The guinea pig, also known as cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the family Caviidae. Despite their common name, these animals are not in the pig family Suidae, nor do they come from Guinea in Africa. They have played an important role in western society, being introduced by early European traders, as a docile natured, friendly, and affectionate small pet. They are also used as an important food source in South America, playing a heavy part in religious ceremonies and even folk medicines. They also were a heavy source of experimentation, often seen as the model organisms to experiment on. They were so heavily used and seen as so model that eventually the modern usage of the term guinea pig to mean "test subject" was coined.
Guineas are small, quadrupedal, burrowing rodents, and have compact bodies due to this, with short legs and clawed feet Their eyes and ears are also small, as well as their snouts, which are covered with sensory whiskers on each side. Guinea pigs, most notably, also lack tails. Like most rodents, they have two gnawing teeth at the front which continue to grow throughout their life.

Breeds

• abyssinian_guinea_pig
• himalayan_guinea_pig

See also

• mammal
• rodent
• guinea_pig