Cavia porcellus (domesticated guinea pig)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- History of Introduction and Spread
- Introductions
- Risk of Introduction
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Biology and Ecology
- Air Temperature
- Notes on Natural Enemies
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Causes
- Impact Summary
- Impact: Environmental
- Threatened Species
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
- References
- Links to Websites
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
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Top of pageIdentity
Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Cavia porcellus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Preferred Common Name
- domesticated guinea pig
Other Scientific Names
- Cavia cobaya Pallas, 1766
International Common Names
- English: domestic cavy; domestic guinea pig; domestic guineapig; guinea pig; guineapig
- Spanish: cobayo; conejillo de Indias; cuy; cuyo
- French: cobaye; cochon d’Inde
- Portuguese: cobaia; porquinho da India
Local Common Names
- Germany: Hausmeerschweinchen
- Netherlands: meerzwijn
DADIS local name
- acure
- acurito
- curi
- cuyo
DADIS main name
- cuy
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pageCavia porcellus, commonly known as the guinea pig, is a small, tailless rodent with hair that varies greatly in length and colour. It originates from the Andean region of South America, where it was domesticated for meat production and continues to be a food source. It has been widely introduced, around the world, as a domestic pet and laboratory animal. Guinea pigs were first documented in Europe in 1554 then, since the mid-1800s, have been used worldwide in laboratories for research on pathology, nutrition, genetics and other disciplines. C. porcellus has also been introduced to various countries of sub-Saharan Africa, and to the Caribbean, as a livestock animal, although the extent is little documented. Feral populations of C. porcellus have been suggested but there is no published evidence of long-term establishment.
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Metazoa
- Phylum: Chordata
- Subphylum: Vertebrata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Caviidae
- Genus: Cavia
- Species: Cavia porcellus
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageThe genus Cavia comprises eight species: C. porcellus, C. aperea, C. tschudii, C. guianae, C. anolaimae, C. nana, C. fulgida and C. magna. However there is confusion as to whether some populations and species actually represent feral domestic guinea pigs. According to Woods and Kilpatrick (2005), the genus is in need of revision because the origin of the domesticated form and the number of species that occur in the wild remains unclear.
According to Nowak (1999), C. porcellus is a domesticated descendent of wild cavy species, with no established wild populations. It was probably derived from C. aperea, C. tschudii or C. fulgida. Based on molecular data, Dunnum and Salazar-Bravo (2010) conclude that C. tschudii is the closest wild species to the domesticated guinea pig and probably gave origin to the domesticated form.
Description
Top of pageAccording to Nowak (1999), it is a small mammal, with a head and body length of 200-400 mm and weight of 500-1,500 g. It has no external tail. Hair is smooth or coarse, long or short, and may display rosettes. Colour is varied and includes brown, white, black and grey, and mixtures of colours. C. porcellus is stocky with short legs, and short, rounded, unfurred ears. They have four digits on the front foot, and usually three on the hind (Wright, 1934), with sharp claws. Females have a single pair of inguinal mammae.
Distribution
Top of pageC. porcellus originates from the Andean region of South America, where it was domesticated for meat production. It is considered to be present in almost every country in the world as a domestic pet, laboratory or livestock animal.
Nowak (1999) suggests there may be feral populations where guinea pigs are domesticated and a couple of newspaper articles report the existence of feral guinea pigs in Nu'uanu on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii (Arakawa, 2008) and Bermuda (Jones, 2012) after pets escaped or were released by their owners. However, there appear to be no scientific reports confirming these occurrences or establishment.
ISSG (2015) includes a record of invasive C. porcellus in Hawaii but this is based on occurrence prior to 1944 on Laysan Island (see BirdLife International, 2012); SPREP (2000) reports that C. porcellus “formerly existed” on that island.
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 17 Dec 2021Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North America |
|||||||
United States | |||||||
-Hawaii | Absent, Formerly present | Laysan Is. | |||||
Oceania |
|||||||
New Zealand | Absent, Formerly present | 1869 | As: Cavia porcellus |
History of Introduction and Spread
Top of pageIntroductions
Top of pageIntroduced to | Introduced from | Year | Reason | Introduced by | Established in wild through | References | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Natural reproduction | Continuous restocking | |||||||
Europe | South America | 1500-1600 | Pet trade (pathway cause) | No | No | Morales (1995) | ||
Hawaii | 1930s | Live food or feed trade (pathway cause) | No | No | BirdLife International (2012) |
Risk of Introduction
Top of pageC. porcellus has already been widely introduced around the world as a domestic pet, laboratory animal and livestock.
