Our article will talk about the Rex guinea pig. We will describe it, consider its features, character, habits. The article will also give recommendations on keeping and feeding this rodent at home.
Let us note that from the moment guinea pigs arrived in Europe and America, breeders were able to develop many new breeds that differed from others in coat structure, size, and so on. Among these species was the rex. First, let's look at some points from the history of the breed.
Distinctive features
Rex is a large breed. Individual adult representatives are 35 cm long.
The animals are distinguished by a well-built, elastic body, with developed muscles, and a wide skeleton.
A great physique promotes activity. Healthy animals have a lively sparkle in their eyes. A distinctive feature of the breed is its rosette ears.
In cubs they are even, protruding, and over time the shape begins to bend.
Another feature is thick and dense wool. There are no guard hairs, so it feels like the pig is disheveled.
The color can be any: plain, agouti, red, black, gray. There are very interesting color combinations. Dalmatian pigs look original.
Appearance of a rodent
All representatives of the breed have slightly drooping, rounded ears. Breeders compare them to rose petals. Newborn pigs may have protruding ears. As they age they will become droopy. What size is a Rex guinea pig? The average body length is 23 cm. Typically, females are slightly smaller than males.
Next, let's look at the appearance features of the Rex guinea pig. The following characteristics are characteristic of this breed:
- broad shoulders;
- strong physique;
- thick, short, straight neck;
- wide, but at the same time neat head;
- straight, level back;
- slightly bulging, expressive shiny eyes;
- well-developed muscles;
- straight, even legs;
- wide chest;
- rounded nose with a slight neat bend;
- straight claws;
- slightly drooping, rounded croup;
- tightly clenched fingers.
Content
The habitat is of great importance for the rodent. The cage must be large. The animal should not feel squeezed in a confined space.
To prevent the pet from getting bored and to develop muscle tissue, play areas and “simulators” should be provided for the cage. Movement for a pig is health and joy.
The cage is either metal or plastic. Rex guinea pigs will not be happy with poorly ventilated aquariums. You shouldn’t take a wooden cage; after all, it’s a rodent and it will try to sharpen its teeth on the wooden elements. In addition, wood absorbs dirt, deteriorates due to dampness, and produces an unpleasant odor. A 10-centimeter layer of bedding is placed on the bottom of the cage. Do not use a grate as a bottom, otherwise your pet will injure its paws. He doesn't know how to climb stairs either. 60x35x45 is the minimum cage size for one individual.
The best bedding is high-quality fresh hay. You can first knead it in your hands.
Cages need to be cleaned regularly. Your pet will already have developed a reflex when the cage is cleaned, and she will feel much better once she gets used to the cleaning schedule. This will minimize the stress that the animal may experience when the home is cleaned.
From time to time, rodents need to be let out of their cage for a walk. They are very curious. They need twenty-minute runs not only for entertainment, but also for health. If your pet does not have the opportunity for active walks, he will feel unwell, become lethargic, gain excess weight, and his life expectancy will decrease.
Rex guinea pig
Description
Rex (or, by its second name, royal guinea pig) is one of the youngest breeds. Its main feature is its unusual hair structure: the hair is short (up to 1.2 cm), hard, slightly curly, resembling fluff.
The color of the Rex's coat is varied. It can be plain, agouti, agouti bicolor (agouti in combination with any other color) or any other (Dalmatians, Argentines, etc.).
The Rex's body is quite compact, its head is wide and short, and its muzzle is not sharp. Expressive, clear eyes set wide apart. The ears are large and drooping.
Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 4-5 weeks, and males at 8-10. However, individuals aged 12 weeks or older are allowed to reproduce. It is no longer recommended to breed pigs older than 2 years. The female bears the offspring for 63 days. The offspring usually consists of 4 cubs.
Rexes are considered one of the largest breeds of guinea pigs.
Behavior
Rexes are unusually active and energetic guinea pigs. They love to play, prefer to move as much as possible, love to go through obstacles and run.
A Rex should have a lot of toys in its cage, because games and movement are not only interesting, but also very good for health. In addition, these animals are very smart and, if desired, they can even be taught to perform various tricks.
Guinea pigs are good-natured and friendly. They play with pleasure with people, including children, get used to smells and easily recognize their owners. However, do not forget that a guinea pig is a rather fragile pet and must be handled with care and precision.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a rex if properly kept is about 8 years.
Content Features
As we noted above, several toys and obstacles need to be installed in the cage of a moving pet so that the guinea pig always has the opportunity to move and frolic.
You should not choose a cage with a mesh bottom: your pet’s paws will fall through. And even if the mesh is very fine, such a bottom will cause discomfort to the sensitive paws of the rodent. Aquariums are also not the best solution, because... they lack natural ventilation. Wooden cages, at first glance, seem comfortable, but in practice, wood absorbs dirt and retains unpleasant odors. Therefore, the ideal option for keeping a guinea pig is iron (or, in extreme cases, plastic) cages with a metal bottom.
The cage must be kept clean. It needs to be cleaned regularly.
A balanced diet is the most important guarantee of the health and beauty of a pet. The Rex diet is standard for all guinea pigs. You should not overuse cabbage and clover: in large quantities, such food causes gas formation in rodents. Fresh water should always be freely available.
