WikiFur - User contributions [en]

Hamster (species)

2023-11-07T18:31:22Z

2603:3005:2400:E500:8D2B:B9D3:1EC:B5A8:

{{context}}
[[File:Hamster.jpg|right|thumb|A hamster, especifically a dwarf hamster]]
'''Hamsters''' are [[rodent]]s (order ''Rodentia'') belonging to the subfamily '''''Cricetinae''''' of the family '''''Cricetidae'''''.

Hamsters are more crepuscular than nocturnal and, in the wild, remain underground during the day to avoid being caught by predators. They feed primarily on seeds, fruits, and vegetation, and will occasionally eat burrowing insects. Physically, they are stout-bodied with distinguishing features that include elongated cheek pouches extending to their shoulders, which they use to carry food back to their burrows, as well as a short tail and fur-covered feet.

== Etymology ==

The name "hamster" is a loanword from the German, which itself derives from earlier Middle High German hamastra. It is possibly related to Old Church Slavonic ''khomestoru'', which is either a blend of the root of Russian хомяк (khomyak) "hamster" and a Baltic word (cf. Lithuanian ''staras'' "hamster"); or of Persian origin (cf. Av ''hamaēstar'' "oppressor").[ The collective noun for a group of hamsters is "horde". In German, the verb "hamstern" is derived from "Hamster", which means "Hoarding".

== Overview ==

The hamster subfamily contains 19 [[species]] classified in seven [[W:genus|genera]]. The best-known species of hamster is the [[W:Golden hamster|golden or Syrian hamster]] (''Mesocricetus auratus''), which is the type most commonly kept as a [[pet]].

Other hamster species commonly kept as pets are the three species of '''dwarf hamster''', [[W:Campbell's dwarf hamster|Campbell's dwarf hamster]] (''Phodopus campbelli''), the [[W:winter white dwarf hamster|winter white dwarf hamster]] (''Phodopus sungorus'') and the [[W:Roborovski hamster|Roborovski hamster]] (''Phodopus roborovskii'').

The alternate spelling ''hampster'' has sometimes been used since the hampsterdance website became popular in 1999, which later resulted in the 2001 novelty hit ''[[The Hampster Dance]]'' by Hampton the Hampster.

==See also==

* [[W:hamster|Hamster]] on[[ Wikipedia]]
* [[:Category:Hamster characters|Hamster characters]]

{{species-stub}}

[[Category:Rodent species]]
[[it:Criceto]]
[[ru:Хомяки]]

Guinea pig

2023-11-07T18:12:41Z

2603:3005:2400:E500:8D2B:B9D3:1EC:B5A8: /* See also */

The '''Guinea pig''' or '''domestic Guinea pig''' (''Cavia porcellus''), also known as the '''cavy''' or '''domestic cavy''', is a species of [[rodent]] belonging to the genus ''Cavia'' in the family Caviidae. Despite their common name, these animals are not [[pig]]s, nor do they come from Guinea, and the origin of the name is unclear. They originated in the Andes of South America. The Guinea pig plays an important role in the folk culture of many Indigenous South American groups, especially as a food source, but is also used in folk medicine and in community religious ceremonies. The meat of Guinea pigs is called ''cuy''.

In Western societies, the Guinea pig has enjoyed widespread popularity as a household [[pet]] since its introduction by European traders in the 16th century. Their docile nature, their responsiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them, continue to make the Guinea pig a popular pet. Organizations devoted to competitive breeding of guinea pigs have been formed worldwide, and many specialized breeds of guinea pig, with varying coat colors, textures, and compositions, are cultivated by breeders.

Biological experimentation on Guinea pigs has been carried out since the 17th century. The animals were frequently used as a model organism in the 19th and 20th centuries, giving way to the metaphor "guinea pig" for a test subject, but have since been largely replaced by other rodents such as [[mice]] and [[Rat (species)|rat]]s. They are still used in research, primarily as models for human medical conditions such as juvenile diabetes, tuberculosis, scurvy, and pregnancy complications.

