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Baby gps are called "puppies" they look just like grown-up gps, only in a titchy way, which makes them the cutest of all the usual rodent babies. Because they are so well developed at birth there should be little risk from their parents, as is the case with mice, rats, rabbits and gerbils. They will have their own individual markings and colouring, with perhaps a mixture of Mum & Dad's colourings and/or markings. If you purchase your baby gp from a pet shop or similar, you most probably wont see the parents. But if you receive your baby gp from a friend who has the parents, you might be able to see who your little darling or darlings take their markings and colouring from.

There can be as little as two puppies or as many as six puppies born in any one litter, though six can be rare. The babies are born with a full coat, open eyes, and can crawl. The new babies drink milk from their Mamma but she has only two nipples so only two babies at a time can be fed, and after approximately two to four days they can eat solid food. They will nurse for two or three weeks even though they are eating on their own.

At two weeks old they hate to be apart, they communicate with each other making purring sounds, to let their brothers and sisters know where they are. They huddle and cuddle together to keep warm. AHH!!

When the puppies are four weeks old they are very curious, but beware they are nearly old enough to have babies of their own, this is when they must be separated, as they are far to young to be good parents at this age.

Guinea pigs enjoy a family life and it is not always necessary to separate the father from the babies, only if he is being boisterous or intimidating the babies. Do not let the father stay with the females over four weeks old, as they may become sexually mature. Also be aware that the female can mate shortly again after giving birth. So if you do not want to take chances, only allow the father to be in the cage with the female and the babies for short periods of time under your supervision, then remove him to another cage, for longer periods of time.

Baby Guinea Pigs are very cute, but you must be sure there are homes for them before you think of letting your animals breed. After four weeks it is imperative to separate the babies according to their sex, males and females must be caged separately, to prevent any unwanted litters. Unless you are breeding the gps for various reasons. I have included a chart of all the relevant information required.

Sexual Maturity: For Females For Males	4- 5 Weeks 8- 10 Weeks
Best Age to Breed	From12 Weeks to 6 Months
Oestrous Cycle	15-17 Days
Gestation Period	59-72 Days Approximately
Average Litter Size	2- 4 puppies
Weaning Age	3 Weeks
Retire from Breeding	At 2 years old, no later
Average Life Span	4 - 5 Years
Maximum Life Span	12 Years

We got Sophie and Leia from friends who had lots of gps. There was a few different Mummies, who had litters only a few weeks apart, but it was really funny they all had the same Daddy "Fudge", he was a lovely fudgey biscuity colour, hence his name.

Sophie looks more like her Mamma "Patch" who was a black and white Dutch gp, she has the same markings only she is tan and white, (the tan colour came from Fudge). While Leia did not look like any of her parents at all. Just thought you might be interested in this observation.

A baby Abyssinian.... Another cutie-pie baby..... Oh look 4 more lovable bambinos