The first part of the name may have been derived from the price of the animal in 16th and 17thcentury englandthat is, possibly one guineaor it may have arisen from the animals being carried to european markets after first being transferred to ships in ports in guinea. We have highlighted a few topics, others will be released as need arises. Do not provide your guinea pig with an exercise wheel. Guinea pig classification and evolutionthe guinea pig also known as a cavy is a small species of rodent that is found inhabiting the central andes mountains in south america. It provides colorful photographs and contains 62 slides. They are native to africa and the most common of the guinea fowl, the helmeted guinea fowl have been introduced in many other countries around the world including the us. Boar adult male reach sexual maturity at 35 weeks sow adult female can reach sexual maturity as early as 4 weeks and can carry litters before they are adults. But guinea pig status is not what congress promised the public more than twenty years ago. Fun facts guinea pig babies are born fully furred with their eyes open. Instead, it established a national policy that the risks of toxic chemicals in our environment would be identified and controlled. Clean, fresh, filtered, chlorinefree water, changed daily. Description and physical characteristics of guinea pigs. Guinea pigs wear down their teeth by eating, chewing, and grinding food.
Require 30 to 50 mg of vitamin c daily from highquality food, vitamin supplements or fruits and vegetables high in vitamin c. Mar 29, 2019 because a guinea pig needs to be handled gently, and with two hands, it is best if only older children and adults pick up a guinea pig. Website 4 see lots of examples of different guinea pig breeds with a clickable photo guide. The world record for longest guinea pig jump was by truffles, who cleared a gap of 48cm in 2012. Most guinea pigs are of least concern on the endangered species list, however one species, santa catarinas guinea pig, is critically endangered. Housing you need to be well prepared for the arrival of your new guinea pig.
Endangered means a species is considered in danger of extinction throughout all or a. It is the 54th largest country in the world in terms of land area with 462,840 square kilometers 178,700 square miles. Guinea pigs originally come from the andes mountains in south america. The guinea pig is a native of peru, brazil, and argentina that was domesticated by the inca indians. How to take care of a pregnant guinea pig giving birth. Port moresby, also referred to as pom city or simply. How to take care of a guinea pig fact file teacher made. The american society for the prevention of cruelty to animals national headquarters 424 east 92nd street, new york, ny 101286804 2128767700. The feet have hairless soles and short sharp claws. The guinea pig, also known as a avy, are from the rabbit family. Guinea pig pups are precocial, which is a developmental strategy whereby the young are relatively mobile and mature from birth. They originate from the grasslands and lower slopes of the andes mountains in south america.
Pigs are very smart and can be trained to do tricks. Youll be asked several questions about guinea pigs, including what they eat, how long they live and what type of animal they are. Learn all you wanted to know about animals with pictures, videos, facts, news, and more. The hay that guinea pigs snack on looks a bit like their bedding, and you dont want your new guinea pig dining on its mattress. Breeding guinea pigs are not recommended as the rate of pregnancy complications are very high. The guinea pig or domestic guinea pig cavia porcellus, also known as cavy or domestic cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the family caviidae and the genus cavia. The guinea pig was domesticated as early as 5000 b. Check out our range of fun guinea pig facts for kids. Packed full of fun features, jawdropping facts and aweinspiring photos itll keep you entertained for hours. Guide to guinea pig management introduction guinea pig rearing has become very popular in urban and rural farms due to its low capital requirement. Highquality guinea pig food, timothy hay and limited amounts of vegetables and fruits. The most common guinea pig accessories material is ceramic. A cage for a guinea pig food for a guinea pig taking care of your pet a happy, healthy guinea pig make a pet care idea web fun facts guide to rodents explains what a guinea pig is and how to care for it 24 pages. Crosswordkey become familiar with small animal terms.
