A pig is a small pig. This is the first definition that comes to mind. But it turns out that not only the pet in grandma’s barn is called this way. It's also childish infection, characterized by inflammation of the parotid gland. It is also an oblong metal ingot in the shape of a bar. This is what they call a wooden block for playing gorodki in some areas. And in ancient times, a dolphin was called a pig (information from Ushakov’s Explanatory Dictionary).
There is also guinea pig. Small domestic rodent. Very funny, friendly and easy to train. But fortunately or unfortunately, he does not look like a pig, or an infection, or a piece of wood. And he doesn't like to swim. Then what does the “guinea pig” have to do with it? Why is this cute animal called that?
Why "pig"?
It is noteworthy that this fluffy rodent is called “pig” not only by Russians. Other nations also have something similar in their name.
- In England - small Indian, nimble or domestic pig (Indian little pig, Restless cavy, Guinea pig, Domestic cavy).
- In France - Indian pig (cochon d'Inde).
- In Spain - the same as in France (Cochinillo das India).
- In Belgium - mountain pig (cochon des montagnes).
Italy, Holland and Portugal of the little animal are in some way in solidarity with each other. The term used in Germany is also translated similarly to the Russian name.
The similarity of this animal to a pig is not striking, but it is still there:
- massive head (in comparison with the body);
- elongated body;
- short neck and short legs;
- coarse wool (in wild representatives of the race);
- hoof-like claws;
- lack of a tail (a pig, of course, has one, but it’s so ridiculous that it’s easier not to notice such a twig-like tail);
- in a state of complete satisfaction and satiety, small rodents grunt, and when frightened, they squeal (which is very reminiscent of the behavior of a well-known large domestic animal).
Zoologists turned out to agree with the opinion of mere mortals (after all, people write zoology) and classified the plump rodent as a member of the Pig family (Half-ungulates). Zoological brothers/sisters - rabbit, squirrel, beaver. The domestic pig is not included here (it belongs to the Pork family).
What does “sea” have to do with it?
In most cases, people call animals the way they perceive them. The leading role in the name can be played not only appearance, but also the behavior, habits, and attitude of a person towards this living being. Why is the hare “slanting”? Why is a squirrel called "squirrel"? And the woodpecker as a “forest doctor”?
But the pig? What does the sea have to do with it?
Tame small rodents are descendants of wild inhabitants of South America. In nature, they run very fast and nimble. They eat only at night, and become especially active in the morning and twilight hours. They set up their houses in mountain crevices, burrows, or construct their own dwellings from plants.
Wild pigs live in packs. Each family has its own territory, which is protected from individuals from other packs. They feed on plants. And they reproduce at any time of the year.
Wild animals became domesticated a long time ago. They were first domesticated by the Andean people. People built enclosures for little pets, fed them with the remains of their food, and then killed them for food and rituals. Proof of this fact are the results of excavations. The remains of pig enclosures and bones of these animals were found, dating back to the third millennium BC.
And today in the Andes no one will refuse a dish made from “sea” meat. This is a delicious and delicate delicacy that is not accessible to everyone.
Later, the cute rodents were not only eaten, but also bred for laboratory experiments. The animal is very sensitive and receptive to many stimuli, which benefits scientists. His reaction to the injected substances could be observed almost immediately. Today, by the way, many laboratories experiment on these rodents, not rats.
The domesticated rodent came to Europe around the second half of the sixteenth century. It can be assumed that people became acquainted with this animal from west to east. The animal most likely came to Russia from Germany. And there the small pet was already called “sea”. The Russians simply borrowed the name.
Pigs were brought on ships “from overseas.” At first, presumably, they were called “overseas”. Then they cut it. It turned out - “sea”.
The animal does not like water. Does not settle near the sea. Therefore, this single explanation for its name can be considered the most reliable.
