Microcavia

Southern dwarf guinea pigs ( Microcavia australis)

Dwarf guinea pigs ( Microcavia ) is a genus in the family of guinea pigs with three species.

The genus lives in dry areas in Argentina and Bolivia. Both the German also illustrate the scientific name, that it is the smallest representative of the guinea pig family. The aggressiveness between the group members is not as high as with other guinea pigs. The life expectancy is four to seven years.

Appearance

Are dwarf guinea pigs weighing up to about 450 g and a size of about 20 cm, the smallest members of the family of guinea pigs. They are similar in appearance to the yellow tooth guinea pigs, but they have white circles and white teeth. Both the males and the females have four teats.

Way of life

Dwarf guinea pigs are able to climb, bushes and small trees. Their diet consists mostly of leaves and fruits. Their water needs they cover over fleshy plants. The territories of the dwarf guinea pigs have a size of 3,200 square meters. You lie down on the floor flat holes, with larger groups and small buildings (up to about 30 cm deep). Often abandoned buildings are taken over by other animals.

Reproduction

The gestation period of the dwarf guinea pig takes 54 days on average. Then they bring in, whose birth weight is up to three in rare cases up to five cubs are born on average at 30 g. Take from the beginning next breast milk solid food.

Species

• Southern dwarf guinea pigs ( Microcavia australis)
• Microcavia shiptoni
• Microcavia niata