Why guinea pig? Why are guinea pigs called guinea pigs? Why are they called guinea pigs.

Each of us, at least once, but wondered where the names of certain objects, animals, plants and, in general, everything that surrounds us came from. It happens that explanations are found very quickly and simply, but it also happens that you have to dig. Today we propose to figure out together why a cute fluffy rodent is called a guinea pig, and what can be common between this small animal and artiodactyl with a piglet.

What is the name of the guinea pig in different languages

The name of the animal in other countries in different languages ​​is as follows:

• German - Meerchwein (Merschwein) - Guinea pig;
• English - guinea pig (Gany Pig) - Guinea pig, domestic cavy (domestic kevy) - domestic pig;
• Spanish - conejillo de Indias (conejiyo de indes) - Indian pig;
• Polish - swinka morska (marine pig);
• French - сochon d'Inde (koshun dadnde) - Indian pig;
• Ukrainian - guinea pig, guinea pig.

Despite the fact that in English-speaking countries the animal is called Guinean, the pig also remains, just like in Spanish and French, where it is called the Indian pig. Now we also use one of the English names and call the animal Kevy.

Did you know? The duration of sleep of furry rodents is only 10 minutes, but at least several times a day.

History of the origin of the name

The fact that in some languages ​​a land rodent that cannot swim is called a sea rodent is actually very simply explained: the birthplace of animals is South America and, accordingly, they were brought from across the ocean and therefore called overseas.

Because of the appearance

No matter how strange it may sound, but if you look closely at the rodent, you can find a certain resemblance to pigs. For example, the fact that they have a disproportionately large head relative to the body, like pigs. The short neck and legs also indicate a certain resemblance to piglets. Non-domesticated rodents have a rather coarse coat that resembles pig bristles. The claws on the small paws look like miniature hooves. It is also customary to attribute the absence of a tail to the Kevy.

Important! Zoologists classify the rodent as a member of the Mumps family (Semi-ungulates), their closest relatives are squirrels, rabbits and beavers.

Because of the habitat

In ancient times, when transported on ships, rodents were kept in compartments intended for pigs. The small animal is as voracious as artiodactyls, but it does not require too much space to grow, so it was very convenient to keep them on ships. Perhaps it was then that the sailors noticed certain similarities with piglets, and this played a certain role in the origin of the name of the rodent.

Important! In Peru, these rodents are habitual food, not pets, and up to 65 million rodents are eaten there annually.

It should also be noted that kewi meat is dietary, it is somewhat reminiscent of rabbit meat. In South America, rodents are still raised for food. They are kept in special utility rooms, just like pigs are bred here. Naturally, such animals are larger in size than their domesticated relatives.
Before preparing a dish from such meat, the carcasses are scalded with boiling water in order to make it easier to separate the wool, they do the same with pork in order to get rid of the bristles.

Because of the sounds

Kevy are very sociable, they are able to make a large number of sounds, each of which means what they want now. According to the melody, some of the sounds that this rodent makes strongly resemble artiodactyls, perhaps because of this the animals were called pigs.

Did you know? Some believe that Catholic priests have something to do with why the guinea pig got its name. After all, it turns out that due to the fact that it is sea, rodent meat is not meat at all, but fish, which means that it can be eaten even during fasting.

Due to origin

Regarding the English version, there are several theories why the pig was called Guinean. The first is due to the fact that trade with the Guinean coast at the time of the appearance of pigs in Europe was much more developed than with South America, and Guinea was erroneously ranked as part of India. The second version of the origin of the name is that initially rodents were not used as pets, but were eaten.

A pig is a small pig. This is the first definition that comes to mind. But it turns out that this is not only the grandmother's pet in the barn. It is also a childhood infectious disease characterized by inflammation of the parotid gland. It is also an oblong metal ingot in the form of a bar. So in some areas they call a wooden chock for playing towns. And in ancient times, a dolphin was called a pig (information from the Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov).

There is also a 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 wooden chock. 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 not only Russians call this fluffy rodent a “pig”. Other peoples also have something similar in the name.

• In England - a 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 somewhat in solidarity with each other. Like the Russian name, the term used in Germany is also translated.

