The cavy family (Caviidae) is a family of rodents native to South America, and including the domestic guinea pig, wild cavies, and the capybara, among other animals. They are found across the continent, in open areas from moist savanna to thorn forests or scrub desert. This remarkable rodent family has fewer members than most other rodent families with 18 species in 6 genera.
With the exception of the maras, which have a more rabbit-like appearance, caviids have short, heavy bodies, and large heads. Most have no visible tails. They range in size from the smaller cavies at 22 cm in body le
ngth, and 300 grams in weight, up to
the capybara, the largest of all rodents at 106 to 134 cm in length, and with a body weight of 35 to 66 kilograms. Even larger forms existed in the Pliocene, such as Phugatherium, which was about the size of a tapir.[1]
They are herbivores, eating tough grasses or softer leaves, depending on species. The dental formula is similar to that of various other rodents: . Females give birth to two or three furred and active young after a gestation period of 50 to 90 days in most species, or 150 days in the capybara. In most species, they are sexually mature within a few months of birth, although in capybaras, maturity is not reached until around 18 months.[2]
Social organization varies widely among the group. Many cavies are promiscuous, forming no long-lasting social groups, although, in some species, males maintain harems of two or more females. In contrast, maras are monogamous, and form temporary colonial creches to care for the young of multiple mothers. Capybaras live in groups of around ten individuals, and sometimes many more, each with a single dominant male, and a number of females, subordinate males, and juveniles.[2]
Genus Cavia, this genus is especially called cavy.
Genus Galea
Genus Microcavia: Desert cavies
Subfamily Dolichotinae
Genus Dolichotis: Patagonian hares, or maras
Subfamily
Hydrochoerinae
Genus Hydrochoerus: Capybara
Genus Kerodon: Rock cavy
v class="thumbcaption">Guinea pig and capybara skull
With the exception of the maras, which have a more rabbit-like appearance, caviids have short, heavy bodies, and large heads. Most have no visible tails. They range in size from the smaller cavies at 22 cm in body length, and 300 grams in weight, up to the capybara, the largest of all rodents at 106 to 134 cm in length, and with a body weight of 35 to 66 kilograms. Even larger forms existed in the Pliocene, such as Phugatherium, which was about the size of a tapir.[1]
They are herbivores, eating tough grasses or softer leaves, depending on species. The dental formula is similar to that of various other rodents: . Females give birth to two or three furred and active young after a gestation period of 50 to 90 days in most species, or 150 days in the capybara. In most species, they are sexually mature within a few months of birth, although in capybaras, maturity is not reached until around 18 months.[2]
Social organization varies widely among the group. Many cavies are promiscuous, forming no long-lasting social groups, although, in some species, males maintain harems of two or more females. In contrast, maras are monogamous, and form temporary colonial creches to care for the young of multiple mothers. Capybaras live in groups of around ten individuals, and sometimes many more, each with a single dominant male, and a number of females, subordinate males, and juveniles.[2]
^ Savage, RJG, & Long, MR (1986). Mammal Evolution: an illustrated guide. New York: Facts on File. pp. 125?126. ISBN 0-8160-1194-X.
^ ab Herrera, E., Lacher, T.E., Macdonald, D., & Taber, A.B. (1984). Macdonald, D.. ed. The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York: Facts on File. pp. 690?699. ISBN 0-87196-871-1.
The maras (Dolichotis) are a of the cavy family. They are the sole representatives of the subfamily Dolichotinae. These large relatives of guinea pigs are common in the Patagonian steppes of Argentina but live in other areas of South America as well such as Paraguay. Maras are the fourth largest rodent in the world, after capybaras, beavers, and porcupines, reaching about 45 cm (18 in) in height. [more]
^ Savage, RJG, & Long, MR (1986). Mammal Evolution: an illustrated guide. New York: Facts on File. pp. 125?126. ISBN 0-8160-1194-X.
^ ab Herrera, E., Lacher, T.E., Macdonald, D., & Taber, A.B. (1984). Macdonald, D.. ed. The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York: Facts on File. pp. 690?699. ISBN 0-87196-871-1.
. Females give birth to two or three furred and active young after a gestation period of 50 to 90 days in most species, or 150 days in the capybara. In most species, they are sexually mature within a few months of birth, although in capybaras, maturity is not reached until around 18 months.[2]