The birthplace of the guinea pig is the origin of the name. Why the guinea pig is so called - interesting hypotheses and the history of the domestication of the rodent. Where did the word "Guinea" come from in the name?

24.10.2019

Guinea pigs are fluffy, kind harmless creatures with a pleasant smooth coat and an intelligent look. Arriving in Europe from South America they quickly spread around the world. At one time, the meat of guinea pigs was even eaten. Today, these are pets, the care of which is minimal, but the emotional return is very high. For their warmth and good-natured disposition, pigs are very fond of children. And if you set a goal to breed these animals, you can get up to a hundred cubs a year.

History of guinea pigs

Many people wonder why guinea pigs are called that way. They have nothing to do with the sea or pigs. However, there is a version that they were called marine because the animals spread from west to east, and were brought to Russia by ship. This name came to Russian from Germany, while in other countries rodents are called "Indian". And they were called pigs by the Spaniards, who first appeared in Peru and saw animals on the market that, in their opinion, looked like milk pigs. These animals came to Europe in the 16th century, according to one version they were very expensive, and according to another, on the contrary, they were cheap and even used for food. The facts are reliable that many owners in those days lowered poor pigs into water jars and aquariums, assuming that these animals would swim.

Guinea pigs are native to South America. According to scientists, the history of these animals has more than thirty-five million years. The Incas sacrificed animals to the sun god, and some tribes used the meat of pigs for food. Modern pigs in conditions natural environment habitats live in marshy lowlands and in rocky places. They are more active at night, going for food. There are different breeds of guinea pigs, each with its own coat type. The most common are American, or short-haired animals, shelties with long hair, coropets with a rosette on their heads, tessels with wavy hair. Each breed is represented by many color variations. Red, yellow, chestnut, apricot, brown and black - the choice of coat color is huge.

Rules for keeping and caring for guinea pigs

All guinea pigs, regardless of breed, are non-aggressive, which is why children love them so much. Animals do not bite, they love affection and attention, they are friendly and quick-witted. You can feed them grass and cheap vegetable feed. However, like any other animal, guinea pigs also have their drawbacks, such as the presence of a specific smell and the need for careful care if the pet has long hair. But they easily endure separation if the owners suddenly went on vacation and temporarily gave the pet into the wrong hands. Guinea pigs must be kept in specially equipped cages. In the first few days, the animal is likely to hide in a corner and hide under the straw, which is understandable in an unfamiliar environment. Guinea pigs are very shy and quickly panic, so it's worth waiting until the animal gets used to the new home. It will not be long before he begins to recognize his owners, especially those who will feed him.

Do not forget that guinea pigs do not tolerate bathing. Dip them in water only in exceptional cases, using a mild baby shampoo. These animals need to regularly cut their nails, otherwise they begin to grow incorrectly, forming bends and sagging, and sometimes even curls in the form of a corkscrew. Those who are thinking about breeding guinea pigs should keep in mind that these animals are very prolific. Already a month after the birth, the females become sexually mature, and the gestation period for pets is about seventy days. One female per year guinea pig can bring up to a hundred cubs. Best of all, two females get along in one cage. They behave calmly, without showing any aggression. But two males will definitely fight, inflicting severe injuries on each other. Of course, the guinea pig requires an attentive attitude and careful care, but in return, she gives warmth and love to those who take care of her.

Anastasia Rylova

Guinea pig- one of the most popular animals that people keep at home. Pigs are chosen as pets for their unpretentiousness in care, modest disposition and friendliness. And the most frequently asked question, which the owners of charming fluffies ask themselves: Why is a guinea pig called a guinea pig? After all, she has nothing to do with the sea, she does not like to swim, and even seafood in her diet is superfluous. The cheat sheet will help answer this question 😉

Why is the pig named guinea pig?

Strange: a pig, and even a sea one, but the animal has nothing to do with pigs or the sea. This rodent is not a close relative of the porcupine. But in everyday life he is very talkative, and when he hears the sounds associated with cooking, he gets excited and starts squealing like a piglet - that’s how the “mumps” turned out. And the nose of a guinea pig is very similar to a piglet. You just look:

And there is also an explanation for the fact that it is marine: the homeland of the animal is America, and it turned into an “overseas pig”, and then completely into a sea pig. Here why is the guinea pig called that, and not otherwise

At first glance, it seems strange that an animal, unable to swim, climb, or dig holes, feels very well in a natural setting and, one might even say, thrives. The fact is that the composition of the landscape of her homeland includes dense thickets of shrubs and animals perfectly know how to hide in them.

