antipodi
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| Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:57 pm A potted History Of Cavys |
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Overvue
The Cavys origin is in South America, But Now they are a really popular pet. They are Rodents which belong to the family Caviidae in the mammalian order Rodentia. Their ancestor is believed to be the Restless Cavy, which can still be found in South America.
In the wild they live in large groups as they are very sociable animals, they live among the long grass which they make tunnels to move from one area to another.They dont dig burrows though they might go into another animals abandoned tunnel but they mostly live on the surface.
New Born Cavys are born out in the open and they are more advanced than other rodent babies their eyes are open they are covered in hair, not fur by the way, and they can move very quickly as you may know if you have ever tryed to catch a young pig. They suckle for three weeks and can eat solid food almost straight away. With domesticated Cavys, at this age the boars (males) must be removed from the mother as they may mate with her and any baby sows (females) which can cause possible deformed babies. It is also a good idea to REST any sows after they have a brood for awhile. The sows however can be left with the mother untill you decide they have to go.
Origins
Cavies have been domesticated by the South Americans for hundreds of years. Some people kept them controlled so that they could breed them for food as it was easier this way than catching them in the wild. Its just like us in a way farming cows and sheep.
The Incas started to breed them in several different colours, using selective breeding, other than the agouti colouring found in the wild, But Now in South America there is only white and brown found in the markets for sale. Guinea Pigs are still eaten there today but only on 'special occassions'. |
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