Reproduction

How does the guinea pig produce its young?

This species is able to breed year round. There is a slight peak in spring.

Where two males are kept with females they will fight one another for access. As they do not occur naturally breeding is influenced by humans. As such they may be monogamous if kept in a pair or polygamous if kept with multiple partners.

Mating typically takes place at night.

Young are born after a 60 to 70 days gestation period. Females may breed two to three times each year.

Each litter produces between two and six young. At birth the young are fully furred and the eyes are open. They start to nibble food early and can wean as early as 14 days old.

Weaning takes place between 14 and 21 days old.

Males are sexually mature by 56-70 days old with females maturing by 67 days old.

Behavior

What does the guinea pig do with its day?

The vocalization of the guinea pig sounds like the squeal of a pig and is thought to be part of the reason they were given their name. They also produce whines, whistles, purrs and chirps.

These animals are social and will engage in close contact with other members of their species. Males can be extremely aggressive towards one another. In captivity males tend to be separated to keep them from fighting.

They are often seen huddled together in groups for warmth.

Guinea pigs sleep for just 4% of their day. Each session of sleep is just 6 minutes long. Activity is concentrated around dusk and dawn meaning this species is crepuscular.

If they become excited this species will jump in to the air repeatedly.

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Predators and Threats

What is impacting the survival of the guinea pig?

As these animals are kept captive they do not have any natural predators but may be taken by predators in the area they are kept if the enclosure is not secure.

If a threat approaches a guinea pig will either stand still to avoid detection or they will startle easily and sprint for cover.

The ancestors of the guinea pig are now considered extinct in the wild. These animals are known only from captive populations. They are kept in large numbers of all continents except for Antarctica.

This species was initially domesticated for meat which still occurs.

Quick facts

The domestic guinea pig is also referred to as a cavy.

The name 'guinea pig' is thought to have come from these animals being transported from the port of Guiana in South America or being transported through ports in Guinea in West Africa.

A male guinea pig is known as a 'boar' and the female is a 'sow.'

The 'porcellus' portion of their family name comes from a Latin word meaning 'little pig.'