by Rena Sherwood

Created on: February 10, 2008

All animals have their good points and bad points. But the most remarkable and endearing animal, in this writer's opinion, is the guinea pig. This little creature has had a huge impact of human beings. We could learn a lot by following the ways of guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs (also called cavies) were domesticated by the Incas thousands of years ago. They lived with people for so long that today we do not know for sure what strain of wild cavy-like creatures gave rise to the domesticated guinea pig. There are many rodents in South America and several that resemble short-haired guinea pigs. However, their intestinal tracts, coloring and behaviors are a lot different from a domestic guinea pig.

Guinea pigs were (and still are) bred originally for food and for sacrifice. Guinea pig was one of the few steady sources of protein for the ancient Peruvians. In the West, guinea pigs are still used for food for people on some occasions and food for large reptiles on many more occasions.

In the days of the Incan Empire, guinea pigs were considered special enough to be sacrificed to the gods. We continue this tradition in modern times by having guinea pigs be laboratory animals for medical experiments and cosmetic testing. Different gods same sacrifice.

And yet the guinea pig is a happy, vibrant character that will give even human beings a second chance. They even use a noise that is only used for begging food off of human beings. Just rattle a plastic bag near a guinea pig and hear what happens.

We share some similarities to guinea pigs. Both of our species are social, both are mainly diurnal (active in daylight hours) and both cannot manufacture Vitamin C in our bodies. Both people and piggies have to eat Vitamin C laden food in order to not get incredibly ill. Both species also love attention and affection.

These portable pets bring years of delight, comfort and copious amounts of pellets to anyone lucky enough to be enslaved by them. Although I cannot have guinea pigs as pets now because of my dog, I see an inner guinea pig in all animals. If we could all live lives half as helpful as guinea pigs, this world would be a lot better place.

Learn more about this author, Rena Sherwood.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.