If available, pigs, who are excellent swimmers, prefer water. Brazil is the largest country in south america and the fifth largest nation in the world. Educational resources wood green the animals charity. The oldest recorded guinea pig, snowball, lived to the ripe old age of 15, which earned a place in the guinness book of records. The life span of a guinea pig is between 4 7 years the better a guinea pig is looked after, the longer they will live. They do not burrow or build nests but seek shelter in the burrows of other animals. Discounted cavy health record book no longer available on guinea lynx. Literacy lessons in one language arts sixthgrade classroom. See if separation from other household pets is not an issue, an opentopped enclosure will allow you to pet and interact with your cavy more easily. Once you have picked himher up, support himher against your chest. Never leave a guinea pig unattended in the presence of a dog, cat, ferret or any other predatory animal size.
The mediumsized, black and white, female guinea pig was pronounced oreo, and the tiny, brownhaired guinea pig with a puff of white fur on her head was given the name, angel. The circumstances bringing the guinea pig into our homes means we may not even be sure of how old our cavies are, if they have yet reached sexual maturity or if they have been in contact with a male. Guinea pigs usually have litters of two to four pups. Sow adult female can reach sexual maturity as early as 4. It has borders with every south american country except chile and ecuador. Every other day, add some salad to their meal with kale, collard greens, zucchini, or shredded carrots pigs. Guinea pigs are highly social and herd formation has been observed in domesticated and wild guinea pig populations for discussion, see donnelly and brown 2004 and brewer et al. Fun guinea pig facts for kids interesting information about. A healthy weight of a guinea pig is between 700 and 1200g 1.
Guinea pigs have been identified as a viable source of protein in africa and they are gaining recognition as a healthier protein alternative than traditional sources. How does this resource excite and engage childrens learning. Despite their common name, guinea pigs are not native to guinea, nor are they closely biologically related to pigs, and the origin of the name is still unclear. Why not view our full guinea pig factfile pdf 44kb. Fun pig facts for kids interesting information about pigs. Check out our awesome range of animal facts for kids and learn some fun trivia about our friends in the animal kingdom. They should always have a friend as guinea pigs are social animals. It forms an enormous triangle on the eastern side of the continent with a 7,400km coastline along the atlantic ocean.
Named after guyana where they are found in the wild and pig resembling. To pick up your guinea pig, use one hand to support hisher chest and the other to support the hind end. Guinea pig pups are born with a full coat and claws, and are able to open their eyes straight away. Logo usage 2 color logo 1 color logo logo files will be supplied upon request by aspca creative services see page 14. If your guinea pig is overweight, exclude fruit from the diet as it is high in sugar. Find our magazine in all good newsagents, or become a subscriber and have it delivered to your door. Yes, they do roll in mud, but only because they cant sweat like people do.
All about guinea pigs animal welfare association of nj. As of 1 january 2017, the population of papua new guinea was estimated to be 7,866,753 people. Each additional guinea pig needs and extra two to four square feet. Guinea pigs belong to the rodent family and not the pig family. Did you scroll all this way to get facts about guinea pig accessories. When a possum attacked her pet guinea pig, yearold jemma woldhuis decided to create her own computer program to protect her beloved pet. Learn about the noises they make, what they eat, where they originated from and much more. The life span of a guinea pig is between 4 7 years the better a. You can tell that a guinea pig is happy because they. From cage setup to a healthy guinea pig diet, create a happy home for your small pet.
Guinea pigs are active up to 20 hours per day and sleep only for short periods. If conditioned correctly, guinea pigs can be adorable pets. Raise a healthy and happy guinea pig with the help of wikihow s guinea pigs articles. Download pdf lets talk about pets in your school and community our free, fun, interactive workshops are perfect for getting young people and their families talking about pets.