== Guinea pigs in media ==

As a result of their widespread popularity in human domestic life, and especially because of their popularity in households with children, Guinea pigs have shown a presence in culture and media. Some noted appearances of the animal in literature are ''[[Wikipedia:The Fairy Caravan|The Fairy Caravan]]'', a novel by [[Wikipedia:Beatrix Potter|Beatrix Potter]], and Michael Bond's ''[[Wikipedia:Olga da Polga|Olga da Polga]]'' series for children, both of which feature Guinea pigs as the central protagonist. Another appearance is in ''[[Wikipedia:The Magician's Nephew|The Magician's Nephew]]'' by C. S. Lewis: in the first (chronologically) of his ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' series, a Guinea pig is the first creature to travel to the Wood between the Worlds. The short story ''Pigs is Pigs'' by Ellis Parker Butler is a tale of bureaucratic incompetence; two Guinea pigs held at a train station breed unchecked while humans argue as to whether they are "pigs" for the purpose of determining freight charges. In ''The Golden Hamster Saga'' books, there are two Guinea pigs named Enrico and Caruso who are modern-day thespians (named after Enrico Caruso) who serve as secondary characters, and often irritate the main character, Freddy Auratus who strongly dislikes their acting antics.
Guinea pigs have also been featured in film and television. In the TV movie ''Shredderman Rules'', the main character and the main character's crush both have Guinea pigs which both play a minor part in the plot. A Guinea pig named Rodney, voiced by Chris Rock, was a prominent character in the 1998 film ''[[Dr. Dolittle]]'' and Linny the Guinea pig is a co-star on Nick Jr's Wonder Pets. Guinea pigs were used in some major advertising campaigns in the 1990s and 2000s, notably for Egg Banking plc, Snapple, and Blockbuster Video.

== See also ==
*[[Wikipedia:Guinea pig|Guinea pig]] on [[Wikipedia]]
*[[:Category:Guinea Pig characters]]

{{Wikipedia|Guinea pig}}

{{species-stub}}

[[Category:Rodent species]]

[[ru:Морские свинки]]

Guinea pig

2023-11-07T18:11:11Z

2603:3005:2400:E500:8D2B:B9D3:1EC:B5A8:

The '''Guinea pig''' or '''domestic Guinea pig''' (''Cavia porcellus''), also known as the '''cavy''' or '''domestic cavy''', is a species of [[rodent]] belonging to the genus ''Cavia'' in the family Caviidae. Despite their common name, these animals are not [[pig]]s, nor do they come from Guinea, and the origin of the name is unclear. They originated in the Andes of South America. The Guinea pig plays an important role in the folk culture of many Indigenous South American groups, especially as a food source, but is also used in folk medicine and in community religious ceremonies. The meat of Guinea pigs is called ''cuy''.

In Western societies, the Guinea pig has enjoyed widespread popularity as a household [[pet]] since its introduction by European traders in the 16th century. Their docile nature, their responsiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them, continue to make the Guinea pig a popular pet. Organizations devoted to competitive breeding of guinea pigs have been formed worldwide, and many specialized breeds of guinea pig, with varying coat colors, textures, and compositions, are cultivated by breeders.

Biological experimentation on Guinea pigs has been carried out since the 17th century. The animals were frequently used as a model organism in the 19th and 20th centuries, giving way to the metaphor "guinea pig" for a test subject, but have since been largely replaced by other rodents such as [[mice]] and [[Rat (species)|rat]]s. They are still used in research, primarily as models for human medical conditions such as juvenile diabetes, tuberculosis, scurvy, and pregnancy complications.

