ABSTRACT
Guinea pigs hold a place in human history that predates the European acquaintance with this small mammal. The guinea pig’s size, gentle nature, and coat variety make it a popular companion and hobby animal in the United States and other parts of the world. “Guinea” may have been a distortion of the departure point from the new world, Guyana, or a result of confusion, because many ships stopped on the coast of Africa on the way to Europe. The laboratory albino guinea pig has the most extreme albino allele in addition to other dilution factors, resulting in an animal that has no pigment except on the ears. Guinea pig fanciers are a small but devoted group of hobbyists who prefer to call their animals “cavies.” Close proximity to other guinea pigs is well tolerated both at rest and when moving, the group providing a measure of security.
