About Guinea Pig
About Guinea Pig
Guinea Pigs are mammals which belong to the rodent family having large incisor teeth that are continually growing necessitating gnawing to prevent the teeth from overgrowing. The word 'rodent' is derived from the latin word 'rodere' which means 'to gnaw'.
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Originate from South America (Guiana) |
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Belongs to the rodent family |
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Scientific name |
Cavia porcellus |
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Gestation period |
9 weeks (63 days) |
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Litter size |
2 - 4 |
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Birth weight |
85 - 90g |
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Eyes open |
At birth |
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Wean age |
21 - 28 days |
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Puberty |
Male = 8 - 10 wks Female = 4 - 5 wks |
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Adult weight |
Male = 1000g Female = 850g |
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Best age to breed |
12 weeks |
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Retire from breeding |
2 yrs |
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Life expectancy |
4 - 7 yrs |
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Oestrus |
Every 2 wks (duration 15 hrs) |
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Male = Boar |
Female = cow |
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GP are social animals and they like to live in groups |
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1.There are 3 Major varieties of GP and 25 groups of colours a. Short smooth coat b. Harsh coated rosetted (Abyssinians) c.Long haired silky coated... like : Peruvians (Long silky hair), Sheltie (Hair growing back off its face in a long mane), Coronet (looks like sheltie but has a crest or rosette on the head) |
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GPs need vitamin C supplements, deficiency will results in illness or death |
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Abyssinian
Peruvian
Sheba Mini Yak
Sheltie or Silkie
