloved pet and the domestic guinea pig are, although very close, but still different biological species. Wild guinea pigs live in South America to this day. The genus Cavia combines several similar rodent species, which can only be distinguished by a specialist rodentologist. Wild guinea pigs, depending on the species, habitat and Indian tribes living there, are called in local languages ​​not only cavia, but also aparea and gui . If we put together and summarize all the jargons and Indian dialects that later became Latin names, the Cavia genus also includes Cavia aparea from Brazil and Paraguay, Cavia tschudii and Cavia cutleri from the Andes valleys, Cavia nana from Bolivia and Cavia fulgida from the Amazon basin.

Wild guinea pigs differ from their domesticated relatives in a more slender body and greater mobility. These rodents are painted in black, brown, brown or gray. Most species dig holes, arranging shelters in the form of entire underground "towns" with a complex system of tunnels and passages. Some gilts build ground shelters from plants or use natural shelters for spending the night and breeding offspring: rock crevices, depressions near tree roots, under piles of stones, etc. The animals live in small colonies or flocks, each of which has its own clearly defined territory and leader - the oldest and most powerful and largest male.

Guinea pigs are very careful. Since they do not occupy the highest place in the food chain, their main trump card is fertility, vitality and the ability to skillfully hide from enemies. The animals have a well-developed hearing and sense of smell, they take turns resting and "keeping watch", guarding their territory and warning their relatives of impending danger. As soon as the shadow of a bird of prey appeared in the sky, some suspicious sounds were heard or a bush stirred, the “on duty” immediately notifies the flock with a kind of distress signal and the pigs instantly hide in a shelter. Another undeniable quality that allows the guinea pig to excel in the art of disguise is their fantastic cleanliness.

Like cats, these rodents are very fond of licking, combing with their paws and cleaning their fur, doing this on their own, as well as using grooming as a caress and a sign of attention to each other. Because of this manic passion for washing, the guinea pig is almost impossible to find by smell. The smell that comes from the unwashed cage of would-be hosts is due to the fact that these animals are placed in an artificial environment and are in a very cramped, limited space, where they are forced to eat, sleep, do their natural needs, and mark the territory . That is why it is necessary to observe elementary zoohygiene measures and keep the pet's home clean, but we will talk about this in more detail when we touch on the issues of keeping pigs in captivity.

Female guinea pigs are friendly and affectionate with each other; they do not “share power”, raise their cubs together and treat their fellow tribesmen equally friendly, but the males have a clearly defined hierarchy. Young, strong and dominating individuals may form the "retinue" of their "patriarch", but rivalry may inspire them to try to remove the leader, penetrate into foreign territory, leaving relatives, or establish their own clan.

Although wild guinea pigs are able to endure heat up to 30°C and even slightly higher for a long time, habitat conditions are natural for them, when the temperature ranges from 22°C during the day and 7°C at night. They do not tolerate cold and too strong tropical heat, as well as direct sunlight, so they do not live everywhere, but in those places where there are shelters, water sources, fresh greenery and a light breeze. Animals adapt well to different altitudes: they can be found both in the lowlands (rainforests of the Amazon basin) and in the cool highlands.

Wild guinea pigs feed on various plants, while roots, leaves, stems, seeds, shoots and some inflorescences are used. They almost never eat animal protein, they do not hunt insects, mollusks and other small animals, therefore they are rightfully considered herbivorous rodents.

Anna Kurtz

The common porpoise belongs to the family of porpoises of the cetacean order.

A characteristic feature of distribution is that it lives only in the northern hemisphere. Representatives of this species can be found close to the coast in the northern regions of the Atlantic Ocean. On the territory of Russia, these are the Barents, White and Baltic Seas. The habitat of the harbor porpoise population is the coastal waters of Spain, Great Britain, France, Scandinavia, and Ireland.

Off the cold coast of Greenland, Newfoundland, Iceland, the appearance of common porpoises was noted. The habitat of this mammal in the Pacific Ocean is the Bering Strait, the Sea of ​​Japan, the coast of Alaska and the east coast of North America (to California). Animals of this species also live in the Black, Azov Seas and in the north of the Aegean Sea.

The harbor porpoise has a population of approximately 700,000 individuals, and half of this number spends their lives on the north Atlantic coast.

Appearance of a porpoise

The harbor porpoise is relatively small in size - the length of the dense body is 1.4-1.9 meters. At the same time, females are larger and heavier than males.

