Tuesday, April 13, 2010

What is the origin of the name guinea pigs?

the name "guinea pig" came from when it was brought to Europe and sold as pets. one cavy (guinea pig) costs one guinea or one coin. as for the "pig" part, it came from eating behaviors and the squealing noises they make.

What is the origin of the name guinea pigs?
Origin of "guinea pig" name is vague. Common name


used by fanciers is "cavy".





a. Does resemble a suckling pig





b. Is prepared for eating by scalding/scraping





c. Some suggest "guinea" was derived from the


fact that trading ships may have travelled


via Guinea in West Africa, or via Guiana





d. Adult females called sows, and adult males


called boars. Parturition referred to as


farrowing.


No comments:

Post a Comment