Origin of Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are small mammals native to South America. Even today, the guinea pig can be found in the wild in this area. They live both in the mountains and in the forest, fields and even swamps. After its opening this furry animal quickly won the hearts of people, and they began to be kept as pets all over the world. Guinea pigs were favorite companions of sailors, being unpretentious in food and maintenance, and easily trained. It was an “overseas” animal, but after many years, the name “overseas” grew into “sea”. So these rodents began to be called “guinea pigs,” although they themselves have a very bad attitude towards water!
But why pigs? The reason for this name was the habits of this rodent. When he is full and satisfied, he grunts quietly. But as soon as it is frightened, the rodent emits a wild, piercing squeal, which is very reminiscent of the squeal of small piglets. That is why the guinea pig became a “piggy”. If you take a very close look at the body structure of a guinea pig, you can easily discern the external similarity between the rodent and the mammal of the same name. Like the pig, the guinea pig has short legs, a rather massive head on a short neck and a thick body.
There is a huge variety of various types guinea pigs, most of which are artificially bred. In nature, guinea pigs have short hair, while species with very long hair have been bred for domestic keeping. They are all very friendly and funny.
Looking at a guinea pig, it’s hard not to smile. The nimble fidget moves funny, makes funny sounds and looks very cute. In addition, he has an easy-going, good-natured character, which makes this creature an almost ideal pet. But why its name contains the word “sea” is not clear. And in general, the name of the animal is full of misunderstandings.
Little old-timers (guinea pigs and antiquity)
Fluffy animals were tamed by the Incas in ancient times. Some South American peoples even worshiped them and used them in ritual sacrifices. Others were bred solely for food. In the Peruvian version of the Last Supper, there is a dish of roasted pig in the center of the table.
In the 16th century, Spanish colonizers saw the furry baby at the market and then tried its meat in a local tavern. The taste was reminiscent of suckling pig or chicken. In addition, local cooks scalded the carcass before skinning, just as when processing pork.
Today, in the shacks of the descendants of the Incas, it is easy to meet an animal in a cage, unaware of its imminent fate of being fried on the table. And according to legend, the people here believe that stove smoke is beneficial for them. That's why they are kept in kitchens near the fireplace. In restaurants, dishes made from them are served whole with herbs and hot sauces. Meat is considered dietary.
Around 1580, the Spaniards first brought the baby to Europe. An unpretentious disposition and simplicity in everyday life helped to overcome the enormous distance. His unusual appearance, gullibility and unpretentiousness won the heart of a civilized person. And he settled in houses solely for decorative purposes.
Name appearance: guinea pig
And since the route ran through the seas, they called it “overseas”. Over time, the prefix “for” was lost. But the name remained. By the way, mumps is called this way in Germany, Poland and Russia. In England it is called Indian pig, in other countries - Guinea pig, in South America- gooey. In her homeland she was considered a little rabbit.
Today, these strange animals are common in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia in natural conditions. They prefer abandoned burrows as homes. If necessary, they can dig on their own. The sociable nature sometimes forces them to gather in families of 5-8 individuals. But pigs can’t swim at all and don’t like water.
Relationship between the guinea pig and rodents and pigs
The guinea pig is an absolute rodent. It does not at all belong to the category of artiodactyls. Its resemblance to a pig is contrived by man and is based on distant external signs. A dense body with a rounded back, short legs, an almost undefined neck, a large head - that’s all that reminds her of the appearance of a pig.
Rodents are kept in spacious cages away from drafts. To prevent your pet from getting sick, a special diet and daily routine is recommended. They are fed with special hay, mixed feed, which are sold in pet stores, as well as grass. Surprisingly, they cannot be stopped from eating their own droppings. It turns out that the vitamins K and B contained in it are absorbed only in this way.
Sitting still for a long time can cause diseases of the limbs and claws. Therefore, you should allow your pet to run around the apartment for a couple of hours a day. On warm days, sunbathing outdoors is a good idea. Frequent communication will even teach you some tricks. And care and love can extend the life of a guinea pig from 8 to 15 years. Through the efforts of breeders, over 20 original breeds have been bred.
