Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Guinea-pig

GUINEA-PIG, or, as it is more properly termed, the Restless Cavy, Cavia Cobaya, is not a native of Guinea, but of Brasil, whence it has been imported into Europe.—It is about seven inches in length, and its white body is variegated with irregular black and orange-coloured spots. The female breeds at two months old, and brings forth ten, twelve, or fourteen young ones, several times in the course of the year, after a gestation of three weeks.

Guinea-pigs feed on all kinds of herbs, but are particularly fond of parsley, as likewise of apples and other fruit. In their wild state, they multiply prodigiously, and would become innumerable, if they were capable of sustaining cold and moisture. Cats are their natural enemies; but their haunts being supposed to be exempt from the inroads of rats, guinea-pigs might be usefully reared in country places infested with those predatory animals; as they afford a palatable and wholesome food. In a domestic state, they are very restless, and make a continual noise, similar to the grunt of a young pig.