This week our dermestid colony is cleaning three baby guinea pigs, also known as cavies (Cavia porcellus). Guinea pigs are members of the order Rodentia and their ancestors originate high in the Andes mountains of South America, with the fossil record dating back to 9,000 B.C. Current domesticated descendants, however, are commonly sold as pets in the United States and are no longer found naturally existing in nature (ADW).

Our guinea pigs died of natural causes in captivity and were recovered by Jennifer Hubbard for our osteological use. For more photos and information on Cavia porcellus check out their page on the Animal Diversity Web here.