Guinea Pigs
Guinea Pigs are small creatures descending from the rodent family. The domestic guinea pig is a native of South America where traditionally the inhabitants used the guinea pig as a source of fodder and where it is still regarded as a delicacy today!
In their natural habitat guinea pigs subsist in groups so keeping more than one at a time or housing two or more together could improve the contentment of your guinea pig. However the male of the species are prone to aggressive behaviour towards one another, and will sometimes attack each other if kept collectively. In the wild they settle in groups commonly made up of just one sexually mature male and an assortment of females.
Guinea pigs thrive on a well balanced and stable diet, which ideally should consist of vegetables and cereals. Ready mixed guinea pig food is available at most good pet shops, although an array of fresh vegetables should be added whenever possible. Guinea pigs also enjoy to grazing, and an intake of grass or hay will supply basic roughage in their diet. As an owner, you should ensure that your guinea pig always has access to fresh water, and plenty of foods rich in vitamin C which they are unable to produce naturally. Your guinea pig will also need something to gnaw on to ensure that his teeth do not grow excessively long.
Fully matured Guinea Pigs generally reach lengths of between 25cm and 35 cm. The male or boar is usually larger than the females or sows, and ordinarily they live for between 4 and 7 years. They make sociable pets and welcome companionship. They are typically very active throughout the course of the day and are genial and good natured as a rule and seldom bite, making them a popular pet for children.