Habitat
Top of pageAs C. porcellus is a domesticated species, it does not have a ‘natural’ habitat. Where C. porcellus is kept as a source of food in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia it is sometimes kept in huts and hollows in domestic walls; in other places they are allowed to range freely and scavenge. In some places this may have resulted in feral populations being established. Cavies in general occur in a wide variety of habitats including open grasslands, forest edge, swamps and rocky areas, at elevations up to 4200 m (Nowak, 1999).
Habitat List
Top of pageCategory | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Terrestrial | ||||
Terrestrial | Managed | Buildings | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural grasslands | Present, no further details | Natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Wetlands | Present, no further details | Natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Rocky areas / lava flows | Present, no further details | Natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Scrub / shrublands | Present, no further details | Natural |
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageThe following information on biology and ecology is adapted from Nowak (1999).
Reproductive Biology
In captivity, C. porcellus breeds year-round, with a birth peak in the spring. Females are polyoestrous, with an oestrous cycle of 16.5 days on average. They can produce up to five litters a year, and experience a post-partum oestrous immediately after giving birth. Gestation period averages 68 days, with an average of 2.3 young per litter (maximum five). Sexual maturity is reached after two months in females and three months in males.
Longevity
C. porcellus may live for up to eight years.
Activity Patterns
Guinea pigs are most active at dawn and dusk (crepuscular) and most feeding occurs during this period.
Population Size and Structure
C. porcellus is gregarious and prefers close contact with other guinea pigs. Wild species of cavies generally associate in small groups of five to ten individuals, and groups may converge into apparently larger colonies.
Nutrition
C. porcellus feeds largely on grass, but is unusual in requiring a dietary source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). They can obtain sufficient vitamin C (about 10 mg/day) from fresh raw fruits and vegetables. C. porcellus also has an unusually high requirement for certain amino acids, which is usually met in captivity by providing a protein-rich diet (Wagner and Manning, 1976).
Environmental Requirements
Optimal temperatures for C. porcellus in captivity are in the range of 18–24°C; a minimum night-time temperature of –7°C is tolerated. In their native range they can occur at altitudes from sea level up to mountainous regions of 4000 m. Their current native range of Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia stretches from the equator to about 22°S.
Notes on Natural Enemies
Top of pageAs a domesticated species generally kept in domestic circumstances, C. porcellus is not predated upon. Wild relatives of C. porcellus are predated on by ferrets, domestic dogs, cats, coyotes, wolves, owls and some species of hawks (Animal Diversity Web, 2015).
Means of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageAccidental Introduction
C. porcellus has been widely dispersed around the world as a domestic pet and laboratory animal, and probably exists in most countries worldwide. In cases noted in Hawaii and Bermuda, feral populations have been observed where pets have accidentally (or deliberately) been released into the wild, but there is no published evidence of long-term establishment.
Intentional Introduction
C. porcellus has been introduced to a number of countries as a livestock animal, most notably in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Maass et al., 2014), and other West African Countries. There is no data on feral populations of C. porcellus resulting from these intentional introductions.
Pathway Causes
Top of pageCause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Animal production | Throughout Latin America and parts of West Africa | Yes | Maass et al. (2014); Nowak (1999) | |
Pet trade | Global; since 1550s C. porcellus has been transported and later bred as a pet | Yes | Morales (1995) | |
Research | Global; since 1800s C. porcellus has been used as a laboratory animal | Yes |
Impact Summary
Top of pageCategory | Impact |
---|---|
Cultural/amenity | Positive |
Economic/livelihood | Positive |
Environment (generally) | Negative |
Human health | Positive |
Impact: Environmental
Top of pageAccording to BirdLife International (2012), the Laysan rail (Zapornia palmeri) became extinct on Laysan Island, Hawaii (USA) between 1923 and 1936 as a result of habitat destruction by rabbits and guinea pigs introduced by guano diggers. This bird became globally extinct in 1944.
Threatened Species
Top of pageThreatened Species | Conservation Status | Where Threatened | Mechanism | References | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zapornia palmeri (Laysan rail) | EX (IUCN red list: Extinct) | Hawaii | BirdLife International (2012) |
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page- Has a broad native range
- Abundant in its native range
- Highly adaptable to different environments
- Is a habitat generalist
- Highly mobile locally
- Benefits from human association (i.e. it is a human commensal)
- Has high reproductive potential
- Gregarious
- Ecosystem change/ habitat alteration
- Threat to/ loss of endangered species
- Threat to/ loss of native species
- Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
Uses
Top of pageEconomic Value
C. porcellus is widely kept in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia for domestic consumption and sale. Peruvians alone consume an estimated 65 million animals every year, where it provides a vital source of protein in rural communities (Vecchio, 2004) and livelihoods for families. Similarly, in eastern Africa, smallholder farmers use guinea pigs as a useful source of meat, manure and cash (Matthiesen et al., 2011).