== Guinea pigs in media ==

As a result of their widespread popularity in human domestic life, and especially because of their popularity in households with children, Guinea pigs have shown a presence in culture and media. Some noted appearances of the animal in literature are ''[[Wikipedia:The Fairy Caravan|The Fairy Caravan]]'', a novel by [[Wikipedia:Beatrix Potter|Beatrix Potter]], and Michael Bond's ''[[Wikipedia:Olga da Polga|Olga da Polga]]'' series for children, both of which feature Guinea pigs as the central protagonist. Another appearance is in ''[[Wikipedia:The Magician's Nephew|The Magician's Nephew]]'' by C. S. Lewis: in the first (chronologically) of his ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' series, a Guinea pig is the first creature to travel to the Wood between the Worlds. The short story ''Pigs is Pigs'' by Ellis Parker Butler is a tale of bureaucratic incompetence; two Guinea pigs held at a train station breed unchecked while humans argue as to whether they are "pigs" for the purpose of determining freight charges. In ''The Golden Hamster Saga'' books, there are two Guinea pigs named Enrico and Caruso who are modern-day thespians (named after Enrico Caruso) who serve as secondary characters, and often irritate the main character, Freddy Auratus who strongly dislikes their acting antics.
Guinea pigs have also been featured in film and television. In the TV movie ''Shredderman Rules'', the main character and the main character's crush both have Guinea pigs which both play a minor part in the plot. A Guinea pig named Rodney, voiced by Chris Rock, was a prominent character in the 1998 film ''[[Dr. Dolittle]]'' and Linny the Guinea pig is a co-star on Nick Jr's Wonder Pets. Guinea pigs were used in some major advertising campaigns in the 1990s and 2000s, notably for Egg Banking plc, Snapple, and Blockbuster Video.

== See also ==
*[[Wikipedia:Guinea pig|Guinea pig]] on [[Wikipedia]]
*[[:Category:Guinea Pig characters]]

{{species-stub}}

[[Category:Rodent species]]

[[ru:Морские свинки]]

Guinea pig

2023-11-07T17:57:07Z

2603:3005:2400:E500:8D2B:B9D3:1EC:B5A8:

The '''Guinea pig''' (''Cavia porcellus'') also known as the '''cavy''', is a species of [[rodent]] belonging to the genus ''Cavia'' in the family Caviidae. Despite their common name, these animals are not [[pig]]s, nor do they come from Guinea. They actually come from South America. The Guinea pig plays an important role in the folk culture of many Indigenous South American groups, especially as a food source, but also in folk medicine and in community religious ceremonies.

In Western societies, the Guinea pig has enjoyed widespread popularity as a household [[pet]] since its introduction by European traders in the 16th century. Their docile nature, their responsiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them, continue to make the Guinea pig a popular pet. Organizations devoted to competitive breeding of guinea pigs have been formed worldwide, and many specialized breeds of guinea pig, with varying coat colors and compositions, are cultivated by breeders.

Biological experimentation on Guinea pigs has been carried out since the 17th century. The animals were frequently used as a model organism in the 19th and 20th centuries, giving way to the metaphor "guinea pig" for a test subject, but have since been largely replaced by other rodents such as [[mice]] and [[Rat (species)|rat]]s. They are still used in research, primarily as models for human medical conditions such as juvenile diabetes, tuberculosis, scurvy, and pregnancy complications.

== Guinea pigs in media ==

As a result of their widespread popularity in human domestic life, and especially because of their popularity in households with children, Guinea pigs have shown a presence in culture and media. Some noted appearances of the animal in literature are ''[[Wikipedia:The Fairy Caravan|The Fairy Caravan]]'', a novel by [[Wikipedia:Beatrix Potter|Beatrix Potter]], and Michael Bond's ''[[Wikipedia:Olga da Polga|Olga da Polga]]'' series for children, both of which feature Guinea pigs as the central protagonist. Another appearance is in ''[[Wikipedia:The Magician's Nephew|The Magician's Nephew]]'' by C. S. Lewis: in the first (chronologically) of his ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' series, a Guinea pig is the first creature to travel to the Wood between the Worlds. The short story ''Pigs is Pigs'' by Ellis Parker Butler is a tale of bureaucratic incompetence; two Guinea pigs held at a train station breed unchecked while humans argue as to whether they are "pigs" for the purpose of determining freight charges. In ''The Golden Hamster Saga'' books, there are two Guinea pigs named Enrico and Caruso who are modern-day thespians (named after Enrico Caruso) who serve as secondary characters, and often irritate the main character, Freddy Auratus who strongly dislikes their acting antics.
Guinea pigs have also been featured in film and television. In the TV movie ''Shredderman Rules'', the main character and the main character's crush both have Guinea pigs which both play a minor part in the plot. A Guinea pig named Rodney, voiced by Chris Rock, was a prominent character in the 1998 film ''[[Dr. Dolittle]]'' and Linny the Guinea pig is a co-star on Nick Jr's Wonder Pets. Guinea pigs were used in some major advertising campaigns in the 1990s and 2000s, notably for Egg Banking plc, Snapple, and Blockbuster Video.

