Guinea pigs are originally from Peru, South America. Guinea pigs are gentle by nature, clean and easy to care for. However, they scatter their droppings indiscriminately, so their quarters require daily cleaning or the cage will become smelly. Because of the roly-poly appearance, small size, and comparative hardiness, guinea pigs are highly recommended as pets. They seldom bite, and will let people cradle them or carry them.
Guinea pigs eat hay, corn, oats, barley, wheat, green vegetables, and rabbit pellets.
If males and females are kept together they quickly reproduce. Gestation takes 60 to 70 days and the female can produce two or three litters a year with two to six young in each litter. The litter of pups nibbles at solid food very early in life. They are usually weaned at 14 to 18 days.