Guinea pigs are small pets. These rodents are obliged to their origin the genus of pigs. It is worth noting that they have nothing to do with farm pigs. The natural habitat is the South American continent. Today they are very popular among animal lovers, thanks to their calmly moral and the complete absence of aggression to a person.
History of origin
It is known that guinea pigs in wildlife live in South America. In this regard, a huge contribution to the domestication of these animals was made by tribes living in this area. It happened several thousand years ago, approximately the fifth millennium to our era. Modern residents of the northern part of South America added these animals to food.
For some time, these mammals were considered sacrificial animals. The people of Inca sacrificed the guinea pigs to the sun. South American tribes feed a special love for rodents who had white or brown wool color.
In the modern world, breeders brought a very large number of new breeds. They numbered about six thousand species of guinea pigs. These little animals from Cavia Aperea Tschudi occurred. An animal lives in the modern territory of Chile.
The guide of guinea pigs outwardly has significant differences from pets familiar to us. This is explained by the peculiarities of the natural habitat. Animals have access to a feed base, saturated cellulose, but the region is very poor on the water.
These animals live in small colonies. As a housing, they choose quite spacious holes under the ground.
Description
Guinea pigs come from the family of head-free rodents. They have the appropriate appearance and structure of the body.
- The shape of the body of rodents resembles a small cylinder. In length it can reach 22 centimeters. Sometimes there are representatives of larger sizes.
- The spine pigs has a complex structure and consists of cervical, lumbar, sacrats, chest and tail vertebrae.
- The clavicle in these animals is completely absent, the same applies to the tail.
- Boys are much larger than the female half of the animals. Adult guinea pig on average weighs 1.2 kilograms.
- Limit of sea pigs of small size. The rear legs are longer than the front.
- On the hind legs in animals there is three fingers, and on the front - four. They look like small hooves.
- For a week, the animal wool can grow on a half-meter.
- Head shape is very large. It has a high degree of brain activity.
- The teeth of animals are growing continuously throughout life. For a week, the cutters can grow by 1.5 millimeters. In these mammals, the teeth are very powerful, so animals can easily nibble roots and plants stems.
- The digestion process takes a fairly long period of time. This is explained by a large body length.
- Guinea pigs can occur both with a long reservoir, and short. The color of the Pokroa is not limited to one color and can be diverse.
- In the wild, the maximum age of animals does not exceed seven years. At home it is determined by proper care and pet content. The life expectancy of the domesticated rodent can reach fifteen years.
Lifestyle
Wild guinea pigs are energetic animals, they usually show their activity in the morning time or evening after sunset. Calculate the surprises of these animals is almost impossible. They are restless and nimble. Guinea pigs live in mountain locations. You can also meet them in forest areas.
In the event that animals do not find large and deep holes, they equip themselves in the form of a nest. Place choose a quiet and secluded. Strengthen their housing rodents using thin sprigs of plants and dry grass.
Guinea pigs do not tolerate loneliness, so they are combined in colonies and live on one perimeter. The number of females in the pack is usually at times superior to the number of males. Pets mostly live in large cells. They need a lot of space for walking. Sleep guinea pigs several times a day. In some cases, the animal can relax with open eyes.
Guinea pigs perfectly carry high and low temperatures, as well as their oscillation. Immature rodents may not survive the onset of cold.
Animals also know how to swim. For them, there will be no good work to cross the small water. Also, animals normally transfer increased humidity, rains them are not terrible. Some representatives of guinea pigs are equipping their dwelling near the reservoir. Their food can be algae and other plants growing in water.
Interesting fact: Guinea pigs are considered Not only with pets, they are also widely used in research activities.
Breed
Breeders brought a huge amount of breeds of guinea pigs. This is due to the great popularity of animals as pets.
- Alpaca . For this breed of guinea pigs, it is characteristic of the presence of long and curly wool. It is very thick and has an incredibly beautiful appearance. On the back of rodents there are two outlets. It can also be found on the forehead. The beast of the animals completely turn wool. Cover is located in the bottom up.
- Texel . The film of representatives of this breed of pigs has a wonderful appearance. It goes quite strongly and gives the effect of a chemical curling. These rodents are often found as pets.