The similarity of this animal to a pig is not striking, but still it is:

• 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;
• the absence of a tail (a pig, of course, has one, but it’s so ridiculous that it’s easier not to notice such a twig 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 be in solidarity with the opinion of mere mortals (after all, people write zoology) and attributed the plump rodent to the Svinkov family (Half-hoofed). Zoological brothers / sisters - rabbit, squirrel, beaver. The domestic pig is not included here (it belongs to the Pig family).

What does the "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 by the appearance, but also by the behavior, habits, attitude of a person towards this living creature. Why is the hare "oblique"? Why is a squirrel called a "squirrel"? And the woodpecker is a "forest doctor"?

But a pig? What is the sea?

Manual small rodents are the descendants of the wild inhabitants of South America. In nature, they run very fast and briskly. They eat only at night, and become especially active in the morning and twilight hours. They equip their houses in mountain crevices, burrows, or independently build dwellings from plants.

Wild pigs live in packs. Each family has its own territory, which is protected from individuals from other flocks. They feed on plants. And they breed at any time of the year.

Wild animals have been domesticated for a very long time. They were first domesticated by the Andeans. People built enclosures for little pets, fed them with the remnants of their food, and then killed them for food and rituals. The evidence for this fact is the results of the excavations. The remains of aviaries for pigs and the bones of these animals, dating back to the third millennium BC, have been found.

And today in the Andes no one will refuse a dish of "sea" meat. This is a delicious and delicate delicacy, not available to everyone.

Later, cute rodents were not only eaten, but also bred for laboratory experiments. The animal is very sensitive and receptive to many stimuli, which plays into the hands of scientists. His reaction to the injected substances could be observed almost immediately. Today, by the way, in many laboratories they 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 got acquainted with this animal from west to east. The animal came to Russia, most likely from Germany. And there, a small pet was already called "marine". The Russians simply borrowed the name.

Pigs were brought on ships "from across the sea." At first, presumably, they were called "overseas". Then they reduced it. It turned out - "marine".

The animal does not like water. Does not settle near the sea. Therefore, such a single explanation of 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 nature in this area. They live both in the mountains and in the forest, fields and even swamps. After its discovery, this furry animal quickly won the hearts of people, and they began to be kept as a pet all over the world. Guinea pigs were the 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 pig", although they themselves are very bad at water!

But why pigs? The reason for this name was the habits of this rodent. When he is full and satisfied, he grunts softly. But it is worth frightening him, as the rodent emits a wild piercing screech, which is very reminiscent of the squeal of small pigs. That is why the guinea pig has become a "pig". If you look very closely at the structure of the body of a guinea pig, you can easily see the external similarities between a rodent and a mammal of the same name. Like a pig, a guinea pig has short legs, a rather massive head on a short neck and a thick body.

There are a huge variety of different types of guinea pigs, most of which are artificially bred. In nature, guinea pigs have short hair, while for domestic use species with very long hair have been bred. They are all very friendly and funny.

Looking at the guinea pig, it's hard not to smile. The nimble fidget moves funny, makes funny sounds and looks very cute. In addition, he has a accommodating good-natured character, which makes this creature an almost ideal pet. But why in its name there is the word "marine" - it is not clear. And in general, the name of the animal is a complete misunderstanding.

Babies - old-timers (guinea pigs and antiquity)

Fluffy animals were tamed by the Incas in antiquity. Some South American peoples even worshiped them, used them in ritual sacrifices. Others were bred exclusively for food. In the Peruvian version of The Last Supper, a dish of roast pig is placed in the center of the table.

In the 16th century, the Spanish colonialists saw a furry baby in the market, and then tried his meat in a local tavern. The taste was reminiscent of suckling pig or chicken. In addition, local chefs scalded the carcass before removing the skin, as in the processing of pork.

Today, in the shacks of the descendants of the Incas, it is easy to meet an animal in a cage, unaware of the imminent fate of ending up on the table in a fried form. And according to popular beliefs, the local people believe that stove smoke is useful for them. Therefore, they are kept in the kitchens near the hearth. In restaurants, dishes from them are served whole with greens and spicy sauces. Meat is considered dietary.

Around 1580, the Spaniards first brought the baby to Europe. Unpretentious disposition and simplicity in everyday life helped to overcome a huge distance. Unusual appearance, gullibility and unpretentiousness won the heart of a civilized person. And he settled in houses exclusively for decorative purposes.

