cavie

Cavie, or cavy, is a common name for the guinea pig and related rodents in the family Caviidae. The domestic guinea pig, Cavia porcellus, descends from wild cavies native to the Andes of South America.

Cavies are small to medium rodents in the order Rodentia. They typically measure 20 to 25 cm in length and weigh about 700 to 1,200 grams. In captivity they commonly live five to seven years, though lifespans vary with care and diet. They are herbivorous and have continuously growing incisors.

Social by nature, cavies live in groups and communicate with vocalizations, body language, and scent marking. In captivity they need companionship, enrichment, and a spacious, secure enclosure with solid flooring and good ventilation. They prefer moderate temperatures and can be sensitive to heat and humidity.

Their diet is mainly high-quality hay, supplemented with fresh vegetables and a measured amount of fortified pellets. Vitamin C is essential because cavies cannot synthesize it. Fresh water should be available at all times; avoid toxic foods such as chocolate, onions, and avocado.

Guinea pigs have a relatively long gestation of about 59 to 72 days and typically give birth to 1–6 young. Pups are precocial, born with fur, open eyes, and able to move shortly after birth.

Historically kept as pets and raised for food in some cultures, cavies have also served as laboratory animals. Today they are common pets and remain used in some research contexts, though alternatives are increasingly utilized.