The History And Origins Of The Guinea Pig

The guinea pig, also called the 'cavy', is a common pet in numerous countries, including America, most of Europe, and a number of Southern-hemisphere countries. What you might not realise though is that they do not originate from these countries, and have in fact only been found there for a relatively short amount of time.

This article provides a brief history of guinea pigs, covering topics such as where they come from, why they are so important in South American culture, and how they came to be found all over the world.

Although their name might suggest otherwise, guinea pigs do not come from Guinea. In fact, they are originally from South America, specifically in and around the Andes mountains.

Cavies are kept by many South American communities and tribes. However, they are thought of as being much more than just pets, and have a place in almost every aspect of life in these countries.

For thousands of years, guinea pigs have been seen as a highly sacred, religious creature. They are worshipped in religious ceremonies and also play a central role in a number of tribal ceremonies. They also have an important place in the area's art, appearing in many drawings, paintings, and sculptures.

Doctors still use cavies in various forms of healing. When a person is taken ill, a guinea pig is rubbed along their body to help diagnose the illness. Later, this same guinea pig is sliced open and its entrails examined to determine whether the patient has been cured.

Guinea pigs also make popular pets, although most families keep them primarily as a source of food, in much the same way that we might keep chickens. They live among the family, eating their leftover food, until they grow large enough to be eaten.

Guinea pigs were taken to Europe by travellers and explorers in the 16th century. Because of their exotic nature, they rapidly became popular pets among the well-to-do, and it was seen as a sign of your wealth to be able to afford one.

Since then, guinea pigs have continued to grow in popularity, and have spread even further afield, to the point where they can now be found in most countries of the world.

Their adorable looks, calm temperament, and loving nature mean that they are likely to be extremely popular pets for many more years to come.