Guinea pig Agouti

At the moment in Russia, unfortunately, there are very few purebred high-quality representatives of the breed – namely, the breed, and not the color! – agouti. For our country, this breed is still quite rare.

Indeed, the agouti pig is a whole world. It is agouti pigs that are the ancestors of all modern breeds of guinea pigs, because it is in this form that they appeared many, many centuries ago on the shores of the Amazon, and they still remain in nature to this day. Wild guinea pigs that live in South America have a lot in common with representatives of the agouti breed.

In some countries, the agouti breed has not yet received official recognition.

Agoutis are often confused with regular smooth-coated guinea pigs.

The agouti guinea pig is an amazingly beautiful guinea pig, which is loved all over the world for its beautiful smooth coat of amazing color, good-natured character and high intellectual abilities.

The most important feature of these pigs is an unusual coat color, the so-called ticking, when each hair is colored in a special way: closer to the skin, the hair has the main color, brightens in the central part, and darkens again at the tip. This is the most common option. In general, there are three types of ticking:

• dark – basic – again dark colors;
• dark and main colors:
• dark color without light part.

The color of the coat on the belly corresponds to the color of one part of the hairs of the integument and contrasts with the general tone of the mumps, specks are excluded. Agouti pigs have dark eyes. Large delicate ears that hang down and are shaped like petals.

As a rule, these pigs are distinguished by a strong and strong physique. They have strong, short legs.

Agoutis are very easy to care for guinea pigs, so they are often recommended as the first guinea pig for both adults and children. The coat of the agouti does not require as much care as the coat of long-haired guinea pigs.

All that is needed for optimal agouti maintenance is a spacious cage and a proper diet. You can read about how to choose a cage for your pet in the article “Cage for a guinea pig”

As far as diet is concerned, like other guinea pigs, agoutis can only be fed a vegetarian selection of foods – vegetables, fruits, plus fresh grass and/or hay and special pellets (dry food) that can be found at the pet store.

Regularly, at least once every couple of days, the pigs need to be let out of the cage to run: in the summer – it would be nice to have grass, in the winter – around the room. Bathing the agouti is not recommended. These pigs are very clean, and always independently monitor the cleanliness of their coats.

Read more about the intricacies of caring for guinea pigs in the section “Keeping guinea pigs”

There are six types of agouti colors:

• lemon agouti (Lemon Agouti): the main color is a rich black with lemon ticking. The color of the belly should be an even lemon color. Lemon agoutis have dark eyes, black ears and paw pads.
• silver agouti (Silver Agouti): the main color is rich black with silver ticking. The color of the belly should be an even silver color. There is no whiteness. Silver agoutis have dark eyes, black ears and pads on their paws.
• golden agouti (Golden Agouti): the main color is a rich black with a golden tick. The belly should be golden or even red. He has dark eyes and has black ears and pads.
• chocolate agouti (Orange Agouti): the main color is a rich dark brown, chocolate with red ticking. The belly is bright red. The eyes are ruby ​​red, the ears and paw pads are chocolate brown.
• cream agouti (Cream Agouti): the main color is a rich dark brown with soft cream ticking. Amazingly beautiful combination! The belly is also cream in color, ruby ​​eyes, dark brown ears and paw pads.
• Cinnamon Agouti: The ground color is a rich cinnamon brown with silver ticking. Belly, respectively, a silvery hue. Ruby eyes, brown ears and paw pads.

According to numerous personal observations of the breeders of these pigs, agoutis are the only pigs at the moment about which it can be said for sure that the breed determines their character and behavior. They surprisingly combine all the affection for which we love them, and at the same time – all the savagery of their South American ancestors. It is the agouti pigs that are distinguished by their unbridled love of freedom and craving for wildlife. They can easily exist on free grazing – only in summer, of course! And if an agouti hides in the grass, you won’t find it at all. Unless she wants to.

But at the same time, like all animals, agouti pigs have a very well-developed sense of self-preservation and a sense of the state of the environment (human meteorological dependence). So in their endless exploration of the surrounding space, the agouti will never overplay, missing the danger.

Agoutis can sometimes be quite shy, especially when they are in unfamiliar surroundings or seeing new people. At first, try to spend as much time as possible with your new pet so that he gets used to you.

Like other guinea pigs, agoutis value company and dislike being alone. The best option for keeping any guinea pigs is same-sex couples.

The agouti guinea pig is very popular with breeders abroad.

These are typical indicative standards as stated by the national agouti club:

• The head should be short and broad with a “Roman” profile.
• The muzzle should be fairly broad, the nostrils neatly rounded.
• The eyes are large, bright, located on both sides of the head.
• The ears are large, hanging down like rose petals.
• The body should be short, muscular with broad shoulders.
• The ticking should be clear and even over the head, chest, legs and body. Its color should be well tolerated by the skin.
• The belly must be the same color as the ticking. The color of the belly should not be visible when looking at the guinea pig from the side.
• The coat should be soft and silky, clean and short.

In general, you can talk endlessly about these amazing animals! As well as about multiple color options, breeding features and much, much more.