Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are also known as cavies. Their ancestor is thought to be the wild cui, which lives in family groups and is smaller than the pet guinea pig we keep today. About 500 years ago cui were kept by the South American Incas, and were killed and eaten on special occasions. When the Spanish landed in South America they thought the skinned dead animals looked like little pigs, so they called them Cochinillo das Indas, which means "little Indian pig". The Spaniards took live cui to Guiana, which is probably where the name "guinea" came from. From Guiana they were spread into Europe as pets, first arriving in Britain around 1750.

Many South American Indians still keep cui as a source of food.

Pure-bred guinea pigs can be divided into four groups. English self guinea pigs; Smooth, marked guinea pigs; Rough-haired guinea pigs; and Long-haired guinea pigs.