The animal has changed markedly due to the patronage of man. Wild, it is colored modestly so as not to be conspicuous: dark brown, slightly reddish, with very small dark ripples on the back and sides and a light red belly or motley - white-yellow-black. And there is no one to hide from at home, and people bring out white, and black, and black and yellow pigs, which in itself is very interesting.

Domesticated pigs also differ in the structure of their hair: there are Angora pigs, with elongated hair, and swirling ones with rosettes.

If you are interested in crossbreeding work, then you can combine both of these features and get completely unusual beast, resembling a porcupine, with the difference, of course, that it does not have needles sticking out in different directions, but long hairs.

Guinea pig: character and habits

Guinea pigs are quickly and easily tamed, quickly begin to recognize the person caring for them. With the ability to handle them, they easily and calmly sit on their hands and are quite easy to train. Their paws cannot hold food. But they are good with their teeth and can ring the bell, raise the flag.

The offspring of pigs is very small. Three cubs is already a lot for a guinea pig, but usually there are one or two. And for the initial study of the heredity of the transmission of traits corresponding to the so-called Mendel's laws, guinea pigs are very suitable. In particular, the so-called dominant (dominant) and recessive (returning) sequences can be clearly observed on them.

What scientists consider a lack of animals - moderate fecundity makes it convenient for home content. If there is a pair of pigs in a cage, then in two months there will be an offspring. Babies are very funny and independent, they quickly get used to adult food, like rabbits, they run around in the very first hours after birth, they are already covered in fur, and even their eyes are open.

These are surprisingly comfortable animals: they do not climb anywhere, they do not have the habit of nibbling at night or running, they do not interfere with sleeping people and can live in the most simple rooms. But if it’s with “comfort”, then you need a spacious box or a mesh cage measuring 40 × 70 centimeters, and inside there is a small wooden house, where the pigs will sleep.

But, of course, pigs are not without "flaws". They catch cold easily, you need to protect them from drafts. And they love the world. If the cage is in a dark corner, then it would be nice to put a table lamp nearby.

Pigs are famous for their peaceful disposition, they can be freely picked up. But they also know how to fight, and quite hard. The writer of these lines once, while trying to separate the fighting males, received a bite on the base of the palm and then for several years wore a mark as a memory of the results of the “unsuccessful peace initiative”.

Therefore, you must first study the temper of your wards, and only then become familiar. Each guinea pig- mine character and habits.

The answer to the question why the guinea pig is so called is a subject of interest even for those who are far from breeding these animals. There are several versions of the origin of this name. We present a mini-investigation about guinea pigs: where did this phrase come from, which does not fit with taxonomic definitions - family, genus and species criteria.

The first part of the investigation: why the "mumps"

There are 3 versions of why these cute animals are called pigs:

Sounds: what they make is really like grunting.

Body proportions: they have no waist, small head and very short neck.

Behavior: Pets constantly gnaw something. On ships they were kept in the same pens where ordinary pigs were driven.

The second part. Guinea pig - why "sea"

The name "guinea pig" is borrowed from the Polish language - świnka morska. And the Poles, in turn, borrowed it from the Germans - Meerschweinchen. The literal translation sounds like this - "guinea pig". There is a possibility that this is a German word - a derivative of merswin, which means "dolphin". The screech of rodents really resembles a dolphin's squeak.

Foreign titles

The name of the animal is literally translated from English as Guinea pig. This is another mystery because they have nothing to do with Guinea, which is in Africa. Zoologists have built 3 hypotheses:

“Guinean” means “outlandish”, brought from afar;
it is possible that the animals were sold for 1 guinea - a coin;
in South America there was a French colony with a similar name - Guiana. Love simply mixed up the letters and began to call Guinean pigs;
the animals were not imported directly, but through the ports of Guinea, which was also a colonial territory of France.

