Caviidae,來自圖皮語 saûîá（在南美洲發現的一些囓齒動物物種的通稱）,是指該科的所有成員都是南美洲特有且數量豐富的囓齒動物.

Caviidae, from Tupi saûîá (generic name for some rodent species found in South America), in reference to the fact that all the members of this family are characteristic and abundant rodents in South America.

種的俗名 Common names of members

豚鼠,野豚鼠,长耳豚鼠,岩豚鼠,水豚.

Guinea pigs, wild cavies, maras, mocos and capybaras.

分佈 Distribution  

南美洲.

South America.

體型 Size

在不同品種中,牠們的尺寸從長 22 公分、重 300 克到長 106-134 公分、重 35-66 公斤不等.

Across species, their dimensions vary from 22 cm in length and 300 grams in weight to 106–134 cm in length and 35–66 kg in weight.

形態描述 Morphology

牠們的頭很大,身體又粗又小.大多數看起來都沒有尾巴.牠們沒有鎖骨,有尖銳或厚實的強壯指甲,前爪有四個腳趾,後爪有三個腳趾.

Their heads are big and their bodies are thick and small. Most don't appear to have tails. They lack a collarbone, have strong, pointed, or thick nails, and have four toes on each of their front and three on each of their back paws.

生態與棲息地 Habitat & Ecology

橫跨潮濕的稀树草原、灌叢沙漠到多刺林地的廣闊空間.

Across wide spaces ranging from damp savanna to scrub desert to thorny woodlands.

食性 Diet

牠們是草食性動物,吃堅硬的草或較軟的葉子,視乎品種而定. 

They are herbivores, eating tough grasses or softer leaves, depending on species.

繁殖 Reproduction 

這些動物的社會結構在不同物種之間存在很大差異.有些物種會建立永久性的社會群體,但很多其他物種則是多雄多雌的多配偶制,一隻雄性照顧著兩隻或更多的雌性.另一方面,也有一些單配偶制的物種,會建立暫時性的集體育幼地,供多個母親照顧後代;還有一些物種則以十隻或更多的群體生

The group's social structures differ greatly from one species to another. While some species create permanent social groups, many others are promiscuous and keep harems of two or more females under their care. On the other hand, there are monogamous species which establish transient colonial creches to tend to the offspring of several mothers; and others who live in groups of ten or more, occasionally even more. Each group consists of a single dominant male, several females, subordinate males, and juveniles.

已知的物種

Total species known

21

博物館收藏的物種

Species in the collection

1

在香港已知的物種

Species in Hong Kong

0

Reference

Macdonald, D. W. (2006). The Encyclopedia of mammals. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780199206087.001.0001.

Savage, R. J. G., Long, M. R. (1986). Mammal Evolution: an illustrated guide. Facts on File.

Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (2005). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Navarro, E. A. (2013). Dicionário de tupi antigo: a língua indígena clássica do Brasil. Global.