Name Origin: Guinea pig

And since the route ran through the seas, they called it "overseas". Over time, the prefix "for" was lost. But the name has survived. By the way, pigs are called in this way in Germany, Poland and Russia. In England, it is called Indian pig, in other countries - Guinea, in South America - gui. At home, she was considered a small rabbit.

Today, these outlandish animals are common in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia in natural conditions. They prefer abandoned burrows as a dwelling. On occasion, they are able to dig on their own. The sociable nature sometimes makes them gather in families of 5-8 individuals. And pigs do not know how to swim at all and do not like water.

Communication guinea pig with rodents and pigs

The guinea pig is an absolute rodent. She does not belong to the category of artiodactyls at all. 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 unexpressed neck, a large head - that's all that resembles the appearance of a piglet in it.

Rodents are kept in spacious cages away from drafts. To prevent the pet from getting sick, a special diet and daily routine is recommended. They are fed with special hay, compound feed, which are sold in pet stores, as well as grass. Surprisingly, they should not be forbidden to eat their own droppings. It turns out that the vitamins K and B contained in it are absorbed only in this way.

Due to long sitting still, diseases of the limbs and claws can develop. Therefore, a couple of hours a day, you should allow your pet to run around the apartment. On warm days, sunbathing in the open air will not interfere. Frequent communication will even teach some tricks. And care and love can extend the life of a guinea pig from 8 to 15 years. Through the efforts of breeders, more than 20 original breeds have been bred.

Breeders have bred about 80 breeds and varieties of guinea pigs, differing in size, texture of the cover, color. But people don't know much about them. We will try to fill this gap with interesting material.

Origin

Guinea pigs (or Guinea pigs) are classified as rodents of the genus of pigs from the family of pigs. Nevertheless, the animal in no way intersects with the breed of pigs, and also does not correlate with the inhabitants of the deep sea. Their relatives are rabbit, squirrel, beaver, capybara.

In addition, it is unlikely that they are connected in any way with Guinea. These good-natured animals received such a “cunning” name historically in connection with their appearance, taking into account physiological and behavioral characteristics, as well as based on their habitats and distribution patterns. On this occasion, there are a number of versions, but it is quite difficult to give preference to any of them.

Keivy (another name for guinea pigs) are very ancient animals. They were tamed by the Incas in the 13th-15th centuries, using them as a source of valuable, dietary meat and for decorative purposes. According to the researcher Neringa, the mummies of the animals were found in Peru at the Ancona cemetery. According to one of the most reliable versions, their alleged wild ancestors still live in Peru.

Now the enterprises of Peru contain up to 70 million domesticated animals. Every year they produce about 17,000 tons of valuable meat. The inhabitants of the Andes have been supplying the meat of these animals for centuries, which has a whole range of dietary and taste properties.

Wild animals stay in small colonies on flat, shrubby terrain. A burrowing animal, it equips its dwelling in underground dwellings with many passages and transitions.

The animal cannot actively defend itself, and therefore is forced to live in groups. And the team, as you know, is difficult to take by surprise. Watchdog functions are explicit and executed in order of precedence, even in pairs. They breed intensively at different times of the year, which is due to the need to protect the species.

In addition, pigs have extremely sensitive hearing and an unusually developed sense of smell. When danger arises, the animals quickly hide in minks, where the aggressor cannot reach them. Pigs are unusually clean - they often "wash" themselves and tirelessly "wash" their children. Therefore, it is not easy for predators to find the animal by smell - its fur coat exudes only the finest smells of hay.

These fluffy animals became known to the inhabitants of Europe in the 16th century after the conquest of a number of American regions by the Spanish conquistadors. Later, by water, they ended up in Europe, where they spread as pets.

The average weight of a mature pig is 1-1.5 kg, length - 25-35 cm. Some representatives reach a weight of 2 kg. They live 8-10 years.

In domestic pigs, the color is usually brown-gray, the tummy is light. Wild pigs are usually gray in color. There are several groups of breeds of domestic animals (with different colors):

1. with short hair (selfies, cresteds and others);
2. with long hair (texels, Peruvian, Merino, Angora);
3. with hard hair (teddy, rex);
4. without wool or with a small amount of it (baldwin and skinny).

Domestic animals are more rounded and full. These trusting and good-natured animals love to be picked up, and at the same time they begin to purr comfortably.

