The Wonderful World of Guinea Pigs
How many times I wonder have you visited with a friend or relative only to find one of their children enthusiastically dragging you out to the back yard to see their new guinea pig, and then left you wondering how much or how little you know about these animals?
They are adorable creatures that make excellent pets, but they have not always been a family pet, so what is their history and where were they first discovered?
Well, guinea pigs are technically known as Cavies, and they are a part of what we know of as the rodent family.
These delightful animals have been around for millions of years, and we know this because of fossilised remains that have been uncovered and it is only relatively recently that they have become a family pet.
They used to be much larger than they are today, and again, going back to those fossils, it has been found that they averaged 9 feet in lenght! Thats some guinea pig!
Now where do they come from? Well they originated in South America, and were first domesticated by the Incas. They were both a religious Icon, and sadly a source of food, and this is still the case even today in parts of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.
Nevertheless they are also held in very high esteem in parts of Peru, and are believed to have healing powers for those who are sick, and they are also believed to be ‘helpers′ for those people who are dying, helping them move effortlessly into the next world.
These lovely creatures came to Europe and America courtesy of the sailors who brought them to sell for, guess what, a guinea, and that is where part of their name came from.
The pig part of their name came about because of the funny squealing noise they make and their resemblance to actual pigs.
They have also been used quite a bit over the years in the field of research, and you have probably heard and used the expression “we are using him as a guinea pig″
They have proved to be a great help to medical science, but sadly at the cost of many guinea pigs lives. They have helped save many human lives, at the cost of their own. Does the end justify the means? Dear reader, you must decide that for yourself.
We are still using guinea pigs for research even today, distasteful as this might sound to you, but I am assured that they are not hurt or mistreated in any way.
Today in Peru, guinea pigs still play a prominent role in various ceremonies, and quite often a person will give one as a present when they are trying to impress.
Guinea Pigs have come a long way over the years, and a recent poll showed that in the domestic animal popularity league they come fourth, just behind dogs, cats and rabbits.
Well now, the next time your friend’s children show you their latest pet I think you will look at it with different eyes.