== See also ==
*[[Wikipedia:Guinea pig|Guinea pig]] on [[Wikipedia]]
*[[:Category:Guinea Pig characters]]

{{species-stub}}

[[Category:Rodent species]]

[[ru:Морские свинки]]

Guinea pig

2023-11-07T17:48:48Z

2603:3005:2400:E500:8D2B:B9D3:1EC:B5A8: /* See also */

The '''Guinea pig''', also known as the cavy (''Cavia porcellus''), is a species of [[rodent]] belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Despite their common name, these animals are not [[pig]]s, nor do they come from Guinea. They actually come from South America. The Guinea pig plays an important role in the folk culture of many Indigenous South American groups, especially as a food source, but also in folk medicine and in community religious ceremonies.

In Western societies, the Guinea pig has enjoyed widespread popularity as a household [[pet]] since its introduction by European traders in the 16th century. Their docile nature, their responsiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them, continue to make the Guinea pig a popular pet. Organizations devoted to competitive breeding of guinea pigs have been formed worldwide, and many specialized breeds of guinea pig, with varying coat colors and compositions, are cultivated by breeders.

Biological experimentation on Guinea pigs has been carried out since the 17th century. The animals were frequently used as a model organism in the 19th and 20th centuries, giving way to the metaphor "guinea pig" for a test subject, but have since been largely replaced by other rodents such as [[mice]] and [[Rat (species)|rat]]s. They are still used in research, primarily as models for human medical conditions such as juvenile diabetes, tuberculosis, scurvy, and pregnancy complications.

== Guinea pigs in media ==

As a result of their widespread popularity in human domestic life, and especially because of their popularity in households with children, Guinea pigs have shown a presence in culture and media. Some noted appearances of the animal in literature are ''[[Wikipedia:The Fairy Caravan|The Fairy Caravan]]'', a novel by [[Wikipedia:Beatrix Potter|Beatrix Potter]], and Michael Bond's ''[[Wikipedia:Olga da Polga|Olga da Polga]]'' series for children, both of which feature Guinea pigs as the central protagonist. Another appearance is in ''[[Wikipedia:The Magician's Nephew|The Magician's Nephew]]'' by C. S. Lewis: in the first (chronologically) of his ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' series, a Guinea pig is the first creature to travel to the Wood between the Worlds. The short story ''Pigs is Pigs'' by Ellis Parker Butler is a tale of bureaucratic incompetence; two Guinea pigs held at a train station breed unchecked while humans argue as to whether they are "pigs" for the purpose of determining freight charges. In ''The Golden Hamster Saga'' books, there are two Guinea pigs named Enrico and Caruso who are modern-day thespians (named after Enrico Caruso) who serve as secondary characters, and often irritate the main character, Freddy Auratus who strongly dislikes their acting antics.
Guinea pigs have also been featured in film and television. In the TV movie ''Shredderman Rules'', the main character and the main character's crush both have Guinea pigs which both play a minor part in the plot. A Guinea pig named Rodney, voiced by Chris Rock, was a prominent character in the 1998 film ''[[Dr. Dolittle]]'' and Linny the Guinea pig is a co-star on Nick Jr's Wonder Pets. Guinea pigs were used in some major advertising campaigns in the 1990s and 2000s, notably for Egg Banking plc, Snapple, and Blockbuster Video.

== See also ==
*[[Wikipedia:Guinea pig|Guinea pig]] on [[Wikipedia]]
*[[:Category:Guinea Pig characters]]

{{species-stub}}

[[Category:Rodent species]]

[[ru:Морские свинки]]

Guinea pig

2023-11-07T17:44:50Z

2603:3005:2400:E500:8D2B:B9D3:1EC:B5A8: /* See also */

The '''Guinea pig''', also known as the cavy (''Cavia porcellus''), is a species of [[rodent]] belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Despite their common name, these animals are not [[pig]]s, nor do they come from Guinea. They actually come from South America. The Guinea pig plays an important role in the folk culture of many Indigenous South American groups, especially as a food source, but also in folk medicine and in community religious ceremonies.

