|
Guinea Pigs, or cavies as they are known to most of the world
are unique and very interesting animals. The guinea pig originates
in South America, principally Peru where they are kept as
food. They live 5-8 years. Males are called boars and the
females sows. They have an extremely long gestation period
of 68 days which is longer than dogs or cats. The piglets,
when born, are exact duplicates of their parents. While most
rodent babies are born pink, naked and blind, Guinea Pigs
are fully-furred, wide eyed and ready to run. Their endearing
habit of whistling is very appealing and they rarely bite,
making them an ideal pet for children.
Guinea Pigs come in 4 coat varieties. There is the normal
or smooth coat, the "Abysinnian" which has a long
fancy coat made up of swirling rosettes and cowlicks, and
the most elegant-the "Peruvian". The hair of this
variety grows all the way to the floor giving them the look
of an extremely small Shitzu making it difficult to tell one
end from the other. There is also a new coat variety known
as the "Teddy" whose coat has the texture of a short
bristle brush. Since Guineas are tropical animals their diet
requires an ample supply of Vitamin C.
Remember, not too many green veggies or your pig will get
diarrhea. Because of their inability to jump they can be kept
in a short sided box without a cover. Males will fight if
they are mixed but females can be safely kept together.
Rabbits are great pets and come in a wide variety of sizes,
colors and type. Contrary to popular opinion, rabbits are
not rodents, differing in the way the upper and lower incisors
are shaped and arranged. They and their cousins, the Hares,
belong to a family of animals called Lagomorphs. The largest
rabbits are the Flemish giants of New Zealand Whites. Many
as large as 30 pounds have been recorded. The smallest are
the Netherland Dwarfs, which are 2-3 pounds. The best seller
is the 5-7 pound Dutch bunny.
Male rabbits are called Bucks and females are Does. They
are very quiet animals-the only sound they make is a baby-like
scream when they are terrified. Never lift a rabbit by the
ears!!! Bucks should not be mixed or fights will ensue. The
nails, particularly on the rear legs, should be filed or clipped
regularly. In a clean, healthy environment, rabbits can live
up to 10 years. Many people make the mistake of feeding them
rabbit pellets and their pets wind up with a disease called
scurvy due to a lack of Vitamin C.
In order to provide a happy, healthy atmosphere for your
rabbits and guinea pigs, Petland recommends some necessary
as well as fun accessories. Visit your local Petland today
and consult with a Pet Counselor to insure you are providing
these fun and essential items your rabbits and guinea pigs
need. |
Ask
Safari Stan