Guinea pigs are edible. Before they were kept as pets, guinea pigs were commonly eaten as food in South American countries. Their meat is delicious and highly nutritious. However, few people now regard guinea pigs as delicacies, and people prefer to keep them as pets.

Guinea pigs are nocturnal terrestrial animals in temperate zones and feed on leaves, roots and tubers, fruits, and flowers. It is social and can live in groups. The average captive lifespan is 8 years. Breedingly active guinea pigs usually have a shorter lifespan, around 3-5 years.

The living habits of guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs inhabit rocky slopes, grasslands, forest edges and swamps. They live in small groups of 5-10 animals, live in caves, and are active at night. They feed on plant foods. They have no special requirements on food. They are strong and not prone to illness. It mainly eats the green parts of plants, with weeds as its main food. Guinea pigs have a well-developed sense of smell and hearing, and are highly responsive to various stimuli, such as sound, smell, and sudden changes in temperature.