Guinea pig

From Conservapedia

Guinea pig
Scientific classification
Kingdom Information
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum Information
Phylum	Chordata
Sub-phylum	Vertebrata
Class Information
Class	Mammalia
Order Information
Order	Rodentia
Sub-order	Hystricomorpha
Family Information
Family	Caviidae
Sub-family	Caviinae
Genus Information
Genus	Cavia
Species Information
Species	porcellus
Population statistics

Guinea pigs are rodents commonly kept as pets in a similar manner to rabbits. They are ideal for small children as they have a placid temperament and are large enough to be handled without causing distress to the animal (unlike some smaller pets such as hamsters). Like most rodents, guinea pigs can give birth to large litters of young and thus care should be taken when selecting males and females as pets. As with rabbits, they eat vegetables such as carrots and lettuce and are easy to feed and take care of.

Other Uses

Guinea pigs can be used in animal testing, although rats and mice are more common. Outside of the west, guinea pigs are sometimes used as meat and are a delicacy in some parts of Peru.