guinea pig The guinea pig is a petite and small rodent , with the head, neck and body fused into a single unit. The females weigh between 700 and 1000gr. and the males between 900 gr. and 1,300 kg., the latter presenting an area of dark skin above the anus that corresponds to the presence of a territory marking gland. It lacks a tail and its teeth grow continuously throughout life.
Summary
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- 1 Types of Guinea Pigs
- 2 Behavior
- 3 guinea pig or guinea pig
- 4 Compatibility
- 5 How to determine the sex of your guinea pig
- 6 General characteristics
- 7 Other features
- 8 Playback
- 9 Food
- 10Higiene
- 11Fuentes
Types of Guinea Pigs
There are 3 common varieties: the short-haired guinea pig, the Abyssinian guinea pig, and the Peruvian guinea pig. The color of the coat is very varied, with specimens of a single color and others with combinations of 2 or 3 colors. It is a very vocal animal, it makes itself heard through high-pitched screeches to claim food, water or when it feels uncomfortable because of the dirt in its house.
Behaviour
It is characterized by being meek although it is always very alert. It is very rare that it bites in a strange situation or manipulation, in general the response may be immobility or, on the contrary, escape at high speed. It is very social and can live in a group with females, offspring and other males, in which case they carry out different activities together such as eating and resting touching each other. It is not in the habit of climbing or jumping which makes it easy to design your enclosure. If the food or water is supplied in tray-type containers, most of the time it will get inside, spilling the content in addition to urinating and defecating, so it is convenient to put the food on the floor and the water in bottle-type drinkers. specially designed for guinea pigs and rabbits. A habit that it shares with other rodents is the need to eat some of the fecal matter it produces. This practice is normal and should not be prevented because it would lead to a deterioration of your health. The first thing to know to have a guinea pig is that it must have a large place to live, such as a cage ofrabbits or hutch. In a large place because it must have accessories such as stairs, wheels, etc. so that you have full freedom of movement and play. The pet’s bed must be made of absorbent material.
guinea pig or guinea pig
Guinea pigs are social and group animals. Consider this point when adopting your guinea pig, and think that if you have two guinea pigs, they do not require more care than just one, and that they will keep each other company when you are not there. They will be able to play with each other, communicate, always be accompanied. Consider adopting a pair of guinea pigs of the same sex (to avoid pregnancy and all its complications).
Compatibility
It is a myth that two male guinea pigs will always fight. How two guinea pigs get along depends on their personalities, rather than their gender. The vast majority of guinea pigs will be happy to have a companion. Usually the easiest is two baby guinea pigs or one baby and one adult. But in general there are no problems. When you put two guinea pigs together that haven’t been together since their earliest days, try to do it in a neutral location and see how they react. It is common for them to show dominance behaviors (such as trying to mount the other, or walking slowly moving the back of their body emitting a sound similar to a purr), but if they do not fight they can be placed in the cage (the bigger the better). ) together. Wash everything beforehand to remove any odors. Observe them to make sure everything is going well. When males go through puberty, their hormones are revved up, and depending on the temperament of the guinea pig, they can be a little more upset and fight a little with each other. (some never do) This is normal and you just have to wait for the puberty period to pass. Just like it is normal to see females (when they are in heat or at some other times) try to mount another. You shouldn’t worry about this. These are completely normal behaviors. Males do too. It’s to show who’s boss. Just like it is normal to see females (when they are in heat or at some other times) try to mount another. You shouldn’t worry about this. These are totally normal behaviors. Males do too. It’s to show who’s boss. Just like it is normal to see females (when they are in heat or at some other times) try to mount another. You shouldn’t worry about this. These are completely normal behaviors. Males do too. It’s to show who’s boss.
How to determine the sex of your guinea pig
Making sure of the sex of the guinea pig will help you avoid pregnancy problems, especially when they are very young, since if a female guinea pig becomes pregnant when she is still very small, there are many risks.
General characteristics
Males are generally larger than females. They have smaller nipples than these. If you press under his belly, in his genital area, you will see his penis emerge. Sometimes it is very hidden, but eventually you will realize it. When the guinea pigs are small, the testicles have not yet descended, but after a few months, the difference will be noticeable. If you put the guinea pig vertically, and only hold it up for a moment, you will see that the testicles hang, the testicles are responsible for making semen in which the sperm are transported to the female genitalia, it is formed by testicles the spermatic duct , penis, and foreskin plus the vesicular , prostate , and bulbourethral glands.
Females are smaller, have larger nipples. By separating the membrane from the genital opening, you will see that it is shaped like a “Y”. The females go into heat every 15/17 days, and it lasts from 24 to 48 hours.
Other features
It is very precocious. At birth it already has all its hair grown, it has teeth, its eyes are open and after a few days it moves independently and begins to taste its mother’s food. That is why it is common that at 15-20 days of age it is already separated from the mother to go with its new owners, being fully trained for an independent life and receiving the aforementioned foods. It is not necessary to bathe it nor does it require vaccines or preventive deworming.
Reproduction
Sexual maturity arrives between 2 and 3 months of age. It is important if you have a female and you want her to have a calf, that the first pregnancy be at 7 to 9 months of age to avoid the possibility of difficulties during childbirth . Pregnancy lasts between 65 and 73 days and they do not need a nest to give birth.
Feeding
We must put the food in a stainless steel container, you can combine dry products such as seeds and feed with fruit and vegetables that should be given in pieces to make it easier for you to digest food. It is good to give your guinea pig a little something or a whim and give it a treat from time to time, such as sunflower seeds without salt, you can also give it hay or alfalfa, something that the guinea pig will not only enjoy eating but can even make its own bed.
Hygiene
This little animal should be bathed every three or four months. It is very important to take care of the temperature of the water because it should not be too cold or too hot. You can use soap, shampoo to bathe him but it must be neutral in any case and be very careful so that it does not get into his eyes. To dry it, it should be done with a cotton towel as soft as possible, but in no case should it be dried with a hair dryer, as it is dangerous for the animal. If you have legañas you can remove them with a wet stick.