The homeland of domestic guinea pigs is South America. Guinea pigs are distributed throughout almost the entire territory of this continent. Of course, they have nothing in common with the sea and pigs. Wild pigs differ from domesticated pigs in their lighter body structure and greater mobility. The fur color of a wild animal is black-brown. They move very quickly and agilely, their peak activity is observed in the mornings and at dusk, but they feed only at night. The homes of guinea pigs are just as diverse; some species dig burrows, others build ground shelters from plants, and others use natural shelters, such as rock crevices. They live in flocks consisting of several (ten to twenty) individuals led by one male. Each flock has its own territory, where entry is closed to outside pigs. They feed on accessible parts of plants, from roots to seeds. They reproduce intensively at different times of the year, which contributes to the protection of the species.
Wild pigs were domesticated by humans in pre-Inca times. They were bred throughout almost the entire territory of the Central Andes both for ritual purposes and for food consumption, since the meat of pigs was considered very tasty. The pigs were kept practically the same as ordinary pigs. In enclosures and fed table scraps. This is evidenced by both drawings and found mummies of guinea pigs. During excavations (III-II millennium BC), special rooms for guinea pigs were discovered. There were tunnels lined with stones, passing between adjacent rooms. Numerous pig bones and fish bones were found in them, indicating that fishermen raised the rodents in comfortable quarters and fed them with surplus fish. Even though guinea pigs are herbivores, modern Peruvian fishermen still feed them scraps and kitchen scraps containing a large number of fish. Guinea pig meat remains a delicacy for residents of the Andean coast to this day.
Guinea pigs were brought to Europe by Spanish conquerors 4 centuries ago from Peru. According to some scientists, the guinea pig came to Europe in 1580. But this rodent does not have a single name. IN different countries it is called differently.
In England - Indian little pig, restless cavy, restless cavy, Guinea pig, domestic cavy.
The Indians call the pig a name that Europeans hear as “cavy.” The Spaniards living in America called this animal a rabbit, while other colonists continued to persistently call it a little pig, and this name was brought to Europe along with the animal. Before the arrival of Europeans in America, pigs served as food for the Indians. And all the Spanish writers of that time mention her as a little rabbit.
It seems strange that this animal is called a Guinea pig, although it is not a breed of pig and is not native to Guinea. This is probably explained by how Europeans learned about the existence of mumps. When the Spaniards entered Peru, they saw a small animal for sale that looked a lot like a suckling pig.
Also, writers of those times called America India. Hence another name for the pig - Indian pig.
The name “Guinea pig” is of English origin, and most likely it came from the fact that the British had more trade relations with the shores of Guinea than with South America. The similarity between the pig and the domestic pig came only from the way the natives prepared it for food: they poured boiling water over it to remove the hair, just as they did to remove the bristles from a pig.
In France, the guinea pig is called cochon d "Inde - Indian pig - or cobaye, in Spain it is Cochinillo das India - Indian pig, in Italy - porcella da India, or porchita da India - Indian pig, in Portugal - Porguinho da India - Indian pig, in Belgium - cochon des montagnes - mountain pig, in Holland - Indiaamsoh varken - Indian pig, in Germany - Meerschweinchen - guinea pig.
It can be assumed that the guinea pig spread in Europe from west to east, and the name that exists in Russia - guinea pig, most likely indicates the import of pigs “from overseas”, on ships. For the most part, pigs spread from Germany, so the German name came to us - guinea pig. And in all other countries it is known as Indian pig.
The guinea pig, of course, has nothing to do with either the sea or pigs. The name “pig” itself appeared due to the structure of the animals’ heads. These animals have an elongated body, coarse fur, a short neck, and relatively short legs. The front legs have four and the hind legs have three toes, which have large hoof-shaped claws. The pig has no tail. Guinea pigs are very talkative. In a calm state, a guinea pig's voice resembles the gurgling of water; in a state of fear, it resembles a squeal. In general, the sounds made by this rodent are very similar to the grunting of pigs, this is another reason for such a strange name. Most likely, the guinea pig originally served as food in Europe.
The guinea pig belongs to the order of rodents, family - pigs. She has two false roots, six molars and two incisors in each jaw. A characteristic feature of all rodents is that their incisors grow throughout their lives.
