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UPSC Prelims 1989 · Environment · Species Watch
Guinea pigs used in medical research are
- (a) Rodents
- (b) Black swine
- (c) Stocky and brown in colour
- (d) Found in Asia only
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Rodents
Guinea pigs are rodents from South America.
The idea
A guinea pig is neither a pig nor from Guinea. It is a small tailless rodent from the Andes of South America, where it was domesticated long ago for food. A rodent is a gnawing mammal whose front teeth never stop growing.
Rodents: rat, mouse, squirrel, porcupine, beaver, marmot, guinea pig → Largest rodent: capybara → Not rodents: rabbits and hares
Why the others are wrong
(b) They are not pigs at all.
(c) Colour varies — not a defining feature.
(d) They come from the Andes of South America.
The trap
The name suggests a pig from Guinea — both words are wrong.
Also know
Rodents are the largest order of mammals, about four out of every ten mammal species. Guinea pigs were so widely used in laboratories that “guinea pig” became the common word for anyone a thing is tested on.
🔒 Guinea pig = South American rodent (cavy), used in research.