- Abyssinian. This wonderful animal is considered one of the most ancient representatives of a kind. The stream cover is very hard, there are several outlets on it. These pets are quite energetic, so they have a very good appetite.
- Merino. This breed is inherent in a long wavy fighter. Closer to the muzzle she resembles Benbard. Little heads are very large eyes. The ears of the guinea pigs are also famous for their large sizes. Merino is distinguished by its strong physique.
- Angora. For this breed of guinea pigs, it is characteristic of the presence of a long hanging cheeky and hard Benbard. Dark eyes, small ears. The smooth-walled guinea pig has a rather diverse conquering color. Often there are representatives of this breed, whose wool has white or black.
- Rex. Externally, these guinea pigs can remind a plush toy. All because the wool of these rodents is very short. On the back of the cover is distinguished by a rigid structure.
- California. This breed was brought to Peru, but a huge amount of breeding work accounted for California. According to its physique and rebel, it is very similar to the classic representatives of guinea pigs. For this breed, the presence of hanging ears, rounded shape.
The distinctive feature of rodents is a contrast color. With age, the color of the wool can turn into chocolate or red. There are also representatives with blue and lilac cover.
- Sheltie. This breed of animals has long wool. Her structure is straight. The head is the so-called mane. Until certain age, the wool of guinea pigs remains short.
- Selfie. These short-packed animals are considered the most popular among pet lovers. The animal bribes the fact that the color range of its cover is very diverse and contrast.
Maintenance at home
Immediately after purchasing a guinea pig, the pet passes the adaptation process to new conditions. Therefore, it is not to be surprised if at first the animal will behave very quietly and calmly. Rodents at this time are scared of any row and practically do not move. Also at the initial stage of adaptation, the pet is very bad.Accomposition process will help the owners of an animal, creating comfortable conditions for life.
Feeding
An animal should eat well, it is necessary that the diet consisted of four foods. One portion is 2 tablespoons. First, the guinea pig may not eat everything. But this does not mean that the volume of portions should be reduced. The satiety of these animals is the key to excellent health.
Guinea pigs feed on with hay, and in summer - fresh grass. During pregnancy, female and feeding offspring the feeder is carried out no more than two times a day. Petrushka during this period is contraindicated. In the water intended for pets, it is recommended to add vitamin C, if the feed does not contain this component in its composition.
Products that should be in a pet diet:
- cucumbers;
- salad;
- beet;
- pears;
- corn;
- pumpkin;
- apples;
- Bell pepper;
- carrot.
Cabbage is best to give animals in limited quantities. In the feed you can add a ride hips. As additives, the leaves of herbal plants can also be used. In the food of the animal you can also add a mustache salt in small quantities (up to 2 grams).
Grain crops in pure form categorically not recommended to give pigs Since this can badly affect health, and subsequently lead to the obesity of the pet. It is necessary to mix them with vegetables or greens.
It is impossible to saturate the ration of the animal with the products from the human table.
Cell and accessories
One guinea pig can be placed in a small cell, it should be at least one meter in length. It is desirable that the rods are scratched. It is also necessary to take care of the presence of a small door for the animal.
If possible, it is recommended to contain an animal in the aviary, then it will be able to walk around the perimeter.
The animals are not able to move in height, therefore, the cells are multi-tiered in their structure are not suitable for the content of the guinea pig. In the cell, it is necessary to place a drinking room for them with a volume of 0.25 liters and food containers. It is recommended to purchase carries for pets.
Games and Training
Such animals are easy to train, if you study with them every day. You can teach a guinea pig in a short period of time, these animals quickly get used to their owners.
Train animals best using various delicacies. Also, you need to play animals, because the guinea pigs live with flocks and alone easily sustains stress. Even one workout will be enough to tame.
Diseases
In order for the animal to do not hurt, it is enough to adhere to the basic rules for the content of pets. The most common diseases among guinea pigs are associated with the digestive system. Also, guinea pigs may be cold.
Symptoms of the disease:
- thirst;
- unusual behavior;
- breathing problems;
- cough;
- decline in activity;
- liquid chair;
- The formation of ulcers on the skin;
- An animal can start lifting;
- liquid discharge from the nose;
- Parasites in wool.
At the initial stage of the disease, it is recommended to refer to the veterinarian.
