Guinea pigs are also called Dutch pigs. Guinea pigs are much bigger than hamsters. They are cute and very popular. Guinea pigs and hamsters are very similar. Many people can't tell clearly. How big can guinea pigs grow? What are the differences between guinea pigs and hamsters?
How big can guinea pigs grow
The Dutch pig is a guinea pig. It comes from the Andes of South America. The body length of an adult Dutch pig can reach 15-20 cm, and some Dutch pigs can grow to 30 cm. Guinea pig is very quiet, docile and lovely, so it is deeply loved and cared by people.
The life span of Dutch pigs is generally about 5-7 years old, but some Dutch pigs can live to 10 years old. At the age of 6 months, the guinea pig is mature and can carry out normal mating and reproduction, and then breed the next generation.
Dutch pig is a specialty of South America. It mainly inhabits in rock slope, grassland, forest edge and swamp. They can reproduce all year round. Generally, they can give birth to 1-7 babies per litter. Under normal circumstances, they can give birth to 2-4 babies, but the least guinea pigs can give birth to 1 baby, and the most can give birth to 7 babies.
The difference between guinea pig and hamster
1. Noise
If the hamster's running wheel is not in the right position, it will be noisy, and the guinea pig's voice will not be very loud. And when guinea pigs grow up, their calls will decrease.
2. Life span
The life span of guinea pigs is relatively long, and the life span of some guinea pigs may reach about 10 years. The life span of hamsters is much shorter, generally about 2-3 years.
The difference between hamsters and guinea pigs in childhood may not be very big, but as time goes on, it will be reflected.
3. Food intake
Relatively speaking, the food intake of guinea pigs is larger than that of hamsters, and the size of guinea pigs is larger than that of hamsters. The coat of guinea pig can be divided into reverse coat and consequent coat, while hamster grows in consequent coat. Observe that the hamster has a tail about 0.5 cm, but the guinea pig does not. It must be the hamster who hides food in the cheek, because the Dutch pig has no food sac, and the hamster can only see two teeth. Guinea pigs are bigger than hamsters, and the body is sharp, hamsters are round. The difference between guinea pig and hamster
4. Needed goods and energy
In terms of cost, guinea pigs are bigger than hamsters in the early stage, because there are more things to buy in cages, such as eating pots, grass racks, water bottles, toilets, lifting grass, food, etc. However, the cost of hamsters is not much cheaper than guinea pigs. If the imported rat food is chosen for hamsters, the price may be relatively higher, but the cage where hamsters live should be smaller and the cost is relatively less. If the owner has strong hands-on ability, he can even DIY himself. Of course, if you want more advanced, then the price is not cheap.
5. Space
Generally speaking, hamsters only need a suitable cage and running wheel.
6. IQ
Relatively speaking, guinea pigs are more intelligent than hamsters. The relationship between guinea pigs and us is more like cats and dogs. When they get familiar with their owners, they will be very close to people, which can be said to be more intelligent. Hamsters can also be loved, but they are relatively more likely to fear people. So relatively speaking, guinea pigs are more likely to be close to people than hamsters, and guinea pigs are more gentle and less likely to bite people.
7. Body odor
The smell is bigger than that of hamster, but if the owner pays more attention to cleaning, it will not cause much impact. Guinea pigs and hamsters stink differently, so do bears and hamsters. However, no matter which one is, we can't ignore the cleaning work at ordinary times. In addition, if the hamster's running wheel is not in the right position, it will be noisy, and the guinea pig's voice will not be very loud. And when guinea pigs grow up, their calls will decrease.