Cavy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cavy |
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| Mara, genus Dolichotis | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Parvorder: | Caviomorpha |
| Family: | Caviidae Fischer von Waldheim, 1818 |
| Subfamilies | |
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Caviinae |
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Caviidae is a family of rodents that live in South America. This group includes some well-known animals like guinea pigs and capybaras. They are also known as cavies.
Contents
Meet the Caviidae Family
The Caviidae family is a group of mammals called rodents. They are found only in South America. This family includes a variety of animals, from small guinea pigs to the much larger capybaras.
Different Kinds of Caviidae
The Caviidae family has three main groups, or subfamilies:
- Caviinae: This group includes the familiar guinea pigs. They are small, social animals often kept as pets. Wild guinea pigs live in grasslands and forests.
- Dolichotinae: This group includes the maras, also known as Patagonian cavies. Maras look a bit like rabbits with long legs. They are very good at running and jumping.
- Hydrochoerinae: This group has only one living member, the capybara. Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world. They love water and are excellent swimmers.
Where Do Caviidae Live?
Caviidae animals live all over South America. You can find them in many different places. Some live in grasslands, like guinea pigs and maras. Others, like capybaras, prefer areas near water, such as rivers, lakes, and swamps. They are very good at adapting to their homes.
What Do Caviidae Eat?
All Caviidae are herbivores. This means they only eat plants. Their diet mostly includes grasses, leaves, and other plant material. Capybaras, for example, eat a lot of aquatic plants. Guinea pigs enjoy various vegetables and hay.
Ancient Caviidae
Scientists have found fossils of Caviidae that date back a long time. Their history goes back to the Middle Miocene epoch. This was millions of years ago! This shows that these animals have been a part of South American wildlife for a very long time. Studying their fossils helps us understand how they have changed over time.
Images for kids
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A guinea pig skull on top of a capybara skull. This shows the size difference.
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See also
In Spanish: Cávidos para niños
