Guinea Pig Quick Facts: 

Physiologic:

Life span:   4-8 yr (avg 5 yr in home)

Adult male body weight:   900-1200 g

Adult female body weight:   750-900 g

Rectal/body temperature:   37.2-39.5 C (101.5-103 F)

Body surface area cm2:    9.5 (body weight in g)2/3   (this is to the second and to the two-thirds)

Diploid number:   64

Food consumption:   6 g/100g/days

Water consumption:   10 ml/100g/day

GI transit time:   13-30 hours

Respiratory rate:   42-104/min

Tidal volume:   2.3-5.3 ml/kg

Heart rate:   230-380/min

Blood volume:   69-75 ml/kg (7ml/100g)

Blood pressure:   80-94/55-58 Hg

Dentition:   All teeth open-rooted ,1/1 incisors, 1/1 premolars,0/0 canines, 3/3 molars

Reproductive:

Male = boar,  Female = sow

Puberty (male):   9-10 wk

Puberty (female):   6 wk

Breeding onset (male):   600-700 g (3-4 months)

Breeding onset (female):   350-450 g (2-3 months)

Estrous (heat cycle):   15-17 days

Estrus (when accepts the male):   1-16 hr (avg 8 hr)

Gestation period:   59-72 days (larger litter, shorter duration)

Postpartum estrus:   Fertile, 60-80% pregnancy

Litter size:   1-6 (avg 3-4)

Birth weight:   60-110 g

Young development:   Precocial

Lactation:   Peaks by day 5-8 after parturition(agalactic by 23 days)

Weaning age:   150-200 g. 14-21 days

Breeding duration (commercial):   1.5-4 yr (4-5 litters)

Young production (index per female):   0.7-1.4/mo

Milk composition:   4% fat, 8% protein, 3% lactose, 83% water,16% solids