4-H Cavy Activity Page Adapted from Ohio State University Extension’s Cavy Resource Handbook: A 4-H Guide to Guinea Pigs 4-H215R and University of Tennessee Extension’s 4-H Animal Science Activity Pages Your 4-H Animal Science - Cavy Project When you have a cavy, you have to make many decisions. This 4-H project can help you make good decisions for your cavy. Some of the skills you can learn in this project are listed below. Check your favorites. Then work with your 4-H leaders and parents to make a 4-H project plan of what you want to learn this year. Learn about different breeds of cavies. Learn about the body parts of your cavy. Learn about your cavy’s nutritional and care My Cavy Project needs My cavy’s name ________________________ My cavy’s breed is ______________________ Learn how to show your cavy to a judge. My cavy’s group is ______________________ Other_________________________ Cavy Breeds & Groups- Oh My! Learning Experiences According to the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Below is a list of activities you can do this there are 13 recognized breeds of cavies. All breeds have year in the cavy project. Check the ones the same four groups -Self, Agouti, Solid and Marked which you plan to do. After you complete them, describe the color pattern of the cavy. Each group is then check the “I did it!” box. broken up into varieties which describe the color of the cavy. Find the different breed and group labels within the I plan Activity I did word search then research what breed and group your cavy to it! belongs to. WORD BANK Select a cavy for my BREEDS: project animal Abyssinian Create a budget for Abyssinian Satin caring for my cavy American Give a speech or American Satin demonstration related Coronet to my cavy project Peruvian Peruvian Satin Exhibit my cavy at Fair Silkie Participate in cavy Silkie Satin showmanship Teddy Learn the breed Teddy Satin standards of my cavy Texel Learn the cavy group White Crested characteristics (colors) WORD BANK Create a nutrition plan GROUPS: for my cavy’s diet Self Agouti Other _____________ Solid Marked 4-H Cavy Activity Page A Family Reunion The domestic cavy is a small rodent more closely related to procupines and chinchillas than to mice and rats. It is believed that domestication of the cavy occurred between 5,000-7,000 years ago in the Andes regions of Peru and Bolivia. A cavy’s extended family includes wild cavies, capybaras, and patagonian maras. Match the numbered cavy relative below to the accurate description. Then write whether each is domestic, or wild. # __________ Cavy (guinea pig) 1) 2) • wild or domestic? ________ • weight 1-3 lb • special qualities: have 14 toes, are born with fur and open eyes, 13 recognized breeds 3) # __________ Cavy (guinea pig) • wild or domestic? ________ • weight 1-3 lb • special qualities: typically brown in color but red and black variations occur, 4) construct tunnels through ground vegitation # __________ Patagonian Mara # __________ Capybara • wild or domestic? ________ wild or domestic? ________ • weight 17-35 lbs • weight 60-174 lbs • special qualities: their • special qualities: largest rodent movement incluedes walk, in the world, found on Central hop, gallop or stot & South American river banks Anatomy Use the anatomy word bank below to label the parts of the the American Cavy. Once you have it down on paper, practice your knowledge on a live animal! Back Hindquarters Chest Loin crown Mouth Ear Nose Eye Rump Face Shoulder Front feet Side of body Hind feet.