At night, they can barely audibly chirp like birds. Mating songs are performed by males in the style of rumbling in various tones. Due to the high susceptibility to pathogens of a number of infections, animals are widely used for laboratory experiments. This quality led to their use in the diagnosis of various diseases - diphtheria, tuberculosis and others.

In the research of well-known Russian and foreign scientists-bacteriologists (I. I. Mechnikov, N. F. Gamalei, R. Kokh), Caveys occupy a leading place among experimental animals.

The history of the name

Consider why this funny animal was so strangely named. There are several hypotheses for the origin of the name, respectively, they are distinguished by a number of direct signs according to two main factors:

1. appearance;
2. behavior and sounds.

For the first time, Pedro Cies de Leon writes about the animal in his scientific treatises (“Chronicles of Peru”) in 1554, calling it “cuy” (Spanish: Cuy). Later in the books of Diego G. Holguin (1608) there are "Ccoui", "Ccuy", which literally means "local small rabbit". At the same time, “ccuy” is also translated as “gift”. On the American continent, various representatives of this family have retained this name to our time.

Considering that dietary animal meat was eaten with pleasure, the animal was revered, and figurines and other decorative items with its image still exist, then the word “gift” in its semantic content is quite consistent with the object.

The name "guinea pig" appeared from the moment the animals appeared in Europe, where they were brought by Spanish sailors. Therefore, with a high degree of probability it can be argued that the animals received their European name in Spain. Thus, with the light hand of the Spanish sailors, the “gift rabbit” turned into a pig. And since this very “gift” was overseas, upon arrival in Europe, the animal also became a “marine”, although it never learned to swim.

Giving such a name and being observant people, the authors quite reasonably proceeded from several specific features of the animal, characteristic of its appearance, as well as physiological and behavioral characteristics.

Caveys are characterized by: elongated body, rough coat, shortened neck, small legs. There are 4 fingers on the forelimbs, and 3 fingers on the hind limbs, equipped with large, hoof-like claws. The tail is missing. The voice of the animal is similar to the gurgling of water, and when frightened, it turns into a screech. The sound outpourings produced by the animals clearly resemble the grunting of pigs.

In addition, the blunt-shaped muzzle is very similar to a pig snout.

Cavies are constantly chewed and may well be kept in the small pens used on hog transport ships. It is for these reasons that the "pig" analogy is quite appropriate here.

It is likely that the way the natives prepared pigs for food also played a role here. Previously, the carcasses were scalded with boiling water to remove wool, similar to removing bristles from pigs.

And also the carcasses of the animal put up for sale in Peru outwardly very much resemble the carcasses of milk pigs.

Indirect versions

Existing indirect signs, which for the most part confirm the previously given hypotheses for the appearance of the name "guinea pig". However, there are also contradictions.

So, the English name containing the word "Guinean" is also explained in different ways. One of the versions is based on the fact that the trade turnover with Guinea by the time the animals appeared in Europe was the most intense, which is why it was often confused with other territories. Another version defends the view that initially the kewi were not domesticated, but were used only as a food product. It is possible that the emergence of the idiom guinea pig - “a pig for a guinea” (until 1816, a guinea is a coin named after the state of Guinea, where the British mined gold) correlates with this.

Another assumption - in England of that time, "guinea" in its common interpretation corresponded to everything brought from distant overseas lands. There is also an assumption that the Keiwi really traded for 1 guinea. It is possible that the letters in the names Guiana (Guiana) and Guinea (Guinea) were simply confused.

The scientific Latin term used, Cavia porcellus, contains porcellus - "little pig", but the word cavia originates from cabiai (the name of an animal in the Galibi tribe living in French Guiana). From here, specialists use the name Cavy (Keyvi), while the term "Guinea pig" is used more widely.

We have the term came from Poland (swinka morska), and in Poland - from Germany.

Name of guinea pigs in different countries

In most cases, the definitions of animals contain or imply the word "pig". So the French have an Indian pig, the Dutch have a Guinea pig, the Portuguese have a small Indian pig, the Chinese have a Dutch pig. The list goes on.

However, there are parallels with other animals. In Japanese - モルモット (morumotto - marmot); in Spanish, conejillo de Indias (little Indian rabbit); in one of the German dialects - merswin (dolphin). Such sharp differences are most often explained by linguistic features of the language and coincidences in pronunciation.

