Guinea pig
Guinea pig
Guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), pronounced /ˈɡɪni pɪɡ/, is a species of rodent belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Despite their common name, these animals are not in the pig family, nor are they from Guinea. They originated in the Andes, and earlier studies based on biochemistry and hybridization suggest they are domesticated descendants of a closely related species of cavy such as Cavia aperea, C. fulgida, or C. tschudii.
Etymology
The origin of "guinea" in "guinea pig" is hard to explain. One proposed explanation is that the animals were brought to Europe by way of Guinea, leading people to think they had originated there. "Pig" likely comes from the animal's similar appearance and behavior to pigs, and the noises they make.
Related Terms
- Cavia porcellus: The scientific name for the guinea pig.
- Caviidae: The family to which guinea pigs belong.
- Rodent: The order of mammals to which guinea pigs belong.
- Andes: The region where guinea pigs originated.
- Cavia aperea: A closely related species of cavy.
- Cavia fulgida: Another closely related species of cavy.
- Cavia tschudii: Yet another closely related species of cavy.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Guinea pig
- Wikipedia's article - Guinea pig
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