The Alcotroll
Junior Guinea Pig
I'm familiar with the purring sound as an expression of comfort (when being stroked) and discomfort (when hearing an unfamiliar sound). It's a regular feature when I stroke my girls on the upper back, or when I jangle a teaspoon in a teacup.
But what about a Guinea pig who makes a purring sound when she's in a hiding place- and not just once, but over and over again? Is she happy to be in cover, or is she still frightened despite the comfort of a roof over head?
For background, I've got four Guinea Pigs, two of which are class pets in a Primary school, though they come home with me most evenings and weekends. The other two are my own, because I couldn't resist giving the other two some company during the holidays. I've had them since January, and both are still quite shy and skittish, although liberal use of parsley is bringing them around. Morgan in particular is a squealer, who dislikes being touched and protests loudly if a hand even comes close to her. She's the one who'll sit in a tube, box or flex-log hidey and purr to herself. She's been doing it for ages, and its finally occurred to me to ask on here if anyone else has seen this sort of thing.
But what about a Guinea pig who makes a purring sound when she's in a hiding place- and not just once, but over and over again? Is she happy to be in cover, or is she still frightened despite the comfort of a roof over head?
For background, I've got four Guinea Pigs, two of which are class pets in a Primary school, though they come home with me most evenings and weekends. The other two are my own, because I couldn't resist giving the other two some company during the holidays. I've had them since January, and both are still quite shy and skittish, although liberal use of parsley is bringing them around. Morgan in particular is a squealer, who dislikes being touched and protests loudly if a hand even comes close to her. She's the one who'll sit in a tube, box or flex-log hidey and purr to herself. She's been doing it for ages, and its finally occurred to me to ask on here if anyone else has seen this sort of thing.