Summarizing, we note that in different languages ​​the animal is called differently:

1. in German - guinea pig;
2. in English - guinea pig, domestic caywi, restless (mobile) caywi;
3. in Spanish - Indian pig;
4. in French - Indian pig;
5. in Ukrainian - guinea pig, guinea pig;
6. in Italian - Indian pig;
7. in Portuguese - Indian pig;
8. in Dutch - Indian pig.

It is clear that a certain variety of names reflects the history and source of animals entering a particular country. An important factor in this context is the linguistic features of a particular country. Nevertheless, the presence of an overwhelming "pig" analogy in the name of this creature speaks in favor of the main version. Moreover, the “mumps” does not cut the ear so much as its basic source of origin.

Be that as it may, but the guinea pig is a sweet, good-natured and funny animal that remains a real gift for animal lovers and especially for children.

For why the guinea pig is called that, see the next video.

Like many other animals, the guinea pig is called differently in different countries. So, in England, this rodent is called Indian little pig - "small Indian pig", restless cavy - "mobile pig", guinea pig - "Guinea pig" and domestic cavy - "domestic pig". And in the dialect of the indigenous inhabitants of South America, the guinea pig is called "cavy".

As for the origin of the English name guinea pig, it is most likely due to the way the Europeans learned about the existence of this rodent. It is probable that the British had more commercial relations with the coasts of Guinea than with South America, and were therefore accustomed to looking upon Guinea as part of India. Although there is another opinion: it is assumed that in Europe, as well as in their homeland, the guinea pig was originally used as food and sold in the markets.

This explains the origin of the English name for the pig - guinea pig, i.e. "pig for a guinea" (the guinea was the main English gold coin until 1816, it was named after the country of Guinea, where the gold necessary for its minting was mined). Some researchers attribute the origin of the name guinea pig to the fact that the word Guinea was used instead of the similar Guiana, since wild guinea pigs were exported from Guiana to Europe.

The inhabitants of the Andes still breed guinea pigs on special farms and eat their meat for food.

Spaniards living in America call this rodent a little rabbit, while other colonists continue to call it a little pig, that is, they use the name that was brought to Europe along with the animal. By the way, a guinea pig is called a small rabbit because before the appearance of Europeans in America, this rodent served as food for the native Indians and all Spanish writers of that time mention it as a rabbit.

More than 67 million domestic guinea pigs live on animal farms in Peru. They provide more than 17,000 tons of nutritious meat per year. The Indians of the high Andes have been suppliers of guinea pig meat for centuries. It is highly valued in many countries and has a number of dietary and gastronomic qualities.

In France, the guinea pig is called cochon d'Inde - "Indian pig", and in Spain - Cochinillo das India - "Indian pig". The Italians and Portuguese also call this rodent the Indian pig - porcella da India and Porguinho da India - however, like the Dutch, in whose language the animal is called Indiaamsoh varken. In Belgium, the guinea pig is called cochon des montagnes - "mountain pig", and in Germany - Meerschweinchen, i.e. "guinea pig".

Given all of the above, we can assume that the guinea pig spread in Europe from west to east, and the name that exists in Russia and Germany - "guinea pig" - most likely indicates that the pigs were brought from across the sea (apparently , at first they were called overseas, and then marine).

The guinea pig is a cute pet that becomes a family favorite. Despite the fact that we call these animals "pigs", they have nothing in common with ordinary pigs. Researchers believe that pigs of these animals, which belong to rodents, began to be called because of the sounds that a contented animal makes. A quiet gurgle is a bit like the grunt of a piglet. But the frightened animal begins to squeak.

The second version lies in the structure of these animals. No, of course, they do not look like piglets, but the structure of the skull is as elongated as that of pigs, and the head, compared to the body, is quite large.

Why guinea pigs?

It sounds interesting to explain why guinea pigs are called "sea pigs", because in fact this animal cannot swim, and if released into an aquarium, it will drown. Most likely, the word "marine" is a transformed "overseas", because the birthplace of these rodents is South America, and Columbus brought them to Europe in 1580.

By the way, "guinea pig" - this is the name of this animal in our country and in some other countries. But, for example, in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy it is called "Indian pig", because Columbus was sure that he sailed to India. In England, in addition to the “Indian little pig”, the rodent is also called the “restless pig” or “Guinea pig”, because the British often sailed to the Guinean Islands than to South America, where this animal is also found. But in Belgium, the guinea pig has become a "mountain pig".