The weight of the female, on average, is 76 kg, the male - 61 kg. This type of animal has a fin in the shape of a triangle on its back. The coloration of the upper body is dark gray or black, from the sides to the belly the color brightens - from rather light gray to white. Along the white belly of the animal are gray stripes that stretch to the throat.

The porpoise is a relative of dolphins.

Behavior and nutrition of the harbor porpoise

Like other representatives of this genus, the harbor porpoise never goes to the open sea, preferring to swim close to the coast. These mammals love to swim in bays, fjords, estuaries, where killer whales, their natural enemies, never visit.

The diet of porpoises is small fish, such as herring, capelin and Baltic herring. The animal can eat squid and crustaceans. In the depths of the ocean, not exceeding 200 meters, the harbor porpoise usually hunts. An adult needs to eat 7 kg per day. fish. A porpoise can stay under water for about 5 minutes, then it needs to surface to take a breath of air.

This mammal is a predator.

This species usually keeps in small groups and does not stray into large herds. Often they swim alone or in a small company of 5 individuals. Very little is known about the social structure of porpoise groups.

Porpoise societies and individuals do not like to move from place to place, preferring to be in one place. It often happens that these mammals swim into rivers and move upstream for long distances.

Reproduction and lifespan

Pregnancy in this species lasts 10-11 months, after which one cub is born. This usually happens in May-August. A newborn baby weighs between 6.5 and 10 kg and has a body length of 65-85 cm. A cub swims with its mother for up to a year.

Sexual maturity in individuals of this species occurs at 3-4 years. After its onset, the female brings offspring every year for several years. Mating occurs with several partners, randomly. Life expectancy of porpoises is 16-18 years.

Enemies of the porpoise

Whites are natural enemies of porpoises.

Guinea pigs are native to the Peruvian Andes. They were first domesticated by the Incas 3 thousand years ago, who raised them for food, and even now in Peru they are still bred for meat. These rodents are not pigs, and have nothing to do with the sea. They were called pigs, obviously because they usually they quietly grunt, and when frightened, they squeal like pigs. In the 16th century, the Spaniards brought them to Europe by sea. Therefore, they were called overseas, and later - sea.
Few of these animals remain in nature, now wild guinea pigs are found in the meadows and forest edges from Colombia and Ecuador to Argentina, as well as in the Andes at altitudes up to 4000 m. They live in burrows and cracks in the ground, are especially active at dusk, feed on grasses and undersized plants. Wild guinea pigs form small groups of up to 10 individuals, consisting of a leader male and his “harem” of several females. Young males are expelled by the father at the latest - at the age of four months. In North America and Europe, these affectionate, fluffy animals have become favorites of children and have won general recognition. Now you can find both ordinary light brown guinea pigs and their forms of a wide variety of colors. Varieties with decorative wool like Abyssinian and Peruvian pigs are good for exhibitions but require regular maintenance.
Guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) Length 8 cm; strong body, short legs, petal-like ears. Life span 4-5 years.

Variety examples:

1. Tortoiseshell with white - short-haired variety. (Shorthaired gilts also include solid colors, Himalayan, Dutch, and agouti.)
2. American crested - different color, crest on the forehead.
3. Abyssinian wirehaired pig, wool grows in rosettes.
4.Peruvian long-haired pig, the wool completely covers the muzzle. (Silkies and shelties are long-haired pigs with an open muzzle.)

Behavior

Guinea pigs are active during the day, but they are not very playful and react little to humans. You can keep them alone or in groups, but you can’t unite males who will fight. Pigs do not smell. They make different sounds - grunting, squeaking and whistling.

Wooden houses can be used - 45 x 60 x 45 cm for one pig. The bottom should not be made of wire, but of wood. Use sawdust and hay as bedding. Once a week, the house should be thoroughly cleaned.

Feeding

Guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C and therefore need to be given to them. Guinea pigs thrive on vitamin fortified specialty pig foods, good hay and supplements of greens, grass clippings (not treated with pesticides), carrots, turnips, and sometimes bran and oil from wheat germ. If you feed rabbit or oats instead of guinea pigs, vitamin C supplements will be needed. Clean water should be available at all times. Do not overfeed the animals - give about a handful of food per day.

Guinea pigs should be picked up more often so that the animals do not get nervous. When lifting the pig, carefully grasp its body.

Hair care

Long-haired gilts need frequent combing with a fine comb or brush.

