Mammal
Brazilian Guinea Pig
Cavia apereaAlso known as Brazilian Cavy, Wild Guinea Pig, Preá
Brazilian guinea pigs are compact, tail-less rodents that forge extensive runway systems through dense grasses across South America. They live in small family groups, communicating with quiet chirps and whistles while foraging for vegetation at dawn and dusk. Unlike their domesticated descendants, wild cavies feature sleek, agouti-patterned fur that provides camouflage from aerial and terrestrial predators.
CrepuscularSocialHerbivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyGrass blades, Forb leaves, Plant tubers
Predators
- Maned wolf
- Crab-eating fox
- Roadside hawk
ThreatsHabitat loss from industrial agriculture and predation by feral animals
HabitatsSavannas, moist grasslands, forest margins, and agricultural borders
Life span3–5 years
Classification
- FamilyCaviidae
- SpeciesCavia aperea
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- May bite or scratch if cornered or handled; observe quietly from a distance.
Responsible observation
- Timing: Search around dawn and dusk when individuals emerge from grass runways to feed.
- Approach: Sit motionless near field borders, as sudden movement startles them into cover.
- Listening: Listen for low vocal whistles and rustling in heavy vegetation along paths.
Domesticated Form (c) Kacper Aleksander, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Arthur Bruck, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Cousin "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
Family Cousin (c) Nikolang, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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