Mammal · GBIF taxon 5219702
Domestic Guinea Pig
Cavia porcellusAlso known as Cavy, Domestic Cavy
Domestic guinea pigs are vocal, highly social herbivores that express enthusiasm through high-pitched wheeking sounds and energetic hops. Originally domesticated in the Andean region of South America, these gentle rodents rely on continuous feeding to wear down their continuously growing teeth. They thrive in bonded pairs or small social groups, utilizing a rich vocabulary of purrs, squeaks, and grunts to communicate with cage mates and human handlers.
SocialHerbivoreVocal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Herbivorous (grasses, Timothy hay, leafy greens)
Predators
- Domestic Dog
- Domestic Cat
- Birds of Prey
ThreatsVitamin C deficiency, dental overgrowth, heat distress
HabitatsDomestic homes (originally Andean grassland plateaus)
Life span4–8 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderRodentia
- FamilyCaviidae
- GenusCavia
- SpeciesCavia porcellus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe and handle gently with proper care.
Responsible observation
- Dietary Care: Supply unlimited Timothy hay and daily Vitamin C to support healthy digestion.
- Handling Support: Lift gently with one hand under the chest and the other supporting the hindquarters.
- Social Housing: Keep in pairs or small same-sex groups to satisfy their strong herd instincts.
Wild Cousin Petra Karstedt (= PetraK; www.Tiermotive.de) / CC BY-SA 2.0 de · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion (c) Alexis Lours, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Lours · cc-by
Ancestral Relative (c) Pirataber, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Pirataber · cc-by
Cavy Relative "Capybara" by lorentey is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.