Megan and Alyssa

 Guinea Pigs were first domesticated in 5000BC  The Moche people of Peru worshipped them  They continued to be a food source in the region  Since ca AD there have been many varieties of domestic guinea pigs

 In folklore traditions, guinea pigs played a role in traditional healing by being rubbed on the sick  Spanish, Dutch, and English traders made guinea pigs exotic  The earliest known account of the guinea pig is from 1547

 They are large rodents  Short and robust body  Large head  No tail  Colors range from black to golden to white

 Bigger housing is better  They need exercise daily.  The guinea pigs need to be let out cages once in a while  Most guinea pigs need companions

COMMON BREEDS  Short haired  Abyssinian  Himalayan  Peruvian  Silkie  Rex  Teddy  Texel  8 common breeds RARE OR EMERGING BREEDS  Alpaca  Lunkarya  Crested  Coronet  English Merino  Hairless  Ridgeback  Sheba mini Yak  8 uncommon breeds

 Female guinea pigs(sows) must be bred before 7 months  Females will only allow breeding for 8 hours  Pregnancy last for about 63 days  Their body weight normally doubles  Contractions start and dialation begins  If there aren’t contractions, there must be a c section

 Fresh hay  Mixed Grass or Timothy  ¼ cup of pellets  3 servings of vegetables  1-2 tbs fruit per 2lbs of food

 When training guinea pigs, always use favorite treats.  Things you can train your guinea pig to do:  Sit up and beg  Come when it’s called  Using a litter box

 Food  Water  Cage  Bedding  Toys  Balls, tunnels, ramps, house

 Don’t have visible tails  Born with fur and the eyes are open  Need to gnaw on things to wear down teeth  Eat a lot of food  Came from South America  Members of the Cavy family  Happy guinea pigs jump up and down  “Popcorning”  xg xg

 Text Book  Wikipedia  Google Images  Youtube