Pregnant Guinea Pig at the Hagenbeck Zoo, Hamburg (Germany)

The Guinea Pig or Domestic Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus), also known as the Cavy or Domestic Cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the genus Cavia, family Caviidae. Breeders tend to use the name "Cavy" for the animal, but "Guinea Pig" is more commonly used in scientific and laboratory contexts. Despite their name, Guinea Pigs are not native to Guinea, nor are they closely related to pigs. Instead, they originated in the Andes region of South America, where wild Guinea Pigs can still be found today. Domesticated Guinea Pigs occur in many breeds that have developed since their introduction to Europe and North America. These varieties vary in hair and colour composition. The most common variety found in pet stores is the English shorthair (also known as the American), which has a short, smooth coat, and the Abyssinian, whose coat is ruffled with cowlicks, or rosettes. Also popular among breeders are the Peruvian and the Sheltie (or Silkie), both straight longhair breeds, and the Texel, a curly longhair. When Guinea Pigs feel particularly comfortable and happy, they hop around the enclosure like fresh popcorn in a pan or pot. This behaviour is called 'popcorning'. At Hagenbeck Zoo the Domestic Guinea Pig lives opposite the pelican pond in their Guinea Pig village.

The Hagenbeck Zoo (Tierpark Hagenbeck) is a zoo in Stellingen, Hamburg, Germany. The collection began in 1863 with animals that belonged to Carl Hagenbeck Sr. (1810–1887), a fishmonger who became an amateur animal collector. The park itself was founded by Carl Hagenbeck Jr. (1844–1913) in 1907 and it is still operated and owned by the Hagenbeck family today. It is known for being the first zoo to use open enclosures surrounded by moats, rather than barred cages, to better approximate animals' natural environments. Over the years, the zoo has gained a good reputation for successfully breeding rare and endangered species such as the Asian Elephant and the Siberian Tiger.