The incisors are covered with enamel - the hardest substance - only on the outer side, so the back of the incisor wears off faster and thanks to this, a sharp, outer cutting surface is always maintained.
The incisors are used for eating roughage.
A guinea pig cannot defend itself from enemies, and if it did not live in a pack, it would be doomed. But due to its massive presence, it is very difficult to take the group by surprise. They have a very keen ear and excellent sense of smell. For more effective protection, they rest and take turns guarding. At the sentry's signal, the pigs instantly hide in their holes. The cleanliness of the animal also serves as additional protection. Guinea pigs often "wash themselves", brush themselves, and lick themselves. It is unlikely that a predator will be able to find them by smell; the fur coat emits only a slight smell of hay.
Currently, many species of wild guinea pigs are known. They all look very similar to domestic ones. The only difference is that the color of the fur is one color, often gray, brown or brownish. Despite the fact that the female has only two teats, there are often 3-4 cubs in one litter. Pregnancy lasts 2 months. The cubs are born well developed, sighted, grow very quickly and after 2-3 months they are already able to give birth to offspring.
The average weight of an adult pig reaches 1 kg, body length is about 25 cm. They live for about 8-10 years, which is quite a long time for a rodent.
The guinea pig is often used as a laboratory animal, as it is highly sensitive to pathogens of many infectious diseases in humans and farm animals.
The guinea pig occupies one of the first places among laboratory animals in the works of domestic and foreign bacteriologists and virologists I.I. Mechnikova, N.F. Gamaleya, R. Koch, P. Ru and others.
The guinea pig to this day has great importance as a laboratory animal for medical and veterinary bacteriology, virology, pathology, physiology, etc.
In our country, guinea pig is widely used in all areas of medicine, as well as in studying issues of human nutrition and especially in studying the effect of vitamin C.
Relatives of the guinea pig are: rabbit, squirrel, beaver, capybara.
This cute animal is a favorite not only of many children, but also of adults. He doesn't bite, quickly gets used to your hands, and doesn't require any special care. However, even with such a cute little animal in the house, not everyone thinks about why a guinea pig is a pig? After all, it is clear that it has no direct relation to dairy grunting animals. On the other hand, why is a guinea pig a guinea pig? After all, neither she nor her wild relatives can swim. Let's find out these questions, for this we will have to plunge into history.
general information
Before we get down to the question of why a guinea pig is called this way and not another, let’s find out where the homeland of these animals is and why they were domesticated. The Indians started in South America, and this was back in the 7th century BC. e. In their homeland, rodents were then called gooi, or aporea. Their reproduction in nature occurs all year round, pregnancy lasts a little more than 2 months, and just a few hours after giving birth the animal is ready to reproduce again! It was for this reason that the Indians bred rodents, using them as household pigs, serving as their main source of meat, and they were also sacrificed and used for other similar rituals. By the way, in some countries these rodents are still eaten, and the Peruvians once bred a breed of very large guinea pig for this purpose; it weighed about 2.5 kg. They were first brought to Europe in the 16th century, but rodents were very expensive, and not everyone could afford to play with a funny animal.
Why is a guinea pig a pig? First version
Yes, there are several versions regarding this issue. One of them says that when the Spaniards first landed in South America and saw these rodents, they seemed very similar to them, so they began to eat them without hesitation. After all, if you take a closer look at the guinea pig, you can see some similarities with the grunting animal. For example, such as short legs, a rather short neck and a plump body.
Second version
According to other sources, the next version as to why a guinea pig is a pig appeared due to the behavior of the animal. The fact is that when a rodent is anxious, wants to eat, is very dissatisfied with something, or, on the contrary, is in a great mood and is glad to see its owner, it makes peculiar sounds that look like grunting or squealing. No one knows for sure which of these two versions is reliable. We can only say one thing - the guinea pig owes its name to the Spaniards. We have found out why the animal is called this way, but not completely. It remains to figure out why the pig is a guinea pig.
