Are cavies and guinea pigs the same thing?
The guinea pig or domestic guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), also known as the cavy or domestic cavy (/ˈkeɪvi/), is a species of rodent belonging to the genus Cavia in the family Caviidae.
Why are guinea pigs called cavies?
The taxonomic name for guinea pigs is Cavia porcellus, indicating the genus Cavia and species porcellus. Cavy and its plural form, cavies, derives from the genus Cavia.
Can a 4 week old guinea pig get pregnant?
Guinea pigs reach sexual maturity early. Females can reach sexual maturity as early as approximately 4-6 weeks of age and males as early as approximately 8-9 weeks of age so the different sexes should be separated before they are able to reproduce with each other.
Can guinea pigs breed with siblings?
It’s important to split male and female guinea pigs up by the time they’re 4 weeks old. If you don’t, mating is just a matter of time. Not only can male siblings mate with their siblings, the males can even do so with their mothers. Aggressive behavior is a possibility in male cavies.
Are cavies related to rabbits?
I assumed they were similar to rabbits, because they are housed in the same barn. Wrong. A cavy is a family of rodent that includes the guinea pig. If you need a reference point, this is a rabbit.
Do guinea pigs live underground?
Guinea pigs Cavies are social animals that live together in groups in burrows underground. They were first kept by humans for food, and are still eaten in some South American countries.
How long after giving birth can a guinea pig get pregnant again?
The period during which the female is receptive to the male and will allow breeding lasts about 8 hours. Female guinea pigs can come back into heat 15 hours after giving birth. This is called a “postpartum estrus,” which means that they can be nursing a litter and pregnant at the same time!
How many weeks is a guinea pig pregnant?
59 – 72 daysAdult
Guinea pig/Gestation period
What happens if you inbreed guinea pigs?
inbred litters averaged two pigs less than those within outbred groups. Wright (1922b) reported that inbreeding in his guinea pigs reduced litter size by one pig. Eaton (1932) confirmed Wright’s report that inbreeding decreased litter size by one pig in 25 years of inbreeding.
When can a baby guinea pig be separated from mom?
Male and female baby guinea pigs should be separated from each other at 3-4 weeks of age to prevent any early pregnancies. Guinea pigs can then be sterilised from 16 weeks.
How big do cavies get?
Most cavies are moderately large, weighing 200 to 1,500 grams (0.4 to 3.3 pounds) with a body 15 to 40 cm (6 to 16 inches) long. Their dense, coarse fur ranges from gray to brown on the upperparts and whitish to gray on the underparts.
When is the best time to breed a guinea pig?
Breeding a female guinea pig for the first time after she reaches 8 months of age can be very dangerous because of the normal stiffening of the pubic symphysis (a joint of tough fibrous cartilage between the 2 pubic bones of the pelvis) that occurs when the female reaches adulthood.
What kind of Cage do you need for guinea pigs?
Cages with solid floors and bedding is a better caging system for commercial guinea pigs farming because it can hold guinea pigs for a longer time in breeding colonies. After you have decided on a cage, Prepare bedding with shavings, woodchips, and similar synthetic materials.
How old does a guinea pig have to be to give birth?
While it is less important for the male pig to be a certain age at the time of breeding, the female needs to be less than 10 months old (at the maximum) in order to be able to give birth naturally.
What’s the best way to prevent guinea pigs from breeding?
Neutering a male is generally easier than spaying a female. However, guinea pigs often do not react well to surgery, anesthesia, or being kept in unfamiliar surroundings. The safest, easiest, and least expensive way to prevent breeding is to house male and female guinea pigs separately.