Signs of disease:

1 Lethargy. Reluctance to move.
2 Unsteadiness, poor coordination.
3 Sneezing, nasal discharge. Cough. Labored breathing.
4 Dull eyes with discharge from them or swollen. Constant rapid eye movements from side to side.
5 Head tilted to the side (ear infection).
6 Ears with scabies (scabies).
7 Dull, disheveled coat.
8 Ulcers, cysts or tumors.
9 Misshaped teeth.
10 Dirty muzzle (irregular shape of teeth).
11 Loss of hair on the face and body.
12 Ulcers on the paws. Ingrown nails (especially in guinea pigs).
13 weight loss.
14 Bringing the hind legs.
15 Joint stiffness.
16 Abnormal swelling or protrusion of the rectum.
17 Tail swollen, scaby or ulcerated.
Particular problems are vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs - joint stiffness, significant weight loss, hair loss.

Mating and pregnancy

One male to 2 or more females. (More for commercial breeding.) Females can be used for breeding from the age of 1 year. The male does not need to be removed. A nest box and hay are needed. Pregnancy lasts 70 days, the cubs in the litter are 3. The mother feeds milk for 2.5 weeks. The cubs are born covered with wool and with open eyes. At the age of 1 day they can gnaw hay. Young gilts should be separated to avoid early mating (females can breed from 5 weeks of age). Sexual maturity occurs at 5-10 weeks, the first mating is 5 months.
Many children and adults keep guinea pigs at home. These pets are not very large, and their maintenance is usually inexpensive. For children, the best option of all rodents is the guinea pig. But she needs at least one to feel good.
relative, because in nature these animals live in groups! And you need to take into account that animals are not toys, but living beings. They need free space, regular care, and sometimes expensive visits to the vet.

They are found only in the north in the coastal regions of the Atlantic Ocean. It mainly lives in the north of the West African coast, in the waters of Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland, off the coast of Greenland and Newfoundland. Lives off the west coast of the United States.

As for the Pacific Ocean, the harbor porpoise is attracted by the Sea of ​​Japan, the Bering Strait. Also, this species is found off the coast of Alaska and North America up to California, in the Black Sea.

Porpoises prefer coastal areas and do not risk swimming into the open ocean. The daily diet consists mainly of small fish. The preference is given to capelin, herring, herring. In rare cases, they can eat squid, crustaceans, algae. Animals can eat up to 10 kg of fish per day.

Porpoises do not form large herds. The maximum that can be seen is a group of 4-5 individuals. Most often they prefer to swim alone. They gather in large herds only during the course of the school of fish. Animals are not prone to migration and stay in one place all their lives.

Social communication between representatives of the species is poorly developed. Stable relationships exist only between the female and her cub, and then until puberty. They communicate with each other using clicks and whistles. They often swim into rivers and move deep into the depths for many kilometers to the mouth of the river. Fleeing from killer whales, they can swim into the fjords.

Porpoises are excellent swimmers. They prefer to move right under the surface of the water. Thus, the water practically does not move and it is very difficult to notice them. Although they look like dolphins, they differ in behavior. They are not as friendly, do not try to contact divers and do not swim up to them. They rarely jump out of the water. In some places there are porpoises that can emerge from the water and swim on their tail, but this happens extremely rarely.

Animals hunt in the water column no deeper than 200 meters. It can dive for 5 minutes, after which it floats up to breathe.
Vessels do not pursue porpoises. They like to lie down to dry on the shore.

The mating season of sea pigs

The breeding season for porpoises starts in May and ends in August. Females mate with several individuals. The gestation period lasts 10-11 months. They usually give birth to one or two young. Newborns weigh 6-10 kg, body length 60-80 cm. The mother feeds them with her milk for six months and takes care of them until they are one year old.

Young pigs can breed at the age of 3-4 years. The female can produce offspring every year. The break takes only a few years.
Most mammals live no more than 20 years. Most often it is 16-18 years old.

Enemies of mosquitoes

Danger for porpoises in the aquatic environment are killer whales and white sharks. Threaten porpoises and bottlenose dolphins. They do not hunt for food. By destroying them, bottlenose dolphins reduce competition for the fish they feed on.

Also suffer from lampreys. They leave spots or open sores on the body of porpoises.

The porpoise population is affected by:

• global warming;
• poaching;
• intensive fishing;
• ocean pollution;
• military training.

A large number of porpoises die from harsh climatic conditions among the ice.

Harbour porpoise is endangered, therefore it is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and in the International Red Book. Catching these mammals is prohibited by law. In case of violation of the law, the poacher is obliged to pay a fine.

Specialized extraction of these animals is not carried out, but it is not uncommon for porpoises to accidentally fall into the nets while fishing, a significant part of them die. If this happens, the fishermen are obliged to immediately carefully, in order to avoid injury, untie the animal from the nets and release it to freedom.

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