View Full Version : Why guinea pigs are called cavys?
Does anyone know? Just about everytime I get on a guinea pig site, they call thme cavys. Does cavy meen something?:confused:
cavy is short for the latin name Cavia porcellus
CathyBogart
11-29-2003, 09:52 PM
Actually, I've often wondered why Cavies are called Guinea Pigs, since they are not from Guinea nor are they similar to pigs in any way. LoL
zanzanfergie
11-30-2003, 12:12 AM
Wolfchan, one theory is that the name stems from when they used to be sold for one guinea apiece, in the old days - and the pig comes from the way they wheek, just like little piglets. That's what I heard anyway, but there a couple theories.
Thanks everyone, it's been on my mind for some time.:D
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