In Western societies, the Guinea pig has enjoyed widespread popularity as a household [[pet]] since its introduction by European traders in the 16th century. Their docile nature, their responsiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them, continue to make the Guinea pig a popular pet. Organizations devoted to competitive breeding of guinea pigs have been formed worldwide, and many specialized breeds of guinea pig, with varying coat colors and compositions, are cultivated by breeders.

Biological experimentation on Guinea pigs has been carried out since the 17th century. The animals were frequently used as a model organism in the 19th and 20th centuries, giving way to the metaphor "guinea pig" for a test subject, but have since been largely replaced by other rodents such as [[mice]] and [[Rat (species)|rat]]s. They are still used in research, primarily as models for human medical conditions such as juvenile diabetes, tuberculosis, scurvy, and pregnancy complications.

== Guinea pigs in media ==

As a result of their widespread popularity in human domestic life, and especially because of their popularity in households with children, Guinea pigs have shown a presence in culture and media. Some noted appearances of the animal in literature are ''[[Wikipedia:The Fairy Caravan|The Fairy Caravan]]'', a novel by [[Wikipedia:Beatrix Potter|Beatrix Potter]], and Michael Bond's ''[[Wikipedia:Olga da Polga|Olga da Polga]]'' series for children, both of which feature Guinea pigs as the central protagonist. Another appearance is in ''[[Wikipedia:The Magician's Nephew|The Magician's Nephew]]'' by C. S. Lewis: in the first (chronologically) of his ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' series, a Guinea pig is the first creature to travel to the Wood between the Worlds. The short story ''Pigs is Pigs'' by Ellis Parker Butler is a tale of bureaucratic incompetence; two Guinea pigs held at a train station breed unchecked while humans argue as to whether they are "pigs" for the purpose of determining freight charges. In ''The Golden Hamster Saga'' books, there are two Guinea pigs named Enrico and Caruso who are modern-day thespians (named after Enrico Caruso) who serve as secondary characters, and often irritate the main character, Freddy Auratus who strongly dislikes their acting antics.
Guinea pigs have also been featured in film and television. In the TV movie ''Shredderman Rules'', the main character and the main character's crush both have Guinea pigs which both play a minor part in the plot. A Guinea pig named Rodney, voiced by Chris Rock, was a prominent character in the 1998 film ''[[Dr. Dolittle]]'' and Linny the Guinea pig is a co-star on Nick Jr's Wonder Pets. Guinea pigs were used in some major advertising campaigns in the 1990s and 2000s, notably for Egg Banking plc, Snapple, and Blockbuster Video.

== See also ==
*[[Wikipedia:Guinea pig|Guinea pig]] on [[Wikipedia]]
*[[:Category:Guinea Pig characters]]

{{species-stub}}

{{Wikipedia:Guinea_pig|Guinea_pig}}
[[Category:Rodent species]]

[[ru:Морские свинки]]

Guinea pig

2023-11-07T17:44:29Z

2603:3005:2400:E500:8D2B:B9D3:1EC:B5A8: /* See also */

The '''Guinea pig''', also known as the cavy (''Cavia porcellus''), is a species of [[rodent]] belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Despite their common name, these animals are not [[pig]]s, nor do they come from Guinea. They actually come from South America. The Guinea pig plays an important role in the folk culture of many Indigenous South American groups, especially as a food source, but also in folk medicine and in community religious ceremonies.

In Western societies, the Guinea pig has enjoyed widespread popularity as a household [[pet]] since its introduction by European traders in the 16th century. Their docile nature, their responsiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them, continue to make the Guinea pig a popular pet. Organizations devoted to competitive breeding of guinea pigs have been formed worldwide, and many specialized breeds of guinea pig, with varying coat colors and compositions, are cultivated by breeders.

Biological experimentation on Guinea pigs has been carried out since the 17th century. The animals were frequently used as a model organism in the 19th and 20th centuries, giving way to the metaphor "guinea pig" for a test subject, but have since been largely replaced by other rodents such as [[mice]] and [[Rat (species)|rat]]s. They are still used in research, primarily as models for human medical conditions such as juvenile diabetes, tuberculosis, scurvy, and pregnancy complications.

