The world of guinea pigs is quite wide. Today, although we don’t see many different species in pet stores or breeders, the truth is that there are many different types of guinea pigs. One of them is the Peruvian guinea pig.
If you want to know what the Peruvian guinea pig is like , its character and how to care for it as a pet, do not hesitate to keep reading. Surely you will get an idea of what this animal needs and you will be able to decide whether to adopt one or not.
Characteristics of the Peruvian Guinea Pig
The scientific name for the Peruvian guinea pig, also known as the Peruvian guinea pig, is Cavia porcellus . It is medium in size, reaching 23–27 cm in length and weighing between 700 and 1,200 grams. But the most special thing about this guinea pig is, without a doubt, its special fur. Not only does she have long hair, but her hair is parted on the top of her head and extends all the way down her back. In fact, it can grow up to 50 cm tall. Another characteristic of his hair is that two ends can be seen on it.
Although it seems quite large, the truth is that it is not, it appears only because of its hair, but in fact it has a small head and the size is similar to that of other guinea pigs.
You can get different shades of color, the most common being tones of brown, although sometimes they are bicolor (with black and white) or even tricolor. His pattern is almost always with those three colors.
As for their life expectancy, it is estimated to be somewhere between 5 to 8 years.
Character of the Peruvian Guinea Pig
Like other guinea pigs, it is also characterized by being affectionate and docile. But it’s also very curious. She enjoys spending time with you and, although she may be quite apprehensive at first, especially with strangers, or even herself at first, it becomes easier for her to trust you as time goes on and here Until she wants you to caress her and caress her for a long time …
The one thing he doesn’t like is loneliness. So, if you are one of those people who cannot spend too much time at home, you better make sure that she is not alone in these matters. Therefore, it is recommended to have at least one partner to keep each other company.
Peruvian guinea pig habitat
Many guinea pigs you can find in pet stores are the product of scientific research. In other words, they are the result of genetically experimenting with animals. Therefore, you might be thinking that the Peruvian guinea pig has the same origins as many of its other species. However, this is not the case. In fact, it is one of the few species that has occurred naturally.
Peruvian guinea pigs are native to Latin American countries. As its name indicates, it is from Peru, but it can also be found in Argentina or Bolivia. The problem is that this animal, in that area, is also an animal that is hunted for its meat (especially its taste), which is why there aren’t many left.
Caring for the Peruvian Guinea Pig
Keeping a Peruvian guinea pig as a pet is not easy, as it is not a species commonly carried in pet stores or a breed by many breeders. But it is not impossible either. Now, in order to provide them a good home, it is advisable to know what are the requirements that you must fulfill for them.
Peruvian Guinea Pig Cage
Keeping in mind that it is not recommended to be “alone” the Peruvian guinea pig, it is important that the cage provided is large enough to hold at least two guinea pigs. so dimension
You have to keep it in a cool place, but at the same time it is part of your day to day. It is advisable not to place it on the ground, but in areas where it can see you as this will scare it less.
Thus, try to find a cage that is at least 70 cm in length so that it has enough space. You should also be aware that they need to be taken outside often in order to be able to exercise and play, especially if there is not enough room in their cage for this. Many people buy a hamster park or something similar to prevent them from snooping around the house and getting lost, especially at first as they run away from you because they are too scared.
Feeding Peruvian Guinea Pigs
One of the main foods for the Peruvian guinea pig is undoubtedly hay. It’s a staple in his diet, but not the only thing you should be giving him. In fact, all you need is the fruit and vegetable ratio as they will complement you perfectly with their vitamins, minerals etc. And they will help you to have a good diet.
Now, you have to be careful with them because these guinea pigs have a sweet tooth and can easily become obese if you are not careful. Of course, if you see that they don’t eat it, it’s best to remove it to prevent it from rotting or because of some health issues.
Peruvian Guinea Pig Diseases
And speaking of diseases, here we are going to talk about some of the most common problems that Peruvian guinea pigs can have, of which there are many:
To begin with, deficiency of Vitamin C, due to poor diet, can trigger you to suffer from scurvy. Similarly, because the temperature in the area where you live is not regulated, it can lead to respiratory problems, such as flu, colds, pneumonia and other infections that affect your lung capacity.
Heart problems are among other issues as well as digestive problems, which develop into diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, etc.
Las parasite infestations , both internal and external or skin problems are other common ailments of the Peruvian guinea pig.
Breeding the Peruvian Guinea Pig
Breeding the Peruvian guinea pig is no different from that of other guinea pigs. However, most experts recommend that, at this time, they should be provided with a more adequate diet for pregnancy and the breeding season as the female may lose many nutrients and be less likely to give birth or even become ill. can also be difficult. The same.
The normal thing is that both are in heat, as they carry out a kind of “courtship” through hormones. In fact, males grunt so that females will pay attention to them. When they do this, they begin to move their hindquarters from side to side, as well as turning around, thus performing a kind of “dance” to encourage the female to respond to her. it occurs.
By the time mating occurs, the female will have entered a gestation period of between 59 and 70 days, although it is not usual to exceed 63 days. It is important that you get an extra supply of vitamin C, as well as calcium and other vitamins because you will need them. After time the female will give birth to babies. If this happens for the first time, it is normal to have only 1-2 pups, while subsequent births may have up to 3 pups.