Cavia

Cavia is a genus of rodents in the family Caviidae, native to South America. The most familiar member is the domestic guinea pig, Cavia porcellus, which was domesticated in the Andean region and is kept as a companion animal and used in biomedical research. The genus includes several wild species that inhabit a range of habitats from grasslands to forest edges, and wild populations occur across parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

Guinea pigs are medium-sized, stout rodents with short limbs and no tail. Adults typically measure about 25 to 35 cm in length and weigh between 0.5 and 1.5 kg. They have a dense coat, short ears, large eyes, and continuously growing incisors. Their fur and coloration vary widely. They are herbivores, feeding on grasses, leaves, and vegetables, and they rely on a diet rich in vitamin C, as they cannot synthesize it on their own.

Behaviorally, members of the genus are social and diurnal to crepuscular, often living in small groups. They communicate through a variety of vocalizations and body signals. In the wild, they rely on group vigilance and scent marking to avoid predators. Reproduction is prolific in suitable conditions: gestation lasts about 59–72 days, with litter sizes ranging from one to several offspring. Pups are relatively well developed at birth, with fur and eyes open, and are able to move soon after birth.

Humans have long interacted with Cavia, using domesticated guinea pigs as a food source in some cultures and as pets and laboratory animals in others. The genus is of interest in studies of physiology, nutrition, and comparative biology.