Guinea Pigs Center – History of Guinea Pigs

Dear Friend:

Welcome to the Guinea Pigs Center Website,

My name is Jonathan Houss and I’ve been caring for Guinea Pigs for a few years. In that time, I’ve gained a huge amount of knowledge about Guinea Pigs and specially my favorites the Black Guinea Pig.

As a Guinea Pig enthusiast, it is my goal to see that all pet Hamsters are properly cared for, so I’d like to share my knowledge with you, free of charge.


The History of Guinea Pigs

Guinea Pigs

Guinea Pigs

Scientific Name: Cavia Porchellus
Also Known As: Cavie, Cavy, Cy
History: Detailed!
Use: An endearing pet, and wonderful companion. Also sometimes used for dinner.

The guinea pig has a long, colorful, and unique history to call their own. When you're taking care of this little critter, you're not just taking care of a pet. You're really taking care of a wild and proud animal.

While guinea pigs are originally found in the wild of North America, they've been highly domesticated - to the point that you simply can't find them there, in fact.

The guinea pig was brought over by European traders in the 16th century, and since then have enjoyed life has a house pet - mostly because of their docile, passive nature and loving attitude.

In North America guinea pigs are a large part of the culture and were often hunted for food purposes. They're also used in religious ceremonies and even folk medicine.

Reports suggest that guinea pigs where domesticated as early as 5000 BC as a source of food, and statues of the guinea pig were unearthed in both Peru and Ecuador dating from 500 BC to 500 AD.

Surprisingly, the Moche people of Peru often worshiped animals, and the guinea pig is commonly seen in their art. Between 1200 AD to roughly 1532 (The Spanish Conquest), guinea pigs were selectively bred into numerous varieties. Looking at modern breeds, you can sometimes see the roots of this.
Folklore surrounding the guinea pig is wide, and it's not uncommon to find them as a part of daily social and religious encounters - including guinea pigs being exchanged as gifts.

Even today, the guinea pig plays a large role in the medicines of many people and villages. In areas in the Andes, where Western medicine is either distrusted or simply unavailable, the guinea pig is used to help cure a whole number of illnesses, including arthritis and jaundice.


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