The guinea pig doesn’t feel like the most appreciated. It is often that the small rodent is larger than a hamster, and is used as a pet. However the guinea pig has been a test subject and a delicious food choice. Making the guinea pig more interesting than one could realize.
The Guinea pig (scientific name, Cavia porcellus) is a domesticated species that were bred in South America particularly in the Andes region. Despite the name, the guinea pig did not come from Guinea.
THE TASTE OF A GUINEA PIG
The guinea pig was originally bred for their meat. The Guinea pig is not really thought of as a food for many people in the USA, however the guinea pig is apparently a delicious snack itself. It is described as a cross between “roast duck and rabbit.” Consider if you enjoy the taste of either of those creatures. The most common place to eat a guinea pig is South America. It is considered as a fine source of protein.
THE TEST SUBJECT
Guinea pigs in the past have been tested on because our bodies are so similar.
The guinea pig shares about 98% of human DNA with us, making them a more reliable subject to test. Technically they aren’t the closest species, but they are small, easy to breed, and maintain to keep alive, making them the easiest creature to test on beside mice and rats.