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, reliable facts history did not bother to preserve. 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 (in other words, “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 is used 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 Lent, 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 circumvented the prohibitions on consumption during Lent. For example, cocoa, although it can hardly be considered a food that promotes abstinence.

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.

If you have ever kept a guinea pig, you have certainly asked the question: “Why is a guinea pig called that?” Moreover, you have seen that this animal cannot swim, has nothing to do with the sea, and cannot even swim properly. Very idle owners may say: “She’s a big seafood lover!” We can argue that some seafood in her modest diet is absent and even harmful.

Guinea pig: versions of the origin of the name Wild guinea pig

We think the answer is: “Why are guinea pigs called guinea pigs?” - you should look for the following. Firstly, the homeland of guinea pigs, which is known for certain, is South America. them in large quantities(for various reasons: maybe because of the value of fur) were brought to Europe and domesticated. They had to travel a long distance by sea in holds, hence the sea. The second version has the same right to exist: if you look closely at the animal, you will see many similarities with domestic animals. The same head, which grows disproportionately to the body, the same fur, reminiscent of pig bristles in miniature, the same claws on the paws, similar to small hooves, the absence of a tail. And to be absolutely precise, the guinea pig’s muzzle is exactly the same as a pig’s snout with a snout. “The copy is a domestic pig,” some will say. And they won't be wrong. The guinea pig, sensing odors from the kitchen, begins to show anxiety:

• slowly squeal
• whistle,
• even grunt, like real piglets do.

Curious origin of the name

And if you take a closer look at this cute animal, you can understand why it is very often a favorite in many families. This little mischievous fidget is everywhere: you can see him here and there. He moves funny and makes funny sounds when moving. He has a sociable character and can quickly make friends with his owners. In the wild, the guinea pig feels great:

• knows how to easily hide in wild dense thickets
• run so that its large brother with the “eponymous” name cannot keep up with it.

It’s worth dwelling on one more version. The fact is that back in the 16th century, in one of the markets of South America, the Spanish colonialists saw a small rodent that looked like a small pig. Moreover, they saw how local cooks scalded the skin of a rodent, this process was exactly similar to the process of processing pork. In one of the local establishments they ordered the meat of this animal, which resembled the meat of a suckling pig. It is no coincidence that guinea pig meat in the country of the Incas is considered a dietary and delicacy.

Pets

According to numerous versions, it was the Spaniards who brought pigs to Europe across the sea exclusively for decorative purposes; it was they who were for gullibility, for unusual look, for their unpretentiousness they were settled in many houses, making them the favorites of many people in our civilized world.

As can be seen from the above, every point of view has the right to exist. These cute and cute animals have an interesting name, which was not given to them by chance.

Breeders have bred about 80 breeds and varieties of guinea pigs, differing in size, coat texture, and color. But people know little about them. We will try to fill this gap with interesting material.

Origin

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

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

Cavies (another name for guinea pigs) are very ancient animals. The Incas tamed them in the 13th – 15th centuries, using them as a source of valuable dietary meat and for decorative purposes. According to researcher Nering, mummies of animals were discovered in Peru at the Ancona cemetery. According to one of the most reliable versions, their supposed wild ancestors still live in Peru.

Nowadays, Peruvian enterprises 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 live in small colonies on flat, bushy areas. The animal is a burrower and makes its home in underground dwellings with many passages and passages.

The animal cannot actively defend itself, and therefore is forced to live in groups. And as you know, it’s difficult to take a team by surprise. Watchdog functions are expressed explicitly and are performed in order of priority, even in pairs. They reproduce intensively at different times of the year, 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 holes, 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 coat exudes only the subtlest odors of hay.

These furry animals became known to European residents in the 16th century after the conquest of a number of American regions by Spanish conquistadors. Later, they ended up in Europe by water, 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.

Domestic pigs are usually brown-gray in color and have a light belly. 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 (Texel, Peruvian, Merino, Angora);
3. with hard hair (Teddy, Rex);
4. without wool or with a small amount of it (Baldwins and Skinnies).

Domestic animals are more rounded and plump. These trusting and good-natured animals love to be picked up and begin to purr comfortably.

At night they can chirp faintly, like birds. Mating songs are performed by males in the style of rumbling in various tones. Due to their 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 famous Russian and foreign bacteriologists (I. I. Mechnikov, N. F. Gamaley, R. Koch), caves occupy a leading place among experimental animals.

