guinea pig language

Question
WHEN WE WALK INTO THE ROOM WHERE THE PIGS ARE THEY SOMETIMES MAKE A SQUEALING NOISE. WE ADOPTED THEM (THERE ARE TWO) THEY WERE IN A LARGE WOODEN CAGE TOGETHER. THEY SEEMED TO BE ARGUING WITH EACH OTHER SO WE SEPARATED THEM. NOW WHEN THEY GET FACE TO FACE THEY MAKE A HUMMING SOUND AND CHATTER THEIR TEETH. WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS MEAN?

Answer
Jim,

The humming and the chattering of teeth are one in the same. They are just communicating to each other who is in charge. Even though they have separate cages, they'll still need to establish who will be the alpha. Guinea Pigs are social animals and as in their groups in the wild there is always an alpha pair (male & female) and everyone else falls in order behind them.

Your Guinea Pigs behavior is completely normal. Just give them some time and space and they both shall have it all worked out. It is just the normal I am in charge routine that every Guinea Pig does when they are old enough. The humming is actual purring, when they do that they are actually communicating two things. When purring while being petted says that the Guinea Pig is happy and content. When they purr at each other they are saying that "I like you but I am in charge here." The chattering of their teeth also states two different meanings. When they chatter at you, they are telling you they aren't happy with you for whatever reason. When chattering at each other they are say, "hey I said I was in charge now, are you going to challenge me for it or are you going to submit."

So they'll work everything out in time. Just let them work it out and give it time. As long as they aren't being aggressive towards each other then there is nothing for you to worry about at all. It is just normal behavior for them.

Hope this helps in understanding them more, and if their is anything else feel free to ask. I'm always happy to help as best as I can.

     Take Care now,
              Jules