Guinea pig factfile

Guinea pig factfile, G. pigs, or ‘cavies’, are social animals with a compact, rounded body shape, short legs and no tail.
They originate from the grasslands and lower slopes of the Andes Mountains in South America. Why not view our full Guinea pig factfile (PDF 44KB).

They are active

• Guinea’s are active up to 20 hours per day and sleep only for short periods.

Are highly social

• Guinea pigs are social animals and in the wild, live in close family groups of 5 to 10 individuals.
• Several groups may live in close proximity that form a colony.

High fibre diet

• Guinea pigs in their diet needs plenty of vitamin C, as they lack the enzyme needed to synthesise vitamin C and can only store vitamin C for short periods.