Brazilian guinea pig
Wild guinea pigs (Cavia aperea )
The congregation or wild guinea pigs (Cavia aperea ) is a mammal of the family guinea pig ( Caviidae ) within the order of rodents ( Rodentia ). It was long regarded as the root form (or one of ancestral forms ) of the guinea pig house. More recent molecular studies, there is growing evidence that the guinea pigs are descended from Tschudi guinea pigs.
From the house guinea pig it differs externally by the uniform gray or brown color, the rather rough, long coat and a little smaller in size. It is about 20 cm long and can weigh 700 to 1500 g.
These animals inhabit a range of habitats, including grasslands and mountain regions up to about 4000 meters above sea level. There are crepuscular animals which self-dug burrows or caves prefer as shelter and live together in small groups of five to ten animals. Since guinea pigs can not see very well, hearing and sense of smell are extremely well trained in order to be protected from predators. It is 5-8 years old.
Common guinea pigs are common in almost all of South America (except Colombia and Venezuela, the Amazon basin and the extreme south of the continent ).
System
The systematics within the genus of the Real guinea pigs (Cavia ), to which these animals belong, is still largely unknown. The Tschudi - guinea pig (C. tschudii ) and guinea pigs (C. porcellus ) are now generally recognized as separate species.
Also, the following species are considered either as species or subspecies:
- Cavia ( aperea ) guianae (Venezuela, Guyana )
- Cavia ( aperea ) anolaimae ( around Bogotá, Colombia)
- Cavia ( aperea ) nana (West Bolivia)
Next subspecies are: