Although unknown to many keepers, guinea pigs and many other animal species can eat their young after giving birth. Although it may seem like a cruel and inhuman act, the truth is that behind it there is always a reason that justifies it. Do you want to know the cause of why they eat their daughters? If you want to find out, don't miss the following article on our site where we will explain why guinea pigs eat their young
Do guinea pigs eat their young?
As we mentioned earlier, yes, guinea pigs can eat their young, but not necessarily all of them or always. In fact, as we will see, it is not as common in this species as in others (for example, in hamsters).
For people, the fact that animals eat their own young can be an inhumane and self-destructive act, which even seems to go against evolutionary theory itself. However, what is known as puerperal cannibalism (death and ingestion of the young) always has a compelling reason behind it that justifies it, which has nothing to do with the cruelty.
Why can guinea pigs eat their young?
Puerperal cannibalism in rodents can be associated with:
- Ingestion of stillborn pups or die soon after delivery.
- Death and ingestion of young born alive.
In any case, the reason for this cannibalism is none other than survival:
- Intake of stillborn pups is due to the need to remove any remains that could attract potential predators and endanger the rest of the litter and the mother.
- The ingestion of live offspring may seem a priori somewhat aberrant, since it leads to the death of he althy animals. However, it also has good cause. Insufficient or poor quality feeding will prevent the female from producing enough milk to feed the entire litter. When the female sees her offspring in danger for this reason, she may decide to sacrifice the weakest to ensure the survival of the rest.
- Stress can also be a cause that triggers puerperal cannibalism. Females under high stress may devour their young, considering the burrow unsafe, in order to help form the next litter.
However, although puerperal cannibalism in guinea pigs is possible, the truth is that it is extremely rare in this species This is due to, fundamentally, because the young of the guinea pigs are born very developed. Their size is considerably large compared to that of their parent and, in addition, they are born completely covered with hair. That is why the ingestion of the young can be something really complicated for them.
What to do when a guinea pig has young?
Now that you know why guinea pigs eat their young, it is important that you know the measures that you must take into account before birth. The gestation of guinea pigs is relatively long, specifically between 58 and 75 days. During this period, it is essential for a veterinarian specializing in exotics to monitor the mother and her offspring to ensure their he alth and well-being. A home birth will only be feasible if the controls carried out during pregnancy indicate that, a priori, there are no risks. In addition, you must take into account the following considerations:
- Prepare a shelter For the delivery, it is important that the guinea pigs have a shelter where they can take shelter, sinceprefer to give birth in privacy The males must have separated from the mother before the 50th day of pregnancy, however, the females can remain throughout the gestation and delivery (as long as they have good relationship with mother). In this other article we talk about the care of a pregnant guinea pig.
- Check temperature At delivery, room temperature should be 18-24 ºC to ensure thermal comfort for mother and calves. Under normal conditions, guinea pigs give birth very quickly. In just about 30 minutes all the young are expelled, with an interval of 2 to 5 minutes between each young. During this period, it is important not to manipulate or disturb the mother in any way.
- Help only when necessary Immediately after each expulsion, The mother cleans the young and ingests her placenta As long as she is able and does it properly (without harming the young), it is important to let her do it herself. When several pups are born in a row, the mother may not be able to clean them all. In this case, the pup should be picked up with a clean cotton towel (rather than directly with the hands) and the amniotic sac gently removed using the towel itself.
In the event of any complication, it is important to call a professional specialized in exotics and follow her instructions step by step. It is advisable to have a means of transport prepared for the mother and the offspring, in case an emergency trip to an exotic clinic is necessary.
As we have already said, guinea pigs are born very developed. They are very precocious animals, which are born with their eyes open, hair and fully formed teeth. In addition, in a few minutes, they are able to walk and run completely normally. Likewise, they start eating solid food just 3 days after birth, so it is necessary that they have access to solid food. However, as mammals, they need a lactation period of 3-4 weeks after giving birth. During this time, it is essential that the litter stay with their mother
As far as the mother is concerned, it should not be forgotten that proper nutrition and a quiet environment during pregnancy, childbirth and lactation will be essential to prevent puerperal cannibalism.
How to prevent guinea pigs from eating their young?
As we have already mentioned, cannibalism is not a common practice among guinea pigs. However, there are certain factors that can trigger it, therefore, it is important to consider the following preventive measures:
- Immediately remove pups that are stillborn or die shortly after delivery.
- A Balanced diet is essential to avoid this problem. Ensuring adequate quantity and quality of food during pregnancy and lactation will almost certainly prevent puerperal cannibalism in guinea pigs.
- Avoid stress of guinea pigs during pregnancy, parturition and lactation. The female should be disturbed as little as possible and provided with a quiet and suitable place for the rearing of the litter.
Even so, keep in mind that you will then have to look for responsible families to adopt the guinea pigs once they are weaned. Therefore, we recommend evaluating the option of sterilization when females and males live together in the home.
