Looking at the guinea pig, it’s hard not to smile. But why the word “marine” is in his name is not clear. In general, there are continuous misunderstandings in the name of the animal.
Baby - old-timers (guinea pigs and antiquity)
Fluffy animals were tamed by the Incas in ancient times. Some South American peoples even worshiped them, used in ritual sacrifices. Others were bred exclusively for food. On the Peruvian version of the painting "The Last Supper" in the center of the table is a dish with a roast pig.
In the 16th century, the Spanish colonialists saw a furry baby in the market, and then tasted his meat in a local tavern. The taste resembled a milk pig or chicken. In addition, local chefs scalded the carcass before skinning, as in the processing of pork.
Today, in the shacks of the descendants of the Incas, it is easy to find a small animal in a cage, not suspecting that they will soon find themselves on the table in a fried form. And according to popular beliefs, local people believe that stove smoke is useful to them. Therefore, they are kept in the kitchens near the hearth. In restaurants, their dishes are served whole with herbs, hot sauces. Meat is considered dietary.
Around 1580, the Spaniards first brought crumbs to Europe. Overcoming a huge distance helped unpretentious disposition and ease of use. Unusual appearance, gullibility and unpretentiousness won the heart of a civilized man.And he settled in houses for decorative purposes only.
Name Appearance: Guinea Pig
And since the route ran through the seas, they called it “overseas”. Over time, the prefix “for” was lost. But the name is preserved. By the way, pigs are similarly named in Germany, Poland and Russia. In England, it is called the Indian pig, in other countries - Guinean, in South America - gooey. At home, she was considered a little rabbit.
Today, these outlandish animals are common in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia in vivo. They prefer abandoned burrows as a home. On occasion, they are able to dig independently. The sociable character sometimes makes 5-8 individuals gather in families. And pigs do not know how to swim and do not like water.
The relationship of guinea pig with rodents and mumps
Guinea pig is an absolute rodent. She does not belong to the category of artiodactyls. Its resemblance to a pig is contrived by a person and is based on distant external signs. A dense body with a rounded back, short legs, an almost undeveloped neck, a large head - that's all that resembles the look of a pig in it.
However, the baby knows how to express their emotions in a voice. In a calm state, it is not difficult to hear the muffled gurgling that he emits. At the moment of fright, the animal squeals especially loudly, very similar to the squeal of a pig. This is where their similarity ends.
Rodents are kept in spacious cages away from drafts. So that the pet does not get sick, a special diet and daily routine is recommended.They are fed with special hay, feed, which are sold in pet stores, as well as grass. Surprisingly, they should not be forbidden to eat their own litter. It turns out that the vitamins K and B contained in it are absorbed only in this way.
Due to long sitting in place, diseases of the limbs and claws can develop. Therefore, a couple of hours a day should allow your pet to run around the apartment. On warm days, sunbathing in the open air will not interfere. Frequent communication will teach even some tricks. And care and love can prolong the life of a guinea pig from 8 to 15 years. Through the efforts of breeders, more than 20 original breeds have been bred.