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a survey in 2014 estimated that more than 2 million C. porcellus are kept in the county, contributing to nutritional security and income generation for hundreds of thousands of poor households. Cavies were included in ‘rehabilitation kits’ provided by humanitarian NGOs and in the agricultural portfolio of development agencies seeking to address malnutrition (Maass et al., 2014).
C. porcellus is used in laboratories around the world for research on pathology, nutrition, genetics and other disciplines. It is a particularly valuable animal for nutritional research because of its unusually high requirement for some vitamins and amino acids (Nuwanyakpa, 1997).
Social Benefit
In its originating range of the Andean Region in South America, C. porcellus has great cultural importance for the indigenous population, where it is considered a delicacy, is commonly sacrificed and plays an important part in folk medicine (Sandweiss and Wing, 1997). The animal is also greatly valued as a pet worldwide.
Uses List
Top of pageGeneral
- Botanical garden/zoo
- Laboratory use
- Pet/aquarium trade
- Research model
- Ritual uses
- Sociocultural value
Human food and beverage
- Meat/fat/offal/blood/bone (whole, cut, fresh, frozen, canned, cured, processed or smoked)
Medicinal, pharmaceutical
- Traditional/folklore
Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
Top of pageC. porcellus is similar in form and behaviour to wild species of cavie. It is thought likely that C. porcellus was derived from C. aperea, C. tschudii, or C. fulgida but became distinct from these species through domestication more than 3000 years ago (Nowak, 1999).
References
Top of pageAnimal Diversity Web, 2015. Animal Diversity Web. Michigan, USA: Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan. http://animaldiversity.org/
Arakawa L, 2008. Feral guinea pigs infest Nu'uanu. Hawaii, USA: Honolulu Advertiser. http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Jul/10/ln/hawaii807100326
BirdLife International, 2012. The IUCN red list of threatened species, version 2015.1. IUCN. www.iucnredlist.org
Borroto-Páez R, 2011. The invasive or introduced mammals. (Los mamíferos invasores o introducidos.) In: Mamíferos en Cuba [ed. by Borroto-Páez, R. Mancina, C. A. Larramendi, J. A.]. Vaasa, Finland: UPC Print, 220-241
Borroto-Paez R, Woods CA, 2012. Status and Impact of Introduced Mammals of the West Indies. In: Terrestrial Mammals of the West Indies - Contributions [ed. by Borroto-Paez R, Woods CA, Sergile FE]. Florida, USA: Florida Museum of Natural History and Wacahoota Press
Chauca Zaldivar Lde, 1997. Guinea pig production (Cavia porcellus) (Produccion de cuyes (Cavia porcellus)). Rome, Italy: FAO, 80 pp. http://www.fao.org/docrep/w6562s/w6562s00.htm
Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, 2009. Everglades invasive species distribution maps: plants. USA: University of Georgia. http://www.evergladescisma.org/distribution/plants.cfm
Febvre MJle, France SDde, 2014. Guinea Pigs in the Pre-Columbian West Indies. The Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology, 9(1):16-44
Gad SC, Peckham J, 2013. The Guinea Pig - Chapter 5. In: Animal Models in Toxicology, third edition [ed. by Gad, S. C.]. Boca Raton, Florida, USA: CRC Press, 341-498
Gade DW, 1967. The Guinea Pig in Andean Folk Culture. Geographical Review, 57:213-224
GBIF, 2015. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. http://www.gbif.org/species
HEAR, 2015. Alien species in Hawaii. Hawaii Ecosystems at Risk. Honolulu, USA: University of Hawaii. http://www.hear.org/AlienSpeciesInHawaii/index.html
ISSG, 2015. Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). Invasive Species Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/
ITIS, 2015. Integrated Taxonomic Information System online database. http://www.itis.gov
Jones S, 2012. Environment Special: Ecosystem Threatened by Invasive Species. Bermuda, UK: Bermuda Sun. http://www.bermudasun.bm/Content/NEWS/News/Article/Environment-Special-Ecosystem-threatened-by-invasive-species/24/270/59092
Kusukawa S, 2010. The sources of Gessner's pictures for the Historia animalium. Annals of Science, 67(3):303-328
Matthiesen T, Nyamete F, Msuya JM, Maass B, 2011. Importance of Guinea Pig Husbandry for the Livelihood of Rural People in Tanzania: a Case Study in Iringa Region. In: Development at the Margin, TROPENTAG conference, Bonn, Germany, 5-7 October 2011. Germany: University of Bonn
