When is National Guinea Pig Appreciation Day in 2024? Have you ever heard about this holiday? Well, despite the predictable negative answer of the most part of our followers the event like this one does really exist in the contemporary calendar and today we are going to represent you this special occasion in details. Are you ready? We are starting.
History
The explanation of the matter what day Guinea Pig Appreciation Day in 2024, would be impossible without the representation of the historical background of the event. Unfortunately, we havenโt managed to discover the names of the holiday establishers. However, we have prepared something really amazing for you.
For the first time, Europeans saw domestic guinea pigs at the end of the 15th century. According to scientists, it was in the mountainous part of Peru after the America discovery. Nobody knows exactly how it happened. However, there is a legend that the Europeans initially tried the meat of these animals in the market of one of the Indian villages. The creatures looked like suckling pigs for those people.
Until now, scientists have not been able to establish exactly when the domestic guinea pig came to the European continent. It is known that from the middle of the 16th century, sailors of Spanish ships, who came from Peru with rich cargoes of cocoa and gold, sold this small and good-natured animal to lovers of rarities. Connoisseurs, without hesitation, paid for the guinea pig with a golden escudo, which is why the Spanish name for guinea pigs arose – “escudo puerto”, that is, “pig for escudo”.
There is a belief that this happened around 1580. The investigation is based on the research of the Italian naturalist and naturalist Ulysses Aldrovandi. He is well-known for his work in embryology, botany and zoology and for the fact that he founded a botanical garden and a museum of animals and plants at the University of Bologna.
This scientist was the first person to describe the domestic guinea pig brought by the Spaniards from South America. From this description, it follows that the guinea pig first came to Europe about 30 years after Pizarro’s victory over the Indians. Other scientists believe that guinea pigs first saw Europe in about 1552, that is, about 60 years after the discovery of America by Columbus.
Meaning
What does Guinea Pig Appreciation Day mean? โ Well, we canโt even predict whether this holiday means something special for you or not. Why? โ You see, in the modern world you are free to choose, which holiday to celebrate and which ones can be forgotten.
According to the historians, the first Europeans who met a domestic guinea pig were the Spaniards. They called the animal Cochinillo das India – Indian pig. This was due to the fact that the Spaniards for a long time considered the South America discovered by Columbus as India.
Nowadays the Spaniards more often call it Cabayo. From Spain, the domesticated guinea pigs came to Portugal, and then to other European countries. And almost everywhere, translating the Spanish name of the animal into their language, the Europeans initially called a guinea pig the Indian one
Interesting Holidays:
For example, the French call it cochon d ‘Inde or cobayo. In Portugal – Porguinho da India, in Italy – porcella da India, in Holland – Indiaamsoh varken. Only in Belgium is it called cochon des montagnes, which means mountain pig.
Definition
Trying to discover the answer to the question โWhen is International Guinea Pig Appreciation Day 2024?โ we found out a lot of amazing pieces of information and today we are going to share some interesting facts with our followers.
In ordinary life, wild animal pigs prefer to be exceptionally active in the morning hours or closer to the evening. The mammal is quite agile and careful. At the same time it is able to run quickly.
Not everybody knows that the creature can be seen not only in the mountainous areas. It adores the forests as well. Guinea pigs don’t dig holes and arrange a nest in a quiet and secluded place. Dry grass, fluff and thin twigs are used to create a safe and secure shelter.
The animals are considered to be very social. That is the main explanation why it lives among its relatives. As a rule they occupied a large territory. Each family has a male, which may have from ten to twenty females.
Domesticated guinea pigs are held in ordinary cages. However, following the specialists, they should have enough space for walking. Activity is an important part of their life. Usually these pets sleep several times a day. By the way in the case of necessity the guinea pig can rest even without closing the eyes.
As a rule, the average life expectancy of a wild creature doesn’t exceed 7 years, and a domestic one may live pretty well up to the age of 15 years old due to the proper care and competent diet.
Traditions
When is Guinea Pig Appreciation Day in 2024, calendar will surely remind you. As a rule, it is not difficult to memorize it, as the occasion has a fixed date of its celebration. The event happens on July 16th annually. As you perhaps understand the celebration of this holiday is not organized by the local authorities. Nobody organizes parades, competitions and event devoted to it. However, you are always free to create something for yourself as well as for your close surrounding.
For example, you may devote July 16th to discovering something new about these creatures.ย – Have you ever heard that the price of this pet usually depends on numerous parameters. The most typical of them are gender, origin, quality and color characteristics. Under any conditions, the animal must be healthy, active and well-nourished. Don’t forget to check eyes and nose. They should be clean. The hair of healthy creatures is well-groomed and doesn’t have any combs or bald spots.
Certainly, the price for rare pigs is not available to ordinary buyers. However, if you want to start professional breeding, it is recommended to give preference to with excellent pedigree.
By the way, experienced owners never support crossing between representatives of long-haired and short-haired breeds. Why? – The matter is that all the resulting offspring are usually classified as low-quality mestizos and are not allowed to take part in exhibitions. So you should think twice before starting doing it.
In any case, this pet belongs to the list of the best ones. Especially they are appreciated by people who are trying to have their first animal at home. They are unpretentious and easy to maintain. At the same time, the pigs are considered to be very affectionate and quite sociable. So they would be a perfect choice even for families with small children.
National Guinea Pig Appreciation Day Facts
The question โWhat is the date of Guinea Pig Appreciation Day in 2024?โ involves a lot of amazing details. Today we are going to share some of them with you.
These pets are considered to be rather unpretentious animals. Following the experts’ point of view, their main ration should be represented by ordinary leaves and various kinds of crops. As you may see, there are no any problems in feeding.
However, the diet has to involve the essential amount of vitamins and a whole range of nutrients. That’s why it is recommended to create particular conditions for the pet to lead an active lifestyle. Otherwise, it’ll get fat.
All animals need to be encouraged. The best items for guinea pigs are various juicy fruits, berries, apples, pears, gapes and even tomatoes.
In winter, don’t forget to give your home pet some hay. The most useful sort is usually leguminous hay.
