There's more to pets than just cats and dogs, am I right? There are also plenty of furry, feathery, and scaly creatures owned and loved by people everywhere. One of my favorite little guys is the guinea pig, which I always wanted as a child. They're big enough that they are hard to lose (unlike hamsters and gerbils) but still small enough for young hands to hold. If you're considering adopting a guinea pig yourself — or you already have one and want to know more about them — check out these fun facts about the furry creatures that aren't even pigs at all!
- Guinea pigs purr like cats when they're happy.
- Sows (female guinea pigs) are pregnant for 70 days before having their babies.
- Guinea pigs have four toes on each of their front feet and three toes on each of the back feet.
- They can live up to eight years, but the longest-living guinea pig on record made it to 15 years.
- Guinea pigs enjoy the shade because they can't sweat to regulate their body temperature in the heat.
- Guinea pigs' teeth never stop growing! They constantly have to grind them down on toys or other things.
- They are very clean animals because they spend a lot of time grooming themselves and others.
- They are incredibly social animals and want to spend time with you. They like to play and be held, but only if you're gentle!
- Guinea pigs aren't even pigs! They aren't related to the pig family at all; they're actually just rodents.
- Guinea pigs are completely domesticated animals and do not naturally exist in the wild.