Signs that there could be a problem include a runny nose, coldness, your guinea pig being unusually inactive, or digestive problems. Did you know that the name for a male guinea pig is a boar, the name for a female guinea pig is a sow. Wire bound, clear cover, green 24 pound cover sheets, 6 plain paper text sheets, 6 plain paper weighttreatment sheets. In the 20th century, they were the most commonly used lab animal, giving rise to the popular phrase guinea pig for anyone subjected to. Grass is the guinea pigs main diet of food, they also need to eat fresh fruit and vegetables. The triumphs of recent biology understanding hereditary disease, the modern theory of evolution are all thanks to the fruit fly, the guinea pig, the zebra fish and a handful of other organisms, which have helped us unravel one of lifes greatest mysteries inheritance. Apr 19, 2020 guinea fowl are birds within the order of galliformes, which also includes such birds as turkey, grouse, chickens, quail and pheasant, along with a few others. Guinea pigs guinea pigs welfare tips, advice, health. Incredibly stunning facts about guinea pigs pet ponder. Fun guinea pig facts for kids interesting information. The origin of the colloquial name guinea pig is a subject of much debate. The guinea fowl interesting facts and information owlcation. My documentszoe files educationguinea pig info helpful hint guinea pigs need at least two square feet of cage space including space for their hiding places and food bowls. Insight into the biology and behaviour of guinea pigs can help you to understand your pet better, so check out our amazing facts.
Ignorance, pervasive and persistent over the course of twenty years, has made that promise meaningless. Guinea pig, cavia porcellus, a domesticated species of south american rodent belonging to the cavy family caviidae. Some basic facts by kathy january 26, 2011 comments 1 so youve thought about what pet will work in your house, what pet your kids will enjoy, and its come down to getting a guinea pig or two. Guinea pigs cannot manufacture their own vitamin c, so they must receive it from outside sources. In these cases, the subject will act as if she believes p, but. The worlds fastest 10m by a guinea pig was achieved by flash, who ran the distance in 8. Interesting facts about papua new guinea just fun facts. Provide a minimum of four square feet of cage space per guinea pig but please try to get as large a. Animals that are active at night are called nocturnal.
Every day, fill your guinea pigs food bowl with fresh hay. Guinea pigs are unable to make their own vitamin c so it needs to be supplemented into their diet. Composite photograph by joel sartore, national geographic photo ark. This standalone lesson could be read alone by students or presented to the class. Interesting facts and pet care suggestions are offered on guinea pigs through this factual powerpoint lesson. Your veterinarian will check your guinea pigs overall health, trim overgrown.
They did not originate from guinea but from the andes in south america. The fact that a colony is an outbred conventional one in no way justifies carelessness in these matters, particularly if the animals from such colonies are to be relied. Guinea pigs need company of their own kind and can be kept in same sex. They originated in the andes of south america, and studies based. If you are looking for some fun and interesting facts about guinea pigs to help with a homework project or maybe you are just really interested in them, then here are 50 fun facts about guinea pigs for kids to get you started. Pup a young guinea pig is born fully developed with a full coat of hair and eyes open. Gray wolves are listed as endangered in the southwest under the endangered species act esa and threatened throughout the lower 48 states. Before we can tend to the needs of our guinea pig, we need to ensure they are indeed pregnant. The next day, the students and guinea pigs participated in the naming ceremony. As a result, guinea pigs have learned to hide the fact that they are. Guinea pigs have a great sense of smell, hearing and even sound however their eyesight is weak in. How to have a happy guinea pig forgetmenot animal rescue uk 1 how to have a happy guinea pig first of all rescue one, please do not go to a breeder or a pet shop there are many sanctuaries out there, including ours that have many rescued guineas waiting for. Guinea pigs are popular as pets, due to their cuddly appearance and temperate, affectionate behavior. Guinea pig, picture 6 of 10 az animals animal facts.
See more ideas about pig facts, guinea pigs and guinea pig care. Cavy facts not required for cloverbud or young 10 6 equipment and supply inventory 5 7 feed records and expenses 5 810 expense and income worksheet all information complete. Read on and enjoy our interesting information about guinea pigs. Additional weight and treatment pages can be printed using our free pdf files. It resembles other cavies in having a robust body with short limbs, large head and eyes, and short ears. If you are looking for some fun and interesting facts about guinea pigs to help with a homework project or maybe you are just really interested in them, then here are 10 fun facts about guinea pigs to get you started. Hairless guinea pigs make great pets for those with allergies. Did you know that a baby guinea pig is called a pup. Please refer to the hscc food chart for a comprehensive list of fruits and veggies housingequipment guinea pigs need as much floor space as possible. Gestation, incubation, and longevity of selected animals.