== Guinea pigs in media ==

As a result of their widespread popularity in human domestic life, and especially because of their popularity in households with children, Guinea pigs have shown a presence in culture and media. Some noted appearances of the animal in literature are ''[[Wikipedia:The Fairy Caravan|The Fairy Caravan]]'', a novel by [[Wikipedia:Beatrix Potter|Beatrix Potter]], and Michael Bond's ''[[Wikipedia:Olga da Polga|Olga da Polga]]'' series for children, both of which feature Guinea pigs as the central protagonist. Another appearance is in ''[[Wikipedia:The Magician's Nephew|The Magician's Nephew]]'' by C. S. Lewis: in the first (chronologically) of his ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' series, a Guinea pig is the first creature to travel to the Wood between the Worlds. The short story ''Pigs is Pigs'' by Ellis Parker Butler is a tale of bureaucratic incompetence; two Guinea pigs held at a train station breed unchecked while humans argue as to whether they are "pigs" for the purpose of determining freight charges. In ''The Golden Hamster Saga'' books, there are two Guinea pigs named Enrico and Caruso who are modern-day thespians (named after Enrico Caruso) who serve as secondary characters, and often irritate the main character, Freddy Auratus who strongly dislikes their acting antics.
Guinea pigs have also been featured in film and television. In the TV movie ''Shredderman Rules'', the main character and the main character's crush both have Guinea pigs which both play a minor part in the plot. A Guinea pig named Rodney, voiced by Chris Rock, was a prominent character in the 1998 film ''[[Dr. Dolittle]]'' and Linny the Guinea pig is a co-star on Nick Jr's Wonder Pets. Guinea pigs were used in some major advertising campaigns in the 1990s and 2000s, notably for Egg Banking plc, Snapple, and Blockbuster Video.

== See also ==
*[[Wikipedia:Guinea pig|Guinea pig]] on [[Wikipedia]]
*[[:Category:Guinea Pig characters]]

{{species-stub}}

{{Wikipedia:Guinea_pig|Guinea pig}}
[[Category:Rodent species]]

[[ru:Морские свинки]]

Guinea pig

2023-11-07T17:40:59Z

2603:3005:2400:E500:8D2B:B9D3:1EC:B5A8: /* Guinea pigs in media */

The '''Guinea pig''', also known as the cavy (''Cavia porcellus''), is a species of [[rodent]] belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Despite their common name, these animals are not [[pig]]s, nor do they come from Guinea. They actually come from South America. The Guinea pig plays an important role in the folk culture of many Indigenous South American groups, especially as a food source, but also in folk medicine and in community religious ceremonies.

In Western societies, the Guinea pig has enjoyed widespread popularity as a household [[pet]] since its introduction by European traders in the 16th century. Their docile nature, their responsiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them, continue to make the Guinea pig a popular pet. Organizations devoted to competitive breeding of guinea pigs have been formed worldwide, and many specialized breeds of guinea pig, with varying coat colors and compositions, are cultivated by breeders.

Biological experimentation on Guinea pigs has been carried out since the 17th century. The animals were frequently used as a model organism in the 19th and 20th centuries, giving way to the metaphor "guinea pig" for a test subject, but have since been largely replaced by other rodents such as [[mice]] and [[Rat (species)|rat]]s. They are still used in research, primarily as models for human medical conditions such as juvenile diabetes, tuberculosis, scurvy, and pregnancy complications.

