Guinea pigs are considered as unpretentious pets. They are not aggressive, very amusing in behavior, are suitable for childish sports. Because of the small size of a body it is convenient to hold them in hand, to iron or caress. Guinea pigs were tamed by Americans therefore they are called still overseas or Guinean pigs. There is a set of species of guinea pigs among which variety sometimes it is difficult to make a choice.
General view
Guinea pigs of the size of well well-fed kitten. Length of their body can reach up to 35 cm. The mass of pigs males is up to 1.5 kg, and females – up to 1.2 kg. A trunk of these rodents large and more roundish, than at wild relatives. Guinea pigs have no tail. A muzzle at them stupid, ears hang more often. The color can vary from dirty-gray to golden and red. Wool length strongly differs at different breeds.Character of guinea pigs remarkable. They are good-natured, friendly and trustful. It is desirable to support them in couples because pigs do not take out loneliness. It is impossible to drop these animals from height, it can lead to unpleasant consequences. The sounds made by a mumps are similar to grunting of ordinary pigs. But at some moments these small animals can purr, purr or even to chirp. Guinea pigs grain, hay and vegetables eat. They need to be treated often with vitamin C since it is not produced in an organism of these rodents. There are many various breeds of guinea pigs which differ in length of a wool cover and its structure. Care for different breeds of pigs will also differ. Some types were removed only in the artificial way. Such breeds will not survive in the world of the nature because their organism is not adapted for various air temperatures, they are not able to get to themselves food and to build the warm dwelling.
Short-haired guinea pigsThe most widespread species of guinea pigs are short-haired or sleek-haired pigs. These are breeds Teddie, Self, Rex and American sateen. Their wool short and smooth, without curls. They happen to color spots or strips on a trunk. Their color is very different, combinations of two or three flowers are allowed. The trunk of short-haired guinea pigs small, ears – standing and wide, on them is not enough wool. This breed quickly and easily breeds in the natural way.
Long-haired guinea pigs
Breeds of long-haired guinea pigs enjoy considerable popularity too. These are breeds of the Sheltie, Pixel, Merino, Koronet, Peruvian and the Alpaca. Representatives of these breeds have long wool, and length of rodents sometimes reaches 20 cm. Koronet's breeds, the Sheltie and the Peruvian wool direct and soft, and at other types have it more wavy or curly-headed. Care for long-haired breeds has to be careful. Small animals need to be combed out often that koltuna were not formed. The long hair of guinea pigs can be cut, giving the necessary form to "hairstyle". The hair of representatives of these breeds can be so long that all muzzle of pigs is closed, and behind hangs down as a loop. In the nature of such breed does not meet, it is artificially removed version. A color long-haired breeds often monophonic, but have pigs to impregnations. The most widespread color – red or brown. Sea pigs albinos also occur among these breeds.
Rozetochny guinea pigs
Rozetochny pigs have short rigid wool, but it not smooth and as if uncombed. On all body of rozetochny guinea pigs small sockets from wool are located. Breeds Abyssinian and Rosetti concern such pigs. Hair of these small animals about 4 cm long which grows from the center of sockets. On all body normal there have to be about 10-12 sockets. Rozetochny guinea pigs look tousled, but actually their body is similar to a square because of symmetry of sockets. The color is various. There are whitish pigs, red, chocolate and red. Colors are most often combined. Care for such breeds of guinea pigs is minimum. It is necessary to comb once a week wool to get rid of the died-off hairs.
"Bald" guinea pigs
Rare breeds of guinea pigs it is considered to be Skinni and Baldwin. These breeds differ from the others in the fact that have no indumentum. If Skinni's breed has a few hairs on a nose tip, then at breed Baldwin they completely are absent. These two breeds were removed in vitro; and in the nature they not only do not meet, but also do not survive. For bald pigs the special care is necessary. Their thin and velvety skin constantly needs moistening. In the summer of such pigs it is necessary to process sunblock cream, and in the winter – to dress in something warm. The color at bald guinea pigs is various too, but natural color – pink is most popular.