Besides keeping your pets stress levels low by providing a nutritional diet, a healthy environment and proper handling, you should take your guinea pig for annual veterinary exams. Guinea pigs are natural prey animals and they usually hide any signs of suffering. For more information about rabbit nutrition and behaviors, visit your rabbits health you should visit a qualified exotics veterinarian at least. You need to keep an eye on your guinea pig and watch closely for any signs of illness. They are wholly vegetarian with a similar diet to that of a rabbit, which makes. We empower our members to increase their incomes through viable enterprises and this is just one of them. They are naturally clean, hardy, and are excel lent first pets for children. A guinea pigs teeth are open rooted and grow continuously throughout its life. Thus, it is important that your guinea pigs diet contain a sufficient amount of hay, grass, and abrasive foods to maintain healthy teeth at the proper length. Guinea pigs or cavies, to give them their proper name are fascinating. Guinea pigs continue to be an important source of meat in south america 2, have been a laboratory subject for over two hundred years 3 and are popular show and companion animals 4. Guinea pigs are some of the cutest and best pets that you could have.
People have free access to the island, so hunting and habitat loss are the biggest presumed threats. Website 5 helpful facts about small pets and how to choose the right one for you and your family. Guinea pigs live on average for 4 5 years but sometimes as long as 8 years. Therefore, it can live in virtually any productive habitat that can provide enough water to sustain large mammals such as pigs.
Young children can play with guinea pigs on the ground, or pet a guinea pig while its being held by an adult. Cavy a name commonly referred to guinea pigs interesting facts. Guinea pigs guinea pigs welfare tips, advice, health rspca. This animal originated in south america, but may have been given its name from guinea in west africa as standing for an unknown distant country. Qld guinea pig refuges guinea pig care guide weve put together a fantastic assortment of informa tion about general guinea pig care, housing, diet and common medical conditions that we hope you will find beneficial in the lead up to adopting and once you have piggies of your own. The plants and animals that taught us the facts of life. The article is fine although facts can be added like, the complete meaning of guinea pigs not only why is pig included in the name. Guinea pigs are diurnal and most active during the day. Pig fact sheet despite their reputation, pigs have many positive attributes including cleanliness, intelligence, and a social nature. They will start wandering around an hour after birth and can take solid food within a day or. Learn what you need to know to help your guinea pig live a long life, and care for it from the baby stage through old age. Wash the pig the day before the show either at home or at the show. Guinea pig is also slang for a person who is the first to try. Prepare to give your pregnant mum more fresh produce, as she will be eating for herself and her babies.
The wild pig sus scrofa can take advantage of any forage resources. When washing the pig, check carefully for mange, lice, and any other skin disorders and get them corrected before the show. Guinea pig pellets are the basis of your pets diet. Guinea pigs can be easily startled, so always let your guinea pig know you are there by speaking to them or letting them sniff your hand. There is no one perfect way to care for all guinea pigs because every guinea pig has their own personality and preferences. Guinea pigs have a sweet tooth and may eat the foods that are high in sugars instead of the beneficial greens. Timothy haybased pellets are recommended for adults, and avoid those made with nuts, seeds, dried fruits and corn products. Guinea pigs are generally hardy animals, but they are susceptible to many health problems if they are not cared for properly.
Aug 21, 20 50 fun facts about guinea pigs for kids. If there is increased foraging of wild pigs in certain areas, it can cause a nutritional shortage which can cause the pig population to decrease. Small animals and veterinary science b 3 1 9 6 2 7 8 4 5 g erb il ca vy a t do g m u s h ams tre t a i b a r ho g i c n c l i hed ge in this activity you will. There are only 4050 of them estimated left in the wild, all in one location. National geographic kids is an exciting monthly read for planetpassionate boys and girls, aged 6. Grass hay and fresh, clean water should be available to your pet at all times.
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