== Guinea pigs in media ==

As a result of their widespread popularity in human domestic life, and especially because of their popularity in households with children, Guinea pigs have shown a presence in culture and media. Some noted appearances of the animal in literature are ''[[Wikipedia:The Fairy Caravan|The Fairy Caravan]]'', a novel by [[Wikipedia:Beatrix Potter|Beatrix Potter]], and Michael Bond's ''[[Wikipedia:Olga da Polga|Olga da Polga]]'' series for children, both of which feature Guinea pigs as the central protagonist. Another appearance is in ''[[Wikipedia:The Magician's Nephew|The Magician's Nephew]]'' by C. S. Lewis: in the first (chronologically) of his ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' series, a Guinea pig is the first creature to travel to the Wood between the Worlds. The short story ''Pigs is Pigs'' by Ellis Parker Butler is a tale of bureaucratic incompetence; two Guinea pigs held at a train station breed unchecked while humans argue as to whether they are "pigs" for the purpose of determining freight charges. In ''The Golden Hamster Saga'' books, there are two Guinea pigs named Enrico and Caruso who are modern-day thespians (named after Enrico Caruso) who serve as secondary characters, and often irritate the main character, Freddy Auratus who strongly dislikes their acting antics.
Guinea pigs have also been featured in film and television. In the TV movie ''Shredderman Rules'', the main character and the main character's crush both have Guinea pigs which both play a minor part in the plot. A Guinea pig named Rodney, voiced by Chris Rock, was a prominent character in the 1998 film ''[[Dr. Dolittle]]'' and Linny the Guinea pig is a co-star on Nick Jr's Wonder Pets. Guinea pigs were used in some major advertising campaigns in the 1990s and 2000s, notably for Egg Banking plc, Snapple, and Blockbuster Video.

== See also ==
*[[Wikipedia:Guinea pig|Guinea pig]] on [[Wikipedia]]
*[[:Category:Guinea Pig characters]]

{{species-stub}}

{{Wikipedia:Guinea pig|Guinea pig}}
[[Category:Rodent species]]

[[ru:Морские свинки]]

Guinea pig

2023-11-07T17:38:31Z

2603:3005:2400:E500:8D2B:B9D3:1EC:B5A8:

The '''Guinea pig''', also known as the cavy (''Cavia porcellus''), is a species of [[rodent]] belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Despite their common name, these animals are not [[pig]]s, nor do they come from Guinea. They actually come from South America. The Guinea pig plays an important role in the folk culture of many Indigenous South American groups, especially as a food source, but also in folk medicine and in community religious ceremonies.

In Western societies, the Guinea pig has enjoyed widespread popularity as a household [[pet]] since its introduction by European traders in the 16th century. Their docile nature, their responsiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them, continue to make the Guinea pig a popular pet. Organizations devoted to competitive breeding of guinea pigs have been formed worldwide, and many specialized breeds of guinea pig, with varying coat colors and compositions, are cultivated by breeders.

Biological experimentation on Guinea pigs has been carried out since the 17th century. The animals were frequently used as a model organism in the 19th and 20th centuries, giving way to the metaphor "guinea pig" for a test subject, but have since been largely replaced by other rodents such as [[mice]] and [[Rat (species)|rat]]s. They are still used in research, primarily as models for human medical conditions such as juvenile diabetes, tuberculosis, scurvy, and pregnancy complications.

== Guinea pigs in media ==

As a result of their widespread popularity in human domestic life, and especially because of their popularity in households with children, Guinea pigs have shown a presence in culture and media. Some noted appearances of the animal in literature are ''[[The Fairy Caravan]]'', a novel by [[Beatrix Potter]], and Michael Bond's ''[[Olga da Polga]]'' series for children, both of which feature Guinea pigs as the central protagonist. Another appearance is in ''[[The Magician's Nephew]]'' by C. S. Lewis: in the first (chronologically) of his ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' series, a Guinea pig is the first creature to travel to the Wood between the Worlds. The short story ''Pigs is Pigs'' by Ellis Parker Butler is a tale of bureaucratic incompetence; two Guinea pigs held at a train station breed unchecked while humans argue as to whether they are "pigs" for the purpose of determining freight charges. In the Golden Hamster Saga books, there are two Guinea pigs named Enrico and Caruso who are modern-day thespians (named after Enrico Caruso) who serve as secondary characters, and often irritate the main character, Freddy Auratus who strongly dislikes their acting antics.
Guinea pigs have also been featured in film and television. In the TV movie ''Shredderman Rules'', the main character and the main character's crush both have Guinea pigs which both play a minor part in the plot. A Guinea pig named Rodney, voiced by Chris Rock, was a prominent character in the 1998 film ''[[Dr. Dolittle]]'' and Linny the Guinea pig is a co-star on Nick Jr's Wonder Pets. Guinea pigs were used in some major advertising campaigns in the 1990s and 2000s, notably for Egg Banking plc, Snapple, and Blockbuster Video.

