Guinea pigs are often seen as small, quiet pets that require minimal care – but did you know there's more to them than meets the eye? From their social needs to their sensitive ears, these furry friends have a lot of unusual traits!

Swipe for 7 facts about guinea pigs that might surprise you.

They enjoy spending time with other Guinea pigs, but they can also become quite attached to their human companions. Most Guinea pigs love being cuddled and will even learn your name if you give them enough time & attention.

Some Guinea Pigs can grow up to a foot in length – making them larger than some cats and dogs. It’s important to get an appropriate-sized cage for your new companion so it has plenty of room to move around.

Even though Guinea pigs were domesticated centuries go, they still exhibit many wild behaviors such as running away when scared or digging tunnels underneath cages and furniture. Make sure any escape routes are blocked off before bringing one home.

Unlike most mammal species, male guinea pigs don't produce testosterone which makes them very docile creatures that don't display aggression towards each other. It is perfectly safe to keep several male Guinea pigs in the same enclosure without fear of fights breaking out.

Guinea pig teeth never stop growing so it's important that they have plenty of chew toys. Otherwise, they may start gnawing on furniture or other items to help keep their teeth in check.

While Guinea pigs come in a variety of coat colors and lengths, they all require regular grooming sessions in order to stay clean and healthy. Regular brushing can help cut down on the amount of loose hair you’ll find during shedding season.

Certain human sounds, like whistling, can actually cause pain in guinea pigs. That’s why it’s important not to make any sharp, or high-pitched noises near any active little piggies – you could potentially hurt their sensitive ears.zz