Guinea pigs are fascinating and unique pets whose traits make them very different from other domestic rodents. Let’s look at their various characteristics to see why they are such lovable and interesting creatures.

Senses

Guinea pigs have very poor eyesight and instead tend to rely on their other senses much more than humans.

Their senses of touch, smell and hearing are very well developed, which gives them the ability to orient themselves in their environment easily and quickly, sniffing for food and detecting predators early enough.

Physical ability

Because they have fairly large bodies and stubby legs, they are not particularly agile. They can run quite fast, but they are very poor at handling obstacles and cannot climb steep slopes. For this reason, it is best to give them a single-tier cage if possible.

Guinea pigs are good swimmers, which is a skill that probably evolved in the wild. However, they don’t actually like to swim, so you should never force your pets to swim.

Idiom

Guinea pigs communicate using talkative language, squeals and roars. Each sound has a different meaning, which will help you get to know your pets and figure out what they want.

You may also notice that your guinea pigs make a singing sound that looks a lot like a bird. No one is sure what this means exactly, but it is beautiful to experience.

Memory

Guinea pigs have very good memories and can remember a route through a maze for several months. They are also able to remember who their owner is, which is a great feeling and creates a special bond between you and your animals.

Nervousness

Guinea pigs are quite anxious pets and are easily startled by loud or sudden sounds. Because of this, you should always approach them carefully and avoid making loud sounds near them. If your pets get nervous, speak to them in a soft, soothing voice to help them calm down.