The History of Guinea Pigs: Cavies

Guinea pigs make great pets, but they weren’t always domesticated. Where do these amazing creatures come from, and how did they get their names? Guinea pigs are actually Cavies, and are a part of the rodent family.

Guinea pigs have actually been on the scene for a very long time. In fact, fossils have been found that prove that guinea pigs existed as far back as 18 million years ago, but they were once much larger than they are today. In fact, fossils that have been found measure the earliest guinea pigs at nine feet!

Guinea pigs come to us from South America. They were first domesticated by the Incas. Amazingly, they were both religious icons, and a source of food. Today, unfortunately, guinea pigs are still used as a source of food in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. In spite of this, guinea pigs are a big part of folklore in Peru.

There, guinea pigs are thought to have mystical powers, and it is believed that they can heal sick people, and that they somehow help people who are dying to cross over into the next world.

Although there is no proof, it is believed that sailors brought guinea pigs to Europe and America, which actually plays into how they got the first part of their name. During that time period, guinea pigs were sold for one guinea each. The pig portion of their name is derived from the guinea pig’s rear end. If you look closely, it is rounded much like that of a pig. Guinea pigs also tend to squeal, just as pigs do.

Guinea pigs have also been used to a great extent for scientific research. You have probably heard test subjects being referred to as ‘guinea pigs.’ This is because guinea pigs have actually helped to advance medical science more than most people realize, although in the past this was typically done at the cost of many guinea pig lives. While this seems very sad, one must consider the millions of human lives that the deaths of these guinea pigs helped to save.

Today, guinea pigs are still used for research purposes, but mostly in the area of genetics and hereditary matters. In these studies, the guinea pigs are not harmed. Guinea pigs are still commonly used in ceremonies in Peru, and often given as gifts in their originating countries as well.

It is surprising that a rodent could become such a popular pet, but in the list of popular pets, guinea pigs come fourth after dogs, cats, and rabbits. They are popular choices for 4H club projects, and they are shown in Cavy shows in the United States and Canada. Cavy is another name for this adorable pet.