Members of the Cavy Family

Domestic guinea pigs are incredibly fascinating creatures but we usually don't think of them in terms of the larger picture. Where do these little animals come from? Who are their relatives in the animal kingdom? I did a little bit of research today and found some pictures of guinea pigs in the wild and some of their animal cousins. Guinea pigs belong to the family caviidae and so do all the other animals pictured here.

This is the wild form of the guinea pig. Familiar isn't it?

This is the rock cavy.

This is the Mara.

This is a capybara, my favorite. These are the biggest rodents in the world.

Aren't they the coolest things ever!? Look at their facial expressions!