The closest animal to a guinea pig is another cavy, especially wild guinea pig relatives from the genus Cavia.
Domestic guinea pigs are not closely related to hamsters, rabbits, or rats, even though people often compare them. They belong to the cavy family, a group of South American rodents that includes wild cavies, maras, and capybaras.
The most direct relatives of pet guinea pigs are wild cavies, such as the Brazilian guinea pig. These animals look similar to domestic guinea pigs but are usually slimmer, faster, and more alert. They live in grasslands and open areas of South America, where they hide in vegetation and move in small groups.
Capybaras are also relatives of guinea pigs, but they are not the closest match. They belong to the same broader family group and share some traits, such as grazing, social behavior, and a love of staying near safe cover. The big difference is size. A capybara is the world’s largest rodent, while a guinea pig is small enough to fit in a child’s lap.
Learn also: Which gender of guinea pig is more cuddly?
