| Guinea pigs didn't always have the renowned | | | | their own natural habitat, they borrow holes that are |
| reputation for being a perfect, quiet pet that doesn't | | | | abandoned by other diggers. |
| make much mess. They were used long ago by the | | | | Guinea pigs temperaments in their own natural |
| Inca tribes of Peru as a source of meat and were | | | | environment in South America are much the same as |
| bred to do just that. | | | | you find in the pet guinea pigs. They are prone to be |
| They are not an animal that is native to North America | | | | attacked by carnivorous animals and tend to get |
| and therefore, it is speculated and probably true that | | | | frightened very often. Since they don't burrow, their |
| sailors took the furry critters along on they voyages | | | | babies are fully furred and born with their eyes open |
| as pets. It is also speculated that in this, lie the reason | | | | and in as little as two days after birth, are eating the |
| for guineas pigs to have gotten the name because the | | | | same diet that the parents do. The mother guinea pigs |
| sailors who brought them along as pets also sold the | | | | do not find a borrowed burrow either to have the |
| creatures for a 'guinea'. They also make few sounds | | | | young guinea pigs rather they give birth out in the open |
| but of the ones they do, they squeak and squeal like a | | | | with the protection of trees and long grass. |
| baby pig. | | | | What do they Look Like? |
| Natural Habitat | | | | Guinea pigs most often have the coloring much the |
| Guinea pigs are actually believed to come from South | | | | same as rabbits do and even bear a slight |
| America and there are still many species today that | | | | resemblance to them. They are friendly, cooperative |
| can be found. The South American pigs are thought to | | | | and they don't dig and rummage through garbage |
| be living in very large family groups that can be found | | | | looking for food. Guinea pigs are the perfect pets they |
| living in the foliage and hiding in long grass. The pigs | | | | require very little space and are contained to one area. |
| don't burrow and hide from other creatures because | | | | These are just a few of the reasons why this fine little |
| they hide in grass and trees to escape their enemies. It | | | | creature is probably the best sort of pet to have. |
| could be that guinea pigs are just a bit lazy because in | | | | |