Patagonian Cavy - Page 3

In the southern hemisphere spring falls during August to November and that is is one of the natural breeding times for Patagonian Cavies.

At the beginning of the breeding season, they gather in groups around a system of burrows.  Females usually have one to three babies, but have been known to have as many as five babies. When they babies are born they have all their fur, and their eyes and ears are open. Baby Patagonian Cavies can walk just minutes after they are born.  Babies go in and out of the dens on their own.

Patagonian Cavy Jigsaw puzzles are below the photo

Several females will share the same den or burrow for their babies.  At least once each day the mothers take turns going back to the den to nurse their young.  They will not nurse any babies that are not theirs. A female Patagonian Cavy uses scent to tell which babies are hers.  She runs off the other babies and feeds only her own.  Babies are weaned around 11 weeks of age. The male Patagonian cavy usually runs off other cavy pairs until his female is finished nursing their young. For the first three or four months the baby Patagonian cavies stay very close to the den.  Patagonian females usually have babies twice a year, but sometimes even three times a year.

Patagonian Cavies are considered mature when they are seven to eight months old. However they can have babies earlier than that. Patagonians Cavies average life span in the wild is seven to ten years. However in captivity they can live thirteen to fifteen years.