Guinea pig, also known as a guinea pigs, is a small rodent originating in South America, specifically from the countries of Peru and Bolivia. They were brought to Europe in the late NINETEENTH century and then exported to the United States. When we arrived in America, the Peruvian guinea pig was one of the three only breeds of pigs recognized by the American Association of Guinea pigs breeders.
Guinea pigs live about four to eight years, so their care is a long-term commitment. They are social pets and therefore it is better to keep them in groups of two or more. So, are you interested in raising guinea pigs? Breeding a guinea pig is a perfect choice if you are looking for a pet for adults or children. With loving and loving temperaments, the guinea pig is an intelligent and sociable creature. If you have started the search you will be surprised to see the large number of breed variants of the guinea pigs that exist.
Did you know that there are more than 50 breeds of guinea pigs?
There are a wide variety of breeds of guinea pigs, each one with its own characteristics, colors and brands. Some are more common than others, such as the guinea pig Abyssinian, which is a fairly common type of guinea pig, and some, like the Merino, which are rarer. Many of the guinea pigs found in pet shops or rescue centers are a cross-breed.
Regardless of the type of breed you want to breed, the guinea pigs are very friendly pets and offer a great company to its owner. Anyway, it’s good to know more about the different races available, as it would be useful when choosing the pet you would like to have in your home.
In elcobayo.com you will find a list of the different breeds of guinea pigs in the world. The American Association of Guinea Pigs Breeders (ACBA) recognizes 13 breeds of guinea pigs. However, there are many more varieties.
Why Raise guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs are multi-purpose animals and are used for many different purposes. Its most common uses are as a pet, for scientific uses and in some countries as food.
As pets
One of the main reasons why parents consider acquiring a guinea pig as a pet for their children is that a dog or cat is too big a commitment, so a smaller pet could be “easier” to care for… But is this true? While this may be a popular belief, actually smaller pets often need as much care and attention as a cat or dog.
Unfortunately, guinea pigs tend to be little appreciated and careless, as several people often confuse them with hamsters. They are actually very different animals with unique behaviors and characteristics. While the hamster is lonelier, the cuyes are sweet, social and affectionate. Without a doubt, their social and affectionate nature are good reasons for the guinea pigs to be good pets.
Scientific uses
In addition to being excellent pets, guinea pigs have been used for medical research. Their natural defenses against diseases are similar to those of human beings. Scientists used guinea pigs in initial studies of infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and diphtheria. These days are often used in studies of sexually transmitted diseases and other infectious diseases.
Some say that the term guinea pig, means “subject to experiment”, was used for the first time in the decade of 1920. And this expression is still very common today.
As food
The guinea pigs or cuyes are used in some countries of South America for nutritional purposes because of their rich nutrition value, however using this small animal as food is not accepted in many countries and communities due to local and religious restrictions. The meat of the cuyes remains an important part of the diet in Peru and Bolivia (especially in the Andes Mountains). Meat is also eaten in some parts of Ecuador and Colombia. The meat of these animals is high in protein and low in cholesterol and fats.
What kind of guinea pig is right for you?
There are many different breeds of guinea pigs recognized by the American Association of Cuyes breeders, and each breed has unique qualities. Your decision at the time of choosing a race should be based on what you want (and do not want) of a guinea pig. Are you looking for a pet for your family? Do you like long-haired guinea pigs? Do you need to raise cuyes for food purposes? Or maybe you want to dedicate yourself to the breeding of guinea pigs in a commercial way? Next, you will find a list of the different breeds of guinea pigs in the world.