History of the name Let's look at why this funny animal had such a strange name. Several hypotheses for the origin of the name are known; accordingly, they identify a number of direct signs according to

1. two main factors:
2. appearance;

behavior and sounds made. For the first time, Pedro Cies de Leon wrote 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), “Ccoui”, “Ccuy” are found, which literally means “the local little rabbit”. Moreover, “ccuy” is also translated as “gift”. On the American continent different representatives

This family has retained this name to this day.

If we take into account that the dietary meat of an animal was eaten with pleasure, the animal was revered, and figurines and other decorative items with its image still exist today, then the word “gift” in its semantic content fully corresponds to 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 light hand

Spanish sailors' "bunny gift" turned into a pig. And since this very “gift” was overseas, upon arrival in Europe the animal also became “sea,” 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. Cavies are characterized by: an elongated body, rough fur, a short neck, and small legs. There are 4 fingers on the forelimbs and 3 on the hind limbs, equipped with large, hoof-like claws. The tail is missing.

In addition, the blunt-shaped muzzle is very similar to a pig's nickel.

Cavies are constantly chewed and may well be kept in small pens used on pig carriers. 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. The carcasses were first scalded with boiling water to remove hair, similar to removing bristles from pigs.

And also the animal carcasses put up for sale in Peru look very much like the carcasses of suckling pigs.

Indirect versions

Existing indirect signs, which for the most part confirm the previously presented hypotheses about the appearance of the name “guinea pig”. However, there are also contradictions.

Thus, the English name containing the word “Guinean” is also explained in different ways. One of the versions is based on the fact that trade turnover with Guinea at 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 opinion that caves were not originally domesticated, but were consumed only as a food product. It is possible that this is precisely what correlates with the emergence of the idiom guinea pig - “pig for a guinea” (until 1816, the guinea was a coin named after the state of Guinea, where the British mined gold).

Another assumption is that in England at that time, “guinea” in its common noun interpretation corresponded to everything brought from distant overseas lands. There is also an assumption that caves were actually 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 the animal in the Galibi tribe living in French Guiana). Hence, experts use the name Cavy, while the term “Guinea pig” is used more widely.

In our country, the term came from Poland (swinka morska), and in Poland – from Germany.

Names of guinea pigs in different countries

In most cases, 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 similarities in pronunciation.

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

1. in German - guinea pig;
2. in English - Guinea pig, domestic cavey, restless (active) cavey;
3. in Spanish - Indian pig;
4. in French - Indian pig;
5. in Ukrainian - guinea pig, cavya guinea;
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 entry of animals into a particular country. An important factor in this context are language features specific country. Nevertheless, the presence of an overwhelming “pig” analogy in the name of this creature speaks in favor of the main version. Moreover, “mumps” does not hurt the ear as much as its basic source of origin.

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

To find out why the guinea pig is called that, watch the following video.

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 in large numbers for thousands of years not 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 gift newlyweds at the wedding.

Like many other animals, the guinea pig has different names in different countries. So, in England this rodent is called Indian little pig, restless cavy, guinea pig and domestic cavy. And in the dialect of the indigenous people of South America, a guinea pig is called “cavy”.

As for the origin English name guinea pig, then it is most likely explained by the way in which Europeans learned about the existence of this rodent. The British probably had more trade relations with the shores of Guinea than with South America, and therefore are accustomed to looking at Guinea as part of India. Although there is another opinion: it is assumed that in Europe, as in its homeland, the guinea pig was originally used as food and sold in markets.

This explains the origin of the English name for pig - guinea pig, i.e. “pig for a guinea” (guinea is the main English gold coin until 1816, it received its name from 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.

Residents of the Andes still breed guinea pigs on special farms and eat their meat.

The 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, the guinea pig is called a small rabbit because before Europeans arrived in America, this rodent served as food for the indigenous Indians and all Spanish writers of that time referred to it as a rabbit.

There are more than 67 million domestic guinea pigs living on livestock farms in Peru. They produce 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 - as do the Dutch, in whose language the animal is called Indiaamsoh varken. In Belgium, a guinea pig is called cochon des montagnes - “mountain pig”, and in Germany - Meerschweinchen, i.e. “guinea pig”.

Considering all of the above, we can make the assumption 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 overseas (apparently , at first they were called overseas, and then sea).