The guinea pig (lat. Сavia porcellus) is a domesticated mammalian rodent belonging to the genus Mumps and the Mumps family. Even despite its very original name, this species mammals is not related to pigs or marine life.

Origin story

Domestication of guinea pigs occurred in the fifth millennium, even before our era, with active participation Andean tribes in South America. Such animals were actively used as food by ancestors modern residents southern Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. It is generally accepted that wild guinea pigs themselves sought warmth and protection in a human dwelling.

The Incas have a guinea pig for a long time was a sacrificial animal, so often such mammals were sacrificed to the god of the Sun. Particularly popular were animals with a variegated brown or pure white color. The ancestor of modern domesticated guinea pigs was Savia arerea tschudi, which is found in the southern regions of Chile, in places located at an altitude of no more than 4.2 thousand meters above sea level.

It is interesting! Mammals of this species unite in small groups and settle in fairly spacious underground burrows.

His appearance and the body structure of C.arerea tschudi differs markedly from the currently known domestic guinea pigs, which is due to the food base, poor in water and rich in cellulose compounds.

Description of the guinea pig

According to zoological taxonomy, guinea pigs (Cavis cobaya) are prominent representatives families of semi-hoofed rodents and have a characteristic appearance, as well as a special structure.

Appearance

Body structure, guinea pigs are very similar to the basic anatomical parameters and characteristics of most domesticated animals. However, known and whole line notable differences:

the guinea pig has a pronounced cylindrical body shape, as well as a total length, usually in the range of 20-22 cm, but some mature individuals may be slightly longer;
the spine of the animal is represented by seven cervical, twelve thoracic, six lumbar, four sacral and seven tail vertebrae;
the guinea pig, as such, has no tail, and such an animal is almost completely devoid of clavicles;
male guinea pigs are slightly heavier than females, and the weight of an adult animal can vary between 0.7-1.8 kg;
guinea pigs have very short legs, with both forelimbs noticeably shorter than the hind ones;
on the front paws there are four fingers, and on the hind legs - three, which, with their external characteristics resemble miniature hooves;
the coat of a guinea pig grows at an average rate of 0.2-0.5 cm within one week;
the sacral region is characterized by the presence of sebaceous glands, and the skin folds near the genitals and anus have para-anal glands with a specific secret;
the head of an adult guinea pig is quite large, with a fairly well-developed brain;
the incisors of a mammal grow throughout life, and average speed growth processes is approximately one and a half millimeters per week;
the difference between the lower jaw of a guinea pig is the ability to move freely regardless of direction;
the total length of the intestine significantly exceeds the size of the body of a mammal, so the process of digestion can be delayed for a week.

The color, structural parameters and length of the coat can be very different, which is directly dependent on the main breed characteristics. There are individuals with both very short and incredibly long, wavy or straight hair.

Character and lifestyle

AT natural conditions wild guinea pigs prefer to be most active in the morning or just after dusk. The mammal is quite agile, knows how to run fast and always tries to stay alert. See wild pig possible not only in highlands but also in forest areas. Guinea pigs do not like to dig holes and prefer to build a nest in a quiet and secluded place. To create a reliable and safe shelter, dry grass, fluff and fairly thin twigs are used.

It is interesting! Domesticated guinea pigs are widely used not only as unpretentious pets, but are also bred in vivariums at various research institutes.

A wild animal is very social, therefore it lives in a common area in a large flock, among its relatives.. Each flock or family is characterized by the presence of one male, which can have from ten to twenty females. At home, guinea pigs are kept in ordinary cages with enough space for walking, due to the activity of the animal. Such pets sleep several times a day, and if necessary, the guinea pig is able to rest without even closing its eyes.

How long does a guinea pig live

The average life expectancy of a wild guinea pig, as a rule, does not exceed seven years, and a domestic mammal, subject to the rules of care and the organization of a competent diet, may well live for about fifteen years.