Overseas animal
In this regard, there is an assumption that in Europe these rodents spread from west to east, and the name that we have today indicates that the animals were brought on ships from overseas, that is, there were overseas pigs from the very beginning. These cute animals, which are unpretentious in maintenance and nutrition and are easy to train, were favorite companions of sailors. But in fact, guinea pigs hate water, so don’t try to teach your pet to swim, he will simply drown.
Another interesting riddle
Guinea pig is exactly what a guinea pig is called in English. And regarding the translation, there are two versions. According to one assumption, the animal is called “Guinean” in translation because in English. Guinea - Guinea. Perhaps this version was formed due to the incorrect fact that African Guinea is the birthplace of guinea pigs. According to the second version, when the animals were brought to Europe, they were very expensive, which is where (possibly) the name guinea pig came from - “pig for a guinea.” This price was high for the vast majority of the population. It is difficult to give preference to one of these versions. However, in any case, the animals are still paying for the speculations of the pioneers.
Cute pets
We tried to figure out why a guinea pig is a pig, and where the name came from. One thing is certain - if you buy such a pet, you are guaranteed a lot of positive emotions. It is advisable for guinea pigs to live at home in a high cage with a deep tray, and sawdust, hay or specific fillers that are sold in special stores can be used as bedding. Rodents enjoy eating grain crops. A very important condition for their normal functioning is a sufficient amount clean water for drinking, preferably with the addition of vitamin C. But in general, animals are sociable, inquisitive, and smart. Within a few days they will begin to respond to their nickname and will be able to calmly fall asleep in your arms. They will become a real and full-fledged member of your family.
Why is the guinea pig called so - guinea pig? How did a rodent, a distant relative of the rabbit and porcupine, become a waterfowl? Unfortunately, history did not bother to preserve reliable facts. But there are interesting versions that we will share with you.
You yourself... are a waterfowl! How a rodent received the “title” of artiodactyl
First, let's look at the origin of the name “pig”.
When the Spanish conquistadors reached the homeland of future pets (the Andes in South America), the local population bred rodents as livestock(to put it simply, “for meat”). And it is not surprising that they were first seen in the form of a dish. The carcass of the animal really resembles a suckling pig. This is where the name “pig” comes from. This is the most realistic version of the appearance of the name.
By the way, in Peru you can still find Cui (the local name for guinea pig) on the menu of catering establishments, although this is not as common as in the time of Columbus.
Additional versions of the name appearance
Even when alive, a guinea pig looks like a piglet, except that it has no heel:
- Disproportionately large head
- Droopy ears
- Short legs
- The shape of the body is similar to that of a pig
On the other hand, if people named newly discovered animals after already known ones, then there would be big problems with diversity. Therefore, the version is doubtful.
A more plausible theory states that the animal is so named because of the sounds it makes. When the pet is happy, it grunts - very similar to a young pig. And when scared it makes a pig-like squeal. Based on these analogies, the name appeared.
Yes, in this form the similarity is obvious. How a pig became a guinea pig
We've sorted out the pig-likeness, but what about the sea? Not only do guinea pigs not swim, but they also don’t like water.
The simplest explanation here is that the ancestors of modern domestic animals were brought from overseas. So they called them overseas, sea. The same name for rodents in Polish and German.
This theory is partially confirmed by the name Guinea pig, because. in those days in England, everything that was imported from overseas was called “Guinean”.
This requires some clarification: Guinea is in West Africa, and the Kui originated from South America. Here, as in the entire history of overseas rodents, there are no simple answers. The most common explanations are:
- The word "Guinean" was used to mean "overseas"
- Guinea is similar to Guiana (a French colony in South America), so there was confusion
- Guinea pigs initially cost exactly 1 guinea (English coin), hence the nickname.
Version of the priests' conspiracy
In an attempt to circumvent the restrictions on eating meat during fasting, Catholic priests came up with all sorts of things. So cavy (another name for our pets) was included in seafood.
Of course, it was difficult to do this unnoticed. Therefore, they came up with the following reason: cavy were imported along with capybaras (rodents with a semi-aquatic lifestyle). On this basis, the priests classified pigs as... fish. And they decided to call them sea - to explain their actions.