Vaccination
After purchasing a guinea pig, it is best to keep it in isolation and not to be in contact with other pets for two weeks. Typically, vaccination is not needed domesticated rodents. In some cases, you can do Borgellase vaccination. This does not mean that the animal will protect against this disease. Vaccine will only soften the symptoms of the disease. For this reason, many do not resort to this preventive method.
Care
It is believed that guinea pigs are not picky in care. The process does not take you a lot of time and effort.
- Long-chest guinea pigs need to be calculated at least once a week.
- It is necessary to regularly inspect the body of the animal.
- Do not forget to cut your nails with a guinea pig. It is done very carefully, so as not to apply the pet. You can cut them with special grain or manicure tweezers.
- It is recommended from time to time to air the room containing a pet.
- Cleaning is carried out once every 4 days.
- With severe pollution, it must be washed with shampoo.
- No less often, napelmintic drugs should be given a pet.
Breeding
Guinea pigs are capable of rapid reproduction. The main thing is to correctly carry out the care of the female and its offspring, otherwise there may be complications in animals. In one litter there may be a maximum of 8 cubs.
At the age of five months, animals are ready for reproduction. Weight at the same time should not be less than 700 grams. An animals of only one breed are cross. Dilution can be engaged no more than two times a year. Animals are mate when the female begins between the female. On average, this process takes six weeks. Human intervention is not required. Live can last no more than two seconds.
The period of pregnancy lasts depending on the number of cubs. Usually this process takes 65 days. It is categorically not recommended to disturb the pregnant female in every way, since any such actions can lead to miscarriage. Before childbirth, the cell should be disinfected. The bottom must be filled with hay.
Male during pregnancy and feeding should be kept separately.
Birth in the guinea pig continues for an hour. Little animals appear already with wool and vigorous. In most cases, the shell in which the cub is born, the female is rolled. In some cases, this process requires human intervention.
In the first time, the mother itself feeds the offspring with his milk. Little guinea pigs start eating food a week after birth. List the mother with the offspring after one month.
In order for guinea pigs to empty, it is recommended to lubricate the anal hole with a cotton disk that is pre-wetted with olive oil.
Interesting Facts
Few people know that guinea pigs called so not because they love reservoirs or water procedures, but because in the old days they were brought to our edges from distant nautical swimming.
It is interesting to know that guinea pigs are inherent in the unique sound language. Thus, by sounds, you can easily determine the mood of the animal.
- A long hazing indicates that the pet wants to eat.
- When the pigs welcome each other, they begin to grunt. It also means that the animals are studying each other.
- If the pigs are knocking their teeth or grow together on each other, it says about the irritation of animals.
- Guinea pigs can even ship. This behavior speaks of a good mood of a pet. It also concerns and promotes.
- If you heard long squeal, it suggests that the animal is enjoying. In this case, the animal can point.
- Before pairing individuals of the opposite floor begin to recover.
- When the pet is very loudly moaning, it can say that he experiences pain. If in this case it will be almost fixed and be in a state of drowsiness, it means that the animal fell ill. Also evidence of the disease may indicate the formation of zaksi in the eyes.
Ownership reviews
Many owners buy guinea pigs for their breeding. Often such animals are very expensive. But without it, it is not necessary, because for successful crossing it is recommended to acquire animals with a good pedigree.
Owners of such pets do not recommend crossing animals of different breeds.
If you are planning to participate in various exhibitions in the future, the mating of the short-chest and long-chest rodents is contraindicated.
As a result, the offspring will refer to low-quality decorative animals. Also, in case of crossing the guinea pigs of different breeds, the offspring can be born with various defects, and their development will be very slow.
Many also adhere to the opinions that much more practical to start guinea pigs than a cat or a dog. Such an animal delivers less hassle and occupies a lot less space in the house.
Some complain about the aggressiveness of guinea pigs. In such a state, they can even bite. Basically, the owners who do not pay attention to the pet are facing such a problem.
Recently, pet lovers have begun to give preference to original animals. Exotic rocks of animals are becoming more and more. Therefore, the swine today is gaining momentum, many selection works are underway in this industry.
If you are still in doubt, acquire a guinea pig or not, the next video will help you make the right choice. It tells about all the pros and cons of content and breeding.