There are two on the second floor of Baoji Road Building. Don't buy them now, because they are too young (spring is the breeding season for guinea pigs, so we can't wait for them to be born soon). We have to wait at least a week before we can raise them. They can eat and pull, and like to scream (at least in decibels). Moreover, not only buy one, but also equip them with cages, cushions, kettles and sand baths. In short, it's OK to spend more than 100 yuan. Since I plan to raise it, there are many on Taobao.

English name: Guinea pig

Chinese name: guinea pig

Other translation names: Dutch pig, Dutch mouse, colorful dolphin, guinea pig, all black is also called black dolphin.

Origin: Peru

Guinea pig, a precious multi-purpose herbivore, is flesh and blood, and is usually called Guinea pig or Guinea pig. Guinea pigs are short and round, with big heads, big and round eyes and round ears. The limbs are short, with 4 toes on the front foot and 3 toes on the back foot, and no external tail. Many species are cultivated artificially, except Angora guinea pig, whose body hair is short and shiny. There are black, white, brown and other monochrome, but also with various stripes.

The guinea pig is a general name for the family Petunia, a rodent. It is named because it is fat and stupid and sounds like a pig. There are ***5 genera 15 species of guinea pigs, which are endemic to South America. Habitat on rocky slopes, grasslands, forest margins and swamps. Burrowing, integrating small groups of 5 ~ 10, foraging at night, mainly eating green parts of plants. Perennial breeding, 2 ~ 3 nests per nest.

Originated in Peru, South America, the natural food is grass, plant roots and fruit seeds, and it is an absolute vegetarian. Wild guinea pigs are slim and flexible, and have been kept as pets for a long time. Because of laziness and lack of exercise, they become chubby and very popular. Guinea pig meat is still delicious. Guinea pigs like to crowd together, because living together in the wild can increase the chances of finding enemies. Will communicate with each other through a slight cry.

The international Chinese version of the Encyclopedia Britannica explains the guinea pig: "A domesticated rodent, the guinea pig, originated in South America. Domesticated before the Inca era, it was introduced to Europe shortly after the discovery of America and soon became a favorite ornamental animal and precious experimental animal. "

Raising guinea pigs

If your living space is too small for cats and dogs, or you are afraid of being scratched and bitten, choose a small and docile guinea pig! He is chubby, clumsy and cute. Although he is a mouse, he is more popular than the traditional mouse. Very docile personality, rarely bite unless anxious (rabbits bite when anxious). Guinea pigs are vegetarians, have no special requirements for food, and are strong and not easy to get sick. He is very clever. If you are nice to him, he will recognize you and play with you. The size is moderate, not too small like a mouse or too big like a rabbit, and it is more suitable for playing in the hand (15 ~ 20 cm or so). It is clumsy and lovely, unlike mice or squirrels. Once it escapes, it can't be caught, so it is very suitable for children or the elderly. Its price is not high, and it doesn't need professional feeding equipment. As long as a cage of the right size is prepared, fresh water and food are supplied every day, and it is often played with and its nest is cleaned regularly, it can grow healthily and happily. When it is ripe, it will come out to meet you when you come home from work, and it will run to you to ask for food.

The life span of guinea pigs can be as long as 10 years, so you must be mentally prepared before breeding. Make sure that no other animals in your house will hurt it, such as cats and dogs. He has to provide water and food every day. His excrement will stink. He sometimes makes noise and bites people. If you can accept this, let's learn about guinea pigs:

Teeth: There are two upper and lower teeth (front teeth) in front of the mouth, which are mainly used to cut off food. The front teeth grow very fast, so you must chew food with high fiber content often, otherwise you will not be able to eat because the front teeth grow too long.

Feeding box: if it is too late to prepare a nest for it, you can find a box (wood or plastic or even a carton) and put some clean rags in it. Because newspaper ink is not good for small animals, it is best not to use it. This box is only temporary, because when it adapts to the environment and gets bolder, it will start grinding its teeth with the box and maybe even slip out. So you must prepare a suitable strong box to make a nest for it. You can buy boxes for raising small animals or special boxes for raising groundhogs in the market. In the past, the feeding box was divided into two layers, with a tray at the bottom and barbed wire in the middle. The advantage is that it is convenient to clean, but the disadvantage is that the feet of animals are easily caught by wires, causing injuries. The special feeding box for groundhog has only one floor, which is slightly larger and has an opening at the top. When feeding with it, the inside must be covered with sawdust and sawdust. Animal activities are convenient, but the disadvantage is that excrement is not easy to clean, and the padding must be cleaned and replaced frequently. Pay attention to the feeding box as large as possible, otherwise you will get fat because you don't get enough exercise, and even cause mental stress and other problems. This is especially true when multiple animals are raised. Store away from cats and dogs, avoid direct sunlight, wind and rain, and pay attention to ventilation.

Food basin: avoid choosing plastic or other materials that will be chewed. Should choose ceramic or stainless steel texture, a certain weight is not easy to be knocked over.

Drinking water: In order to keep the feeding box dry, it is recommended to use a licker-type water feeder.

Summer sleeping mat: The function of summer sleeping mat is to absorb the moisture and smell of excrement and make guinea pigs feel comfortable. You can choose sawdust, sawdust, hay, rags, etc. Cat litter is also a good choice, and paper chopped with a shredder is also a good choice.

Breeding: If you want to breed, you can raise a pair, or a male and two females. The gestation period of guinea pigs is about 60 ~ 70 days. Young rats are born with teeth and fur, their eyes are open and they can start eating at once. However, it is suggested that young rats should not be raised alone within 2 weeks after birth, and it is best to be taken care of by the mother rats. Young rats reach maturity after about 3 months.

Disease: The most common disease in guinea pigs is scurvy. Because guinea pigs can't synthesize vitamin C by themselves, if vitamin C is lacking in food, they will get this disease. Symptoms are joint swelling, accompanied by pain and limping. If you don't pay attention, you are in danger of death. The best treatment is to take vitamin C orally until the symptoms disappear. Adding vitamin C to drinking water has a good preventive effect.

Variety difference: short-haired guinea pigs are famous experimental animals, and almost all of them have become synonymous with experimental animals. Therefore, it is more common in the pet market and the price is cheaper. Long-haired guinea pig, also known as satin mouse, is not only large in size, but also silky soft and beautiful, making it a good family pet. Some places even hold beauty contests for curly guinea pigs.