Guinea pigs are cute, fluffy pets that many people love. They make great companions with their gentle nature and adorable squeaks. But what exactly are these little animals?
Guinea pigs are rodents. They belong to the rodent family, along with mice, rats, and hamsters. Guinea pigs are part of a group called cavies. This puts them in the same family as other South American rodents.
While guinea pigs are rodents, they have some unique traits. Their teeth grow all the time, like other rodents. But guinea pigs have different body shapes and behaviors than mice or rats. They also can’t climb or jump as well as some other rodents. Still, their rodent features make them part of this diverse animal group.