== See also ==
*[[Wikipedia:Guinea pig|Guinea pig]] on [[Wikipedia]]
*[[:Category:Guinea Pig characters]]

{{species-stub}}

{{Wikipedia:Guinea pig|Guinea pig}}
[[Category:Rodent species]]

[[ru:Морские свинки]]

Pikachu

2023-11-07T17:31:03Z

2603:3005:2400:E500:8D2B:B9D3:1EC:B5A8:

{{unref}}
{{Infobox fictional species
| name = Pikachu
| image = [[File:Pikachu.jpg|250px]]
| caption = ''Pokémon Omega Ruby'' and ''Alpha Sapphire'' promotional artwork by Ken Sugimori
| author(s) = Atsuko Nishida and Ken Sugimori
| creation date = 1990s
| publishing date = February 27, 1996
| alternate name(s) = Mouse Pokémon (Pokedex)<br/>
ピカチュウ (Japanese)
| home = Kanto (region where it was introduced)
| metazoan = [[Rodent]]
| type = Biological
| morphology = [[Feral]] semi-[[biped]]
| sapience = Semi-[[human]]; near-human when trained{{fact}}
| gender = Male, female
| locomotion = Terrestrial
| communication = Verbal, pantomime (Ash Ketchum's Pikachu)
}}
'''Pikachu''' ([[wikipedia:Japanese language|Japanese]]: '''ピカチュウ''') is a fictional species from the ''[[Pokémon]]'' [[animé]], [[manga]], and [[video game]]s. It is one of the more popular [[species]], and serves as the franchise [[mascot]], in addition to being one of [[wikipedia:Japan|Japan's]] mascots for the [[wikipedia:2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/articles/pikachu-is-japan-s-awesome-mascot-for-fifa-world-cup-2014/1100-6418347/ "Pikachu is Japan's awesome mascot for FIFA World Cup 2014"], GameSpot article by Martin Gaston, dated March 17, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2015.</ref> Pikachu has also had a balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade since 2001.<ref>[http://macysthanksgiving.wikia.com/wiki/Pikachu "Pikachu"], Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Wiki entry.</ref>

It evolves from Pichu and then into Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone.

The appearance of a Pikachu is that of a cartoon yellow mouse, with long pointed ears, black markings, red cheeks, and a lightning-bolt shaped tail. Their round bodies and bright eyes give off a general idea of "cuteness." However, their cheeks aren't just for show; they contain powerful electric sacs, capable of administering 1,000 amps of electricity.<ref>[https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pikachu_(Pok%C3%A9mon)#Trivia "Pikachu Trivia"], from the entry for Pikachu at [https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Main_Page "Bulbapedia"].</ref>

Contrary to popular belief, the "pika" in Pikachu does not derive from the [[Wikipedia:Pika|pika]]. It is actually derived from the Japanese onomatopoeia "pikapika", the sound and electric spark makes.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20100501090040/http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1122/pokemon6.fullinterview2.html</ref>

==Abilities==
Pikachu is an Electric-type Pokémon. It is able to release electric discharges of varying intensity. It has been known to build up energy in its glands, which it will need to discharge to avoid complications. It is also able to release energy through its tail, which acts as a grounding rod, as well as recharge fellow Pikachu with electric shocks.
Pikachu and its evolutionary relatives are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Volt Tackle. Pikachu is also the only known Pokémon capable of using the Z-Move Catastropika, and the only known Pokémon capable of using the Light Ball item.

==See also==
*[[:Category:Pikachu characters]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[[wikipedia:Pikachu|Pikachu]] on [[Wikipedia]]
*[[bulbapedia:Pikachu (Pokémon)|Pikachu]] on Bulbapedia

{{species-stub}}

[[Category:Mouse characters]]
[[Category:Pokémon characters]]
[[Category:Fictional species]]
[[Category:Rodent species]]
[[Category:Mascots]]

[[es:Pikachu]]
[[it:Pikachu]]