Guinea pig breeds

Decorative guinea pigs are among the most popular pets, which has led to the development of an incredible number of original and unusual breeds this unpretentious animal:

the breed is distinguished by thick and beautiful, curly and long hair. Pigs have two rosettes on the back, as well as one, irregular in shape, on the forehead. The hair growing in the forward direction in the muzzle forms sideburns, and the limbs are overgrown with wool exclusively from the bottom up;
the Texel breed has a very beautiful and curly coat, which looks a bit like wet perm. Thanks to a very unusual and attractive hairline, the Texel breed is one of the most popular in many countries;
the Abyssinian breed is one of the most beautiful and oldest, distinguished by a hard coat with several rosettes in the form of a fairly long hair cov. Pigs of this breed are incredibly mobile and are characterized by excellent appetite;
The Merino breed has a long and curly coat, as well as distinctive, well-developed cheeks and sideburns. Breed features are large eyes and ears, a short head, as well as a strong and compact physique. On the pig's head is a symmetrical and noticeably raised "Crown";
The Peruvian breed is distinguished by a long and beautiful coat that does not need special or too complicated care. Owners of a guinea pig of this breed often use special curlers for their pet's hair to prevent excessive contamination of long hair;
the Rex breed is one of the short-haired, so the fur is distinguished by an unusual structure of hairs that visually make domestic pig like a cute plush toy. In the area of the head and back, the coat is more rigid;
the Cornet breed in some countries is called "Crested" or "Wearing the Crown", which is explained by the presence of a special rosette between the ears. The breed is distinguished by the presence of long hair all over the body. The progenitors of the Cornet were the Sheltie and Crested breeds;
the breed is characterized by a long and straight, very silky coat, as well as the presence of a kind of mane in the head area, falling on the shoulders and back of the pig. Animals short-haired from birth receive their full-fledged coat only by the age of six months.

It is interesting! Guinea pigs of the Baldwin breed look very exotic and unusual, having soft and elastic, completely bare skin, and a few subtle and not too long hairs can only be present on the animal's knees.

During the first few days after purchase, a pet guinea pig tends to be lethargic and very quiet, which is due to standard adaptation. pet. At this time, the animal is very shy, has a poor appetite and sits for a long time, frozen in one place. To facilitate the period of adaptation for the rodent, it is necessary to create an absolutely calm and friendly atmosphere in the room.

Cage, filling

By their nature, guinea pigs are shy animals, reacting heavily to any change of scenery or too loud sounds. For their maintenance, you can use a terrarium or a cage with a pallet, but the second option is preferable. The cage houses a house for sleeping or relaxing, as well as game attributes, feeders and drinkers. The dimensions of the house are selected taking into account the size of the animal.

Care, hygiene

A pet must be protected not only from drafts, but also from prolonged exposure to direct sun rays. Water procedures carried out as needed, and the coat is combed weekly. A couple of times a year, you can trim uncut naturally claws.

Show animals will require increased attention, which early age are taught to sit in a motionless, strictly defined posture. Long-haired pets must be accustomed to the daily process of combing, as well as winding hair on special papilottes. Smooth-haired and wire-haired gilts should be trimmed periodically.

Guinea pig diet

Under natural habitat conditions, guinea pigs feed on roots and seeds of plants, foliage, berries and fruits that have fallen from trees or shrubs. The main food of a domestic guinea pig can be represented by high-quality hay, which normalizes the state of the digestive tract and allows the animal to grind down its teeth. Due to the special structure digestive system, such pets eat food quite often, but in relatively small portions.

Very relevant in the diet of a rodent are different succulent feed, which can be represented by apples, lettuce, carrots and other vegetables. Sweet fruits, fruits and berries are given as treats. For effective grinding of teeth, the animal is given apple or cherry branches, celery or dandelion root. It is necessary to install a drinker with clean and fresh water in the pig's cage, which in without fail must be replaced daily.

It is important to remember that guinea pigs are herbivores, so any food of animal origin should be excluded from the diet of such a pet. Among other things, lactose is not absorbed by adult animals, so supplementing the diet of such a pet with milk can cause indigestion. Any poor-quality food and abrupt change diet cause serious illness, and sometimes become the main cause of death.

Health, disease and prevention

An unbalanced diet or overfeeding can cause a pet to fast development severe obesity.

Reproduction and offspring

It is best to mate guinea pigs for the first time at the age of six months. The female's estrus period lasts sixteen days, but fertilization is possible only for eight hours, after which pregnancy occurs, ending in two months with the appearance of offspring.

