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In this article, Makenna talks about the history of guinea pigs, how they got to America, the process of domestication and why these creatures are so loveable.
Guinea Pigs: Where did they come from?
Guinea Pigs: Where did they come from?
By Makenna Curry
By Makenna Curry
Guinea pigs are definitely interesting animals. With their small yet long, fat bodies and adorable, big eyes, they sure are strange. Where did these animals even come from? How are they now one of the most domesticated animals in America?
Despite the name, guinea pigs are not from Guinea, nor are they related to pigs. According to Four Paws, “Guinea pigs originated from the Andes of South America, where wild guinea pigs can still be found.” Domesticated guinea pigs actually do not exist naturally in the wild, but are closely related to montane guinea pigs, which are non-domesticated guinea pigs currently living wild in the Andes of South America. As stated by the Smithsonian's National Zoo, "These rodents were domesticated as early as 5,000 B.C, typically for livestock and specifically for their meat." In the Andean region, guinea pigs are still consumed in certain parts of the world.
Now, in the Western world, guinea pigs are typically distributed as pets and friendly companions. Due to this, guinea pigs are extremely overpopulated in the U.S. Most rescue organizations, being over capacity, have waiting lists for people to surrender their guinea pigs. Tons of guinea pigs across the U.S. are abandoned, overcrowded, abused, and living in unsanitary conditions. Luckily, in certain places, such as New York, lawmakers are developing bans on selling guinea pigs and other small animals. This law will move society a step in the right direction, and will hopefully be enacted in other states to help end guinea pig overpopulation.
The United States is one of the biggest consumers of guinea pigs, but how did these little animals end up in the U.S.? Guinea pigs were first introduced to Europe and North America by European traders in the 16th century. They were actually traded as pets rather than food, due to their docile and friendly nature. Even Queen Elizabeth I was a huge fan of guinea pigs. All of these factors led to their popularity in Europe and North America, leading to “approximately 1.5 million families own[ing] guinea pigs in the USA”, as stated by Kavee, a support site for guinea pig owners. Guinea pigs have been a huge hit in the U.S. and Europe, but this has ultimately led to (once again) overpopulation of the rodents. The U.S. has not done much to help the overpopulation, other than enacting laws in certain states or counties. Overpopulation will likely continue due to popularity, lack of shelter space, rapid and selective breeding, and high abandonment rates.
An image of a breeding mill, from PETA
For those looking to adopt a guinea pig, there are multiple ways to help with the overpopulation while also being able to have one of these cute critters as a companion. A great tip is to not buy guinea pigs or any other pets from pet shops, such as Petco or PetSmart. This is due to pet stores like these typically stocking guinea pigs and other animals from harsh breeding mills. Inside these breeding mills, there are rows of breeding guinea pigs constantly having litter after litter. The babies are then put in boxes and sent off to these stores. Breeding mills such as these are contributing heavily to the overpopulation of guinea pigs, as well as leading to serious medical problems and more. Instead of buying from pet shops, buy from local shelters near you. Plenty of shelters have guinea pigs or other rodents that need to be adopted. Another way is to make sure unplanned breeding does not happen. Keep in mind that guinea pigs can breed at a very young age, so it is smart to get two of the same sex or keep them separated if you get two of the opposite sex. (Do not get only one guinea pig! Guinea pigs love being in pairs of two or more, and can easily get depressed or lonely without being a pair.) Lastly, there are plenty of rescues you can help by donating and volunteering at your local animal shelter. Contributing to this great cause helps to keep guinea pigs safe and decreases their overwhelming population.
Guinea pigs are still one of the most domesticated animals in the world, especially in the U.S. They are lovely little critters that are friendly and docile. If you are looking to adopt, then please remember to adopt locally!
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