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<h2>The Fascinating Story of the Guinea Pig</h2> <p> Many a time when you visit with a friend or relative one of their children will drag you out to see their pet guinea pig, but have you ever stopped and asked yourself what you know about these delightful pets?<br /><br />They are quite fascinating animals who have not always been domesticated as they are today, so just where do they come from and how did they get that strange name?<br /><br />Well, guinea pigs are technically known as Cavies, and they are a part of what we know of as the rodent family.<br /><br />Now although they have only come into prominence in the past few decades, they have actually been around for a very long time, and in fact a number of fossils have been found which indicate that guinea pigs were around as far as 18 million years ago. Who said they were a new pet?<br /><br />Now for something else to surprise you, they used to be much larger than they are today, averaging around 9 feet long. That's a sizeable pet.<br /><br />The first people to domesticate the guinea pig were the Incas, and South America is where they were first discovered. They were, and still are revered as both an Icon, and a source of food, in many South American countries.<br /><br />In many parts of Peru they are thought very highly of because of their apparent ability to heal the sick and bring comfort and solace to the dying as they move into the next life.<br /><br />The guinea pig first arrived in Europe and America as a result of sailors bringing them there to sell for one guinea, and this is how they got their name.<br /><br />The other part of the name comes from what is in my opinion a vague likeness to the rear end of a pig, and also to the tendency to squeal like a pig.<br /><br />One of their claims to fame is that they have been popular in the field of research and who I wonder has never heard the expression 'being a guinea pig'?<br /><br />They have proved to be a great help to medical science, but sadly at the cost of many guinea pigs lives. They have helped save many human lives, at the cost of their own. Does the end justify the means? Dear reader, you must decide that for yourself.<br /><br />We are still using guinea pigs for research even today, distasteful as this might sound to you, but I am assured that they are not hurt or mistreated in any way.<br /><br />Today in Peru, guinea pigs still play a prominent role in various ceremonies, and quite often a person will give one as a present when they are trying to impress.<br /><br />You may be surprised to learn that a rodent could be so well loved, but a recent survey placed guinea pigs just behind dogs, cats and rabbits in the popular pet league.<br /><br />Well now, the next time your friend's children show you their latest pet I think you will look at it with different eyes. <p style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top:5pt"> <font face="Arial" style="font-size: 10pt">Article Source: <a href="http://www.ArticlesMaker.com">ArticlesMaker.com</a></font></p> <h3>About the Author</h3> Next thing check out John Savages great resource on <a href="http://tinyurl.com/4ogpgj" target="_blank">guinea pigs</a> where you can pick up some free materials and detailed descriptions on these fantastic animals

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