The Guinea Pig Way and other interesting Guinea Pig facts

November 30, 10:49 AMDC Pet Care ExaminerErin Paquette

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Known mainly as the choice pet for children, Guinea Pigs are actually far more interesting than their reputation would lead you to believe. Check out the video “The Guinea Pig Way” by clicking below, and read on to find out more interesting facts about Guinea Pigs.

• A Guinea Pig is also known as a Cavy
   
• A male Guinea Pig is called a Boar
   
• In some cultures, Guinea Pigs are kept as a source of food
   
• Guinea Pig teeth never stops growing!
   
• Guinea Pigs can eat solid food the first day they’re born
   
• The Incas used to farm Guinea Pigs for food
   
• Guinea Pigs appeared in Europe starting around the year 1500
   
• Guinea Pigs originated in the Andes mountains
   
• The common Guinea Pig was first domesticated as early as 5000 BC for food by tribes in the Andean region of South America (present-day Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia)
   
• Guinea Pigs play a role in traditional healing rituals by folk doctors -- rubbed against the bodies of the sick, and are seen as a supernatural medium
   
• Queen Elizabeth had a pet Guinea Pig (click here to read more)
   
• The German word for them is Meerschweinchen, literally "little sea pigs"
   
• Sailors used Guinea Pigs as transportable meat
   
• Guinea Pigs cannot climb anything
   
• Guinea Pigs can remember a set course for months
   
• When Guinea Pigs are happy, they will often hop in the air (not very high, of course)
   
• Guinea Pigs are great swimmers
   
• Guinea Pigs have bad eyesight

To get your fill of even more Guinea Pig cuteness, watch the video below and check out some of the external links at the bottom of this article.

To learn more about Guinea Pigs, please visit the following sites: 

• THE AMERICAN CAVY BREEDERS ASSOCIATION
• CAVYSPIRIT.COM
• GUINEAPIGSCLUB.COM
• GUINALYNX.COM
• GUINEAPIGHOME.COM

If you liked this article, check out our articles "Boogie Boogie Hedgehog and other interesting hedgehog facts" and "Fun Turkey facts: before and after they become Thanksgiving dinner."

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