Due to its structure, your pet's hard fur can often get dirty. As a rule, all dirt can be easily removed using a special brush. You should bathe a rodent only in extreme cases, but not more than 2 times a year.
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Hygiene procedures
The hair of Rex pigs is thick, curly, and dirt and hay easily stick to it. It is necessary to clean the animal with a special massage brush as it gets dirty. Accessories for cleaning wool should be washed well using detergents. Bathing is stressful for these rodents. They don't like water. Although there are also animals that can easily tolerate water hygiene procedures. With regular brushing, rodents can be washed no more than once every 6 months. Shampoo is either for children or purchased at a pet store.
Animal fur
The breed standard specifies not only the possible colors, but also the permissible coat length. Its optimal length is up to 17 millimeters. However, it may be a little larger. The fur of the Rex guinea pig (its photo is presented below for clarity) is short, dense, thick, slightly curly.
Tousled and straight coat are unacceptable. Also, the disadvantages of the “fur coat” include:
- loose, uneven or too smooth coat;
- hair length more than 20 mm.
Diet
There are no special features in feeding Rex. The pigs' diet consists of grain, hay, and succulent feed. Fruits and vegetables are given only as they are eaten, so that they do not rot in the cage. An animal can easily become poisoned by poor quality food. Pets are given an apple, carrot or a piece of pumpkin for breakfast and dinner. Grain is constantly poured into the feeder. You need to make sure there is always fresh water.
In the warm season, when succulent feed is available, grain can be omitted. This reduces the possibility of obesity in the pig.
The daily diet of pigs can include:
- dill;
- Bell pepper;
- lettuce leaves;
- cucumbers;
- watermelons;
- hard pears;
- sweet apples;
- twigs of willow, cherry, apple, pear.
Pigs should not be given garlic, mushrooms, chocolate, or sour fruits. It is dangerous to tear up the grass along the trails.
Reproduction
Rexes reach puberty at 3 months. It is recommended to wait at least that much longer, since the cubs may be born weak, and early pregnancy has a bad effect on the female. Experienced breeders produce very bright colors by forming pairs with interesting colors.
The female's pregnancy lasts on average 60 days. Babies are born sighted, weighing about 100 grams.
Description
The situation with the appearance of the kui has developed in such a way that several types of representatives of this breed are recognized. What they have in common is a stronger build, solid mass and considerable body length.
The following types can be distinguished:
- English or Peruvian - characterized by short hair, may have a rosette of hair on the head, usually very large;
- Abyssinian type - short-haired pigs with slow development;
- Peruvian - distinguished by long hair, attractive appearance, bred as an ornamental, not a meat species;
- merino - in rodents of this type, piglets are born curly, like lambs.
Giant pigs can have different types of fur and a wide variety of colors:
- plain;
- spotted bicolor;
- tricolor.
The weight of adult kui pigs cannot be less than 1.8 kg. The largest representatives are called cobayo. They gain weight up to 4 kg and their body length reaches half a meter.
Today the price for representatives of this breed ranges from 3 to 6 thousand rubles.
Temperament and habits of royal pigs
Rexes are very affectionate, loyal, friendly animals. There is not a drop of aggression in them. They quickly get used to their owners, sit on their laps, and purr.
Guinea pigs are animals that can be allowed to interact with children of preschool age, preferably from the age of five. Rexes are very gentle, it is easy for them to damage internal organs with careless movements.
When playing with an animal, you should not put it on the table. He does not feel heights and can be seriously injured if he falls.
Disadvantages and defects in representatives of the breed
Let's look at possible defects and shortcomings of the exterior. These include:
- raw lower eyelid;
- size that does not correspond to the breed standard;
- sagging back;
- curvature of the limbs (hind or front);
- narrow shoulder blades;
- light frame;
- narrow chest;
- clubfoot;
- narrow elongated body;
- croup too oblique;
- gibbosity.
Rex guinea pigs that have at least one of the above disadvantages are not allowed for breeding.
Owner reviews
Marina
I have a pig, Musya, for whom I recently bought a friend, Lola. Now I don't worry about them being bored. Near the cage we made an enclosure for walking and set up a play corner there. It's more interesting to play with Musya than with dolls.
Olga
I bought my daughter a Rex pig six months ago. I am glad that the choice fell on this breed. The animal is affectionate, unpretentious to food, and makes contact. The main thing is that it does not bite or scratch. Alina.
Our Queen Victoria had her cage made by herself. We went around the pet stores and didn't find what we wanted. We bought two cages, removed one wall at a time and combined them. These animals like space. We read a lot about pigs before getting them as pets. But still, we didn’t expect that these were such curious and good-natured animals.
How the breed appeared
The Rex breed is one of the oldest. It was bred in Great Britain, the first mention dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. However, the standard was formed much later - it took more than 50 years.
Cubs - “piglets” with wavy fur - appeared among English breeders in 1975. This unusual texture is caused by the prevalence of a recessive gene.
Despite its rich history, the breed has still not received official recognition in some countries.
How do guinea pigs behave in the wild?
