CAVES: ISL 
partly of a series of short springs; while the peculiar manner in which the body is 
elongated when creeping is familiar to all. Their food consists of roots, corn, and 
various vegetables; and it is essential to the well-being of these animals that the 
place where they are kept should be dry and warm. If supplied with abundance 
of fresh vegetables, guinea-pigs do not require water; and when they do drink 
they take but little, and this with a lapping action. When pleased, guinea-pigs 
utter a soft murmuring cry; when alarmed, this changes to a squeak; while a 
series of short grunts (from which they probably derive their name) appear to be 
their mode of expressing their wants and desires. The two sexes live in company, 
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THE GUINEA-PIG (} nat. size). 
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 remark- 
able, 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 many as six or seven. The young are brought forth in a highly advanced 
state of development, with their eyes fully opened, and, curiously enough, their milk- 
teeth already shed. Ina few hours they are able to run by the side of the mother ; 
while 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 by them- 