Morales E, 1995. The Guinea Pig: Healing, Food, and Ritual in the Andes. Arizona, USA: University of Arizona Press, 204 pp
National Portrait Gallery, 2013. News release: earliest portrait of a guinea pig discovered as exhibition reveals unseen painting. London, UK: National Portrait Gallery. http://www.npg.org.uk/about/press/news-release-earliest-portrait-of-a-guinea-pig
Ngou-Ngoupayou JD, Kouonmenioc J, Fotso Tagny JM, Cicogna M, Castroville C, Rigoni M, Hardouin J, 1995. Pig-breeding Development Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa - the Case of Cameroon. (Possibilites de Developpement de l'elevage du Cobaye en Afrique Subsaharienne - le Cas du Cameroun). World Animal Review, 83(2). FAO/AGA, 21-28. http://www.fao.org/ag/aga/agap/frg/feedback/war/v6200b/v6200b08.htm
Nowak RM, 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World, sixth edition. Baltimore, USA: The John Hopkins University Press, 2015 pp
Nuwanyakpa M, Lukefahr SD, Gudahl D, Ngoupayou JD, 1997. The Current Stage and Future Prospects of Guinea Pig Production Under Smallholder Conditions in West Africa; 2. Cameroon Case. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 9(5). http://lrrd.cipav.org.co/lrrd9/5/gp952.htm
Pigiere F, Neer Wvan, Ansieau C, Denis M, 2012. New Archaeozoological Evidence for the Introduction of the Guinea Pig to Europe. Journal of Archaeological Science, 39(4):1020-1024
Roskov Y, Abucay L, Orrell T, Nicolson D, Kunze T, Culham A, Bailly N, Kirk P, Bourgoin T, DeWalt RE, Decock W, Wever A De, 2014. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life, 2014 Annual Checklist. Leiden, Netherlands: Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Sachser N, Kunzl C, Kaiser S, 2007. Animal Welfare - The Welfare of Laboratory Guinea Pigs, 2., Netherlands: Springer
Sandweiss DH, Wing ES, 1997. Ritual Rodents: The Guinae Pigs of Chincha, Peru. Journal of Field Archaeology, 24(1):47-58
Spotorno AE, Manriquez G, Fernandez-L A, Marin JC, Gonzalez F, Wheeler J, 2007. Domestication of Guinea Pigs from a Southern Peru-Northern Chile Wild Species and their Middle pre-Columbian Mummies. In: The Quintessential Naturalist - Honouring the Life and Legacy of Oliver P Pearson [ed. by Kelt, D. A. \Lessa, E. P. \Salazar-Bravo, J. \Patton, J. L.]., USA: University of California Publications in Zoology, 134 pp
SPREP, 2000. Invasive Species in the Pacific - A Technical Review and Draft Regional Strategy. South Pacific Regional Environment Programme. Apia, Samoa. http://www.issg.org/database/reference/Invasive_strategy_and_species.pdf
Vecchio R, 2004. Peru pushes guinea pigs as food. USA: CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/peru-pushes-guinea-pigs-as-food/
Wagner JE, Manning PJ, 1976. The biology of the guinea pig. Academic Press, 317 pp
Woods CA, Kilpatrick CW, 2005. Infraorder Hystricognathi Brandt, 1855. In: Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference, third edition: 1538-1600 [ed. by Wilson DE, Reeder DM]. Baltimore, Maryland, USA: Johns Hopkins University Press
Woods CA, Ottenwalder JA, 1992. The Natural History of Southern Haiti - Report. Haiti, USA: USAID. http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pnadr534.pdf
Distribution References
ISSG, 2015. Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). In: Invasive Species Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/
SPREP, 2000. Invasive Species in the Pacific - A Technical Review and Draft Regional Strategy., Apia, Samoa: South Pacific Regional Environment Programme. http://www.issg.org/database/reference/Invasive_strategy_and_species.pdf
Links to Websites
Top of pageWebsite | URL | Comment |
---|---|---|
Animal Diversity Web ~ Cavia porcellus | http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cavia_porcellus/ | |
Catalogue of Life | http://www.catalogueoflife.org | |
Galapagos Species Checklist | http://www.evergladescisma.org/distribution/plants.cfm | |
GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway | https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6 | Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list. |
Integrated Taxomonic Information Service (ITIS) | http://www.itis.gov |
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