1354 



THE RODENTS 



their mode of expressing their wants and desires. The two sexes live in company, 

 but each male selects a partner from the herd, and during such selection conflicts 

 not unfrequently take place between rival males. 



Few animals exceed the guinea pig in fertility, and this is the more remarkable, 

 since, as we have seen, the wild cavies increase but slowly. In Europe the female 

 will produce from two to three litters in a year, each of which will contain from two 

 to five young; while in warmer regions the number produced at a birth may be as 

 man}- as six or seven. The } r oung are brought forth in a highly advanced state of 

 development, with their eyes fully opened, and, curiously enough, their milk-teeth 

 already shed. In a few hours they are able to run by the side of the mother; while 



THE GUINEA PIG. 



(One-half natural size.) 



by the second day they are able to nibble not only soft plants, but even corn. They 

 are suckled for a fortnight, during which period they are carefully tended by the 

 dam; but after this the parental affection rapidly wanes, and in three weeks (by 

 which time the parents have again paired) the young are left to shift for them- 

 selves. In from five to six months the young guinea pig is able to reproduce its 

 kind, although it does not attain full maturity till eight or nine months. With care, 

 these animals will live for six or eight years. Although guinea pigs seem too 

 stupid to display the slightest affection for their owners, they have the great advan- 

 tage of never making any attempts to bite, and may therefore be handled by chil- 

 dren with impunity. 