The story may seem crazy, but many foods from the New World bypassed the prohibitions on consumption during Lent. For example, cocoa, although it can hardly be considered an abstinence food.
The simplest explanation
The simplest explanation for the origin of the name “guinea pig” is that the first sailors who reached the animals’ habitats adopted the experience of breeding them from the local Incas. And on the return trip they were taken to the ship (usually “standard” European pigs were taken on the trip and kept in a pen in the hold).
Rodents are friendly, can eat dried vegetation, do not take up much space, and produce much less waste. So they replaced the usual grunts on the Spanish ships. The name, based on the circumstances, is the most logical.
But everything changed upon arrival in Europe. There were few animals left, they were highly valued (as a curiosity), and it was more profitable to sell the remaining animals instead of using them for food. This is how the food animals migrated from the galley to the living rooms of aristocrats.
The owner calls him a pig so often that it’s better to hide before the New Year. Other names for guinea pigs
We have already mentioned the names Kavi (Kavi, Kavia), Kui, Guinean - in different countries the animal is called differently. It remains to remember that they haven’t named it yet.
The official scientific name in Latin is Cavia porcellus. The first part is derived from the local name of the animals. The second literally means “pig”.
In the UK the most common name is Indian pig. In Spain - Indian rabbit. This is due to the fact that open America has long been considered India. In some Western European countries, the pig is called Peruvian.
Modern guinea pigs
Today's pets are very different from their wild ancestors. In nature, Cavias are brown with a slightly lighter belly. “Home” colors are much more fun: black, white, red, pearl, two-color, three-color... Almost any.
According to the type of wool there are:
- Longhair
- Shorthair
- Wirehaired
- Hairless
There is a color to suit every taste. Do you know any other versions?
If you know the origin of your pet’s name, write in the comments and we will add the information to the article. Or tell us about it on our social media pages.
Guinea pig is what this animal is called in Russia and in two or three other countries. But why a pig, and why a guinea pig? Where did this cute rodent get such a strange name?
Why a pig, it will become clear to you as soon as the pet gets used to the new place, begins to recognize you and understands where the “goodies” come from. An immediate demanding sound, like a grunt or squeal, will provide the answer.
According to another version, the pig owes its name to the Spanish conquerors, who thought they looked like suckling pigs.
Another idea why the guinea pig is called a pig is because the lower parts of the limbs of these rodents are shaped like hooves. In addition, some say that this animal is similar to pigs due to the structure of the head and rather elongated body. In addition, they were bred for meat, just like ordinary pigs in Europe.
And it is not called seafaring because it loves to swim in the sea. Obviously, this word has lost the prefix “for”. The pig was overseas, that is, brought from overseas.
The wild ancestors of our domesticated pigs still live in Peru. Cavy - this is what guinea pigs are called in other countries. Another name for these animals is Cuinea Pig - “pig for a guinea.” Either such pigs cost one guinea, or they were equated in price to one guinea and were used to pay for goods.
While in our country guinea pigs are known as popular pets, in their homeland in Central and South America these small rodents have been bred for thousands of years large quantities They are not meant to be kept as pets. In Peru, guinea pigs have always been bred and are still bred today as food. A special large specimen was even bred here, called Cuy - kui, which means “big”. Such “fodder” pigs can weigh up to four kilograms. Their meat is said to be similar to tender pork. But pigs are not only suppliers of meat for Peruvians; their skin is used to produce clothing and shoes. In addition, no trip to the local healer is complete without this black rodent. For example, it is believed that if a pig is simply applied to a sore stomach, the animal will take the pain upon itself. The local doctor usually takes payment for his services in food. Of course, there are ordinary doctors in the country, but the indigenous people, with their more than modest incomes, cannot afford them. It is interesting that, despite such strange treatment, the local population does not know what oncology and heart attacks are, and they are not familiar with asthma. This animal is highly valued by local residents and is even considered the best wedding gift for a newlywed.