8 Curiosities About Guinea Pigs Not To Be Missed
The guinea pigs are rodents very nice medium size. They are expressive, fun, and are among the favorite pets of children.
If you have ever had one of these pets in the past, you surely know that they are very special. Here is a good reason to discover, with us, 8 interesting curiosities about guinea pigs.
The most interesting curiosities about guinea pigs
This rodent which, despite its name comes from South America, is distinguished by its docile nature and friendliness.
It is possible to choose from a large number of breeds that are distinguished only by their fur, practically.
If you love these sweet animals and want to know them better, do not miss the best curiosities about them:
1. They can sleep with their eyes open
Being herbivorous and small in size, they are very fearful animals. They always have to hide and run away from many predators and are always on the alert.
Therefore, they developed the ability to sleep with their eyes open in order to be able to wake up at the slightest movement.
Some guinea pigs sleep with their eyes open and others only occasionally. If you have recently adopted one of these pets at home, don’t be scared!
You may think that he never rests but, on the contrary, he sleeps without your realizing it.
2. They do not synthesize vitamin C
Unlike many other animals, guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C from the outside.
All they need is to ingest directly through their diet.
There are, therefore, cases of vitamin C deficiency which can lead to scurvy, dental problems such as abnormal growth of the incisors and eye problems.
So it is very important to take care of their nutrition. The foods that have the most vitamin C are: peppers, spinach, broccoli or strawberries, for example, and they should be fed every day.
3. They never stop digesting
The digestive system of common guinea pigs does not move by itself, but must digest continuously, because it works thanks to the boost that the new “boluses” give to the already eaten foods, like a kind of tail. Also, since they are rodents, their teeth never stop growing.
Therefore, guinea pigs should always have food available: they eat few amounts, but many times a day.
Hay, a must in their cage, serves both digestion and teeth and ensures a healthy mouth.
4. Isabella La Cattolica had the first copy
When the Spanish conquistadors returned from South America, it took little time to find the guinea pigs.
One was taken as a souvenir and brought as a gift to the Queen of Spain, Isabella I of Castile, who allowed Christopher Columbus to discover the New Continent.
5. They have many names
The guinea pigs have different names depending on the country in which they are called. In Italy, the best known names are common guinea pig or guinea pig.
The fact that they are so called derives from Columbus’ historical error of thinking that he had reached “the Indies”. Since then, curiously, no one has thought of changing his name.
For example, in English they are called Guinea pig . Again, this is a mistake, as guinea pigs are not from Guinea at all.
Some argue that this nickname is due to the fact that, among seventeenth-century sailors, these animals were sold for the price of a guinea, the first British coin to be minted mechanically.
6. There is a hairless variety
There is a guinea pig variety that has no fur. This is the Skinny breed , and this is due to a spontaneous mutation that gave birth to these completely hairless animals in a laboratory.
They reproduce by transmitting the gene that made them so special and very tender, as in the photo below.
They are normal guinea pigs, but you have to keep in mind that they are more vulnerable to the cold and can therefore suffer from colds more often.
Among the many subspecies of this animal, the Skinny breed is certainly the most curious and original.
7. They eat their own excrement
Surely many of you will be twisting your mouth … In reality, guinea pigs make two types of excrement, which only they can differentiate.
This is normal stool and an organic substance that has not yet been fully processed and contains important nutrients.
These animals cannot do without it, for their health, although it is certainly a disgusting thing.
8. They are very intelligent
Common guinea pigs not only learn words and obey your commands, they also love to solve problems and learn new tricks.
There are simple and fun exercises that you can teach your guinea pig (we show you some in the link below), and you can have fun building new challenges and toys to mentally stimulate your pet.
Guinea pigs are small rodents that, for centuries now, have entered everyone’s homes bringing affection and sympathy.
By discovering these interesting curiosities about them, you will surely learn to better understand some behaviors, improving your coexistence.
