Guinea Pig

Guinea pig, which is also known as Guinea pigs, a species of rodent in the family and the genus Cavia Caviidae. Despite their common name, these animals are not in the family of pigs, they are not of Guinea. They originated in the Andes, and previous studies on the biochemistry and hybridization suggested that they are descendants of domesticated a closely related species such as guinea pig Cavia aper, C. fulgida or C. tschudii and therefore not occur naturally in the wild. Recent studies of the application of molecular markers, which showed, in addition to the study of cranial morphology and skeletal and mummified animals present, is probably the ancestors tschudii Cavia.

Guinea pig plays an important role in popular culture of many indigenous South American groups, particularly as a food source, but also in folk medicine and religious ceremonies of the community. Since the 1960s, efforts were made to increase the consumption of the animal outside South America.

In Western societies, Guinea pig as a pet has a great popularity since its introduction by European traders in the 16th Century enjoyed. Their docile nature, their responsiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of care for her to go to the Guinea pig a popular pet. Organizations that have been in the Guinea pig competitive formed worldwide, and many specialized breeds Guinea pig coat colors with different compositions and raised by ranchers.

Biological experiments on Guinea pigs from the 17 Century made. The animals were often used as a model organism in the 19th and 20th Century, which uses the nickname "Guinea pigs" for a subject, but have been largely replaced by other rodents such as mice and rats. They are still used in research, especially as models of human diseases such as juvenile diabetes, tuberculosis, scurvy, and pregnancy complications.