A Comparative Analysis of the Hamster and the

Guinea Pig By:

Taylor

A Comparative Analysis of

the Hamster and the Guinea

Pig In my science class, we are studying “living systems.” I decided to do my research on Hamsters and Guinea Pigs. I found that Guinea Pigs and Hamsters are alike in many ways. They are also different in many ways too.

Hamsters and Guinea Pigs are alike in many ways. Both animals have the same systems, (integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine, immune, and reproductive.) Their looks are very similar as well. Both animals often have a white, black, brown, tan or cinnamon colored fur coat. The biggest similarity of all is both animals are very common house pets.

Both animals are different in many ways too. A Guinea Pig lives for 6-7 years while a Hamster only lives for 2-3 years. A Guinea Pig eats hay and grass while a Hamster eats seed, nuts, and berries. A Guinea Pig is found on the grassy plains in South America. A Hamster is found on the sand dunes in east Asia. A Guinea Pig has to go to the vet about once a year but a hamster doesn’t have to. A Hamster has the ability to run backwards but this is very impossible for a Guinea Pig to do.

Both animals are unique in their very own special way. While the Guinea Pig and Hamster look alike, their differences come from the continent the are from and how they have adapted to their natural habitats.

Credits

• "Sheppard Software: Fun Free Online Learning Games and Activities for Kids." Guinea Pigs. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. <http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/>.

• "Sheppard Software: Fun Free Online Learning Games and Activities for Kids." Hamsters. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. <http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/>.

• "GetBodySmart: Interactive Tutorials and Quizzes On Human Anatomy and Physiology." GetBodySmart: Interactive Tutorials and Quizzes On Human Anatomy and Physiology. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2012. <http://www.getbodysmart.com/>.

• "Hamsters." A-z Animals.com. Open Crypt Membership Software, n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2012. <www.a-zanimals.com/animals/hamsters>.

• "Guinea Pigs." ANIMAL BYTES - Kingdom Animalia. Seaworld, n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2012. <http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-bytes/animalia>.