A week before the onset of labor, the female expands the pelvic part. In a litter, most often there are from two to three to five cubs. Newborn guinea pigs are well developed and quite capable of moving independently. The female most often feeds her offspring for no longer than two months.

domestic guinea pig(from lat. Cavia porcellus) is a mammalian animal from the order of rodents and belongs to the mumps family. These animals were domesticated in ancient times by the Inca tribes. Nowadays, there are more than 20 types of guinea pigs kept at home: Angora (long hair), rosette (Abyssinian) (hair grows in the form of a rosette on the head), English Shorthair, etc. The growth of the animals does not exceed 35 cm, and the body is covered with wool. They have four toes on their front paws and three on their back paws. The life expectancy of animals is six to eight years. Puberty in males occurs at two months, in females at five. Pregnancy varies from 60 to 65 days. In one litter there can be from one to seven cubs, depending on the breed (multiple and infertile).

Guinea pigs are so named because they live in the sea. In fact, they were so nicknamed due to the fact that these animals came to Europe from South America, which, as you know, is located overseas. By the way, these animals live there to this day, moreover, in the form of wild animals. Once in Europe, the animals were called overseas pigs, and a little later the prefix "for" was cut off and the name "marine" was obtained.

Domestic guinea pigs should live in an aquarium with water. Well, this is utter nonsense! In such a "house" they will not last long, they will drown. Pigs are kept in ordinary cages specially designed for domesticated rodents (hamsters, mice, etc.).

These animals are called "pigs" because they are unclean. In fact, these animals make a sound very similar to the grunt of a real pig. That is why the animals are called "pigs". Also, there is a version that they were so nicknamed because of special structure heads.

Comes from guinea pigs bad smell and a lot of dirt. If, say, a month does not put things in order in the animal's cage, then of course it will smell bad. If after him periodically clean and clean the cage, then bad smell will not. The only things that animals can smell of are sawdust (which serve them as bedding) and hay (food). In addition, pigs wash themselves with their front paws every day, which indicates their cleanliness.

Pigs can bite. In most cases, these animals are not aggressive and treat others peacefully. The guinea pig prefers to run and hide from danger rather than defend itself. If she has nowhere to hide, then she hides in a far corner and you can hear her teeth chattering. In order for this animal to bite, you need to “get it” very strongly.

Guinea pigs don't make much noise. Controversial assertion. At the slightest rustle, the animal can make a sound that is not at all quiet, with which he is trying to tell about his condition (joy, greeting, fear ...). Moreover, sounds can be in the form of whistling, squealing, gurgling, grunting, etc.

Guinea pigs do not need to drink water, they get the necessary amount of liquid from fruits and vegetables. No one on our earth can live without water. creature, including the guinea pig. Therefore, a drinking bowl with water must be present in the cage. A pregnant guinea pig especially needs water, since in such an "interesting" position she needs twice as much liquid as usual.

About a week before giving birth, a pregnant guinea pig needs to reduce her food intake, otherwise she will not be able to give birth. Do not feed enough of an animal, especially a pregnant one - this is a real mockery! This approach can adversely affect the health of the female and her offspring. On the contrary, during this period, the female needs double care and triple nutrition, because she needs useful material and vitamins.

Guinea pigs tend to give birth early in the morning when it's quiet. Is not a fact. With the same success, they can give birth in the afternoon, and in the evening, and at night. As for silence, at the time of childbirth, the female is focused on the process itself, so her surroundings are of little interest to her.

These animals eat leftovers from the "master's table" and food waste. Such a "menu" will quickly bring the animal "to the grave." Guinea pigs are very delicate creatures that need a complete, balanced diet. They must include in their diet various vegetables, grain mixture and hay.

These are uninteresting animals, since you can’t teach them anything, and therefore, they don’t know how to do anything except eat and sleep. One can argue with this. Guinea pigs are very easy to train. They are quite capable of distinguishing their bowl by color, ringing a bell, responding to their name, guessing a melody, and much more. The main thing here is to be patient (however, as with any other animal) and the result will not be long in coming.

Guinea pigs should not be overfed with carrots. That's what's impossible, that's impossible. And this is due to the fact that the beta-carotene contained in carrots is processed by the liver of the animal into vitamin A, which the pig has more than enough of. As a result, an "overdose" can occur, which will adversely affect the animal's liver.