Data sheet teddy guinea pig
Latin name:
Cavia porcellus
Origin:
United States (California)
Size:
22 to 30 cm
age expectation:
6 to 8 years
behavior/stocking
Groups vs. individual housing:
Group of 2 animals or more
Lining:
Herbivore, hay, forage (dandelion, grass, plantain, buckhorn, goutweed), fruit (apples, pears, bananas), vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, beetroot, endive)
Difficulty level:
simply
Rex tremendae majestatis, Cavia porcellus on bed, CC BY-SA 4.0
General introduction
All of today’s guinea pig breeds originated from the first animals that the Spanish conquerors brought to Europe from South America.
In the 60s of the last century were born in California with longer, denser, curly coats. They were created by crossing rosette and smooth-haired guinea pigs.
Because these new meeries extra plush and cute looked, the demand was great. A new breed arose In 1978 it was recognized in the USA.
The animals were given the name teddy guinea pigs because their fur is reminiscent of plush teddies. There are two variants that US teddies and the CH teddies. Both differ mainly in the length of the fur.
Look
Teddys are often found in the colors Tortoiseshell without white, tortoiseshell with white, white, brown, beige, black, tricolor or various wild colors.
The little animals are stronger and more sturdily built than other Meerie breeds. Her head is broad, with a breed-typical upturned nose. This makes them appear shorter compared to other breeds. The relatively large ears are beautifully shaped and hang down slightly. Big round beady eyes look friendly at the world.
The fur of US teddies are 3 to 3.5 cm long, CH teddies up to 6 cm long Length. It is fluffy and protrudes vertically from the body. With the CH teddies, the ends of the hair hang down slightly. This makes them look even more cuddly.
Due to the protruding fur, the animals appear larger than they are. The head of hair is slightly harsh to the touch. The fur on the body is wavy, on the stomach the hair is particularly long, softer and smooth.
Teddy bears must not have rosettes (whorls) in their fur. This is what the breed standard requires. A small whorl on the head is usually overlooked. It provides a crown or a small crest pointing forward. It is often this flaw in the fur that gives the animals their special expression. That’s probably why it’s tolerated.
Teddys always have smooth whiskers. These whiskers are a sure differentiator to Rex guinea pigs. The breed is often confused with them. Rexes generally have curly whiskers, slightly longer, wiry and curly coats.
Both breeds are genetically separated from each other. Crossing teddies with rexen always results in smooth-haired animals.
acquisition and maintenance
teddies are adaptable, easy-to-keep housemates. They adapt to the daily routine of their human family. After just a few days, they figured out when to feed and when to play.
The little furballs need conspecifics around them. They are extremely sociable and eager to communicate with each other. Communication only works if both partners speak the same language. To do this, they must belong to the same species. Meeries like to be socialized with rabbits, because both animal species have similar requirements in terms of keeping and care. Despite it a rabbit does not replace a conspecific.
The main argument is the Meeries’ willingness to reproduce. The fear of unwanted offspring is unfounded. The rodents can be kept in female-only groups. If one or more males are present, they can be castrated.
Several unneutered males should not be kept together. They could see each other as rivals, which would result in constant biting.
cage and equipment
The cage should be sized so that for each animal at least 0.5 m² be available. Multi-storey enclosures are often offered. This saves space in the apartment and accommodates the animals’ climbing instincts. They move safely through all rooms via suitable branches, slides, ladders, stairs or tubes.
Belong to the interior Caves, igloos, cottages and other hiding places. Every piggy must be able to withdraw if necessary. A large community accommodation and several small hiding places has proven itself.
The trade offers different models. With a little skill, the owner can make his own housing for his little pigs. He can adapt the size and shape to his little animals and the circumstances in his apartment.
The fur balls need to keep them busy Branches, roots, rocks to climb and explore. Additionally worry Tunnels, tubes, cuddly rolls and other toys for employment. The little rodents like to lie down in it to snooze hammocks.
In order to grind down their constantly growing teeth, the little guys need material that they can gnaw on. are suitable for this Twigs from fruit tree cuttings, willow, beech, poplar, birch or hazelnut. If the teeth become too long, the animals can no longer eat properly or at all and starve.
Of course it has to a hay rack, one or more food bowls, and a water bowl be in the cage. If there are several animals, it makes sense to set up several feeding stations. There is a hierarchy in the group. The higher-ranking teddies would crowd out the lower-ranking animals. If sufficiently filled bowls are available, everyone will find a place where they can eat in peace.
If the cage is not on the ground, a stairway should be installed. Then the meeries can leave and come back without being picked up.
The enclosure is allowed not in the blazing sun or right next to the heater stand. It’s too warm for the guys there.
requirement for posture
It is important for the well-being that the piglets are kept in a species-appropriate manner.
Species-appropriate attitude
In any case, teddy bears should be kept in pairs or in groups. It’s just as important to her daily free run in the flat. They enjoy the variety and contact with their people.
free range
Teddys can be kept outside all year round. Their thick fur protects them from the cold. Outside they need one dry, warm shelter, more hiding places and shady places for the summer. If there is no natural shade, an awning or parasol will help. Climbing opportunities, toys and hammocks are also welcome furnishings here.
The free range offers the little animals an almost natural habitat and strengthens your immune system. Possibly found for the summer a corner in the garden or on the balcony for the meeries. In spring they are only allowed outside when the nights are no longer cold (from mid-May). After all, they come from the warm apartment and are not used to the cold.
The outdoor run must be built in such a way that predators such as cats, foxes or birds of prey cannot harm the small rodents.
grooming
The pigs take care of their fur themselves. If it should be very dirty, you have to use a soft brush to help.
Breeding & Rearing
Initially, teddy bears were difficult to breed. This particular teddy fur is inherited through a recessive gene. This means both parents must have it for their offspring to be teddy bears.
At the beginning of breeding, rosette and smooth-haired guinea pigs were crossed. It is not apparent from the animals whether they have the specific gene or not. If you were lucky, both parents had the gene and teddy babies were born. If only one of the two didn’t have it, there were no teddy offspring.
Teddies among each other always throw teddies. It took a long time until there were enough teddies that could be crossed with each other. The animals were not allowed to be too closely related to avoid damage caused by inbreeding.
The breeding line is now large enough that inbreeding is no longer an issue. A female brings after about 68 days gestation period 2 to 6 young to the world. The offspring already have fur, their eyes are open and they can walk right from the start.
The mother suckles the little ones for the first 3 weeks. Teddys are caring mothers and eagerly take care of their offspring. The little ones start nibbling on the hay or vegetables while they are still nursing.
gender differences
The Females are slightly smaller than their male counterparts.
feed and nutrition
eat teddy bears several small meals throughout the day. Hay and water should always be available. Because the breed is a bit stocky by nature, it’s hard to tell when they’ll become overweight.
acclimatization and handling
teddies are cosy, friendly and bright little animals. In a short time they get used to their new home and carer. Small treats help to overcome initial shyness.
In the first few hours after moving in, they want to be left alone. You will soon start exploring the area on your own. Have they gained confidence play a lot. they enjoy little tricks to learn or to master an obstacle course made of cardboard rolls, plastic bottles or cardboard boxes.
The little rodents are always good-natured. They easily get used to new group members or other animals in the household.
enjoy teddies cuddles. This trait is quite unusual for guinea pigs. They don’t want to be picked up.