Nowadays the popular pocket pet we know as the guinea pig can be found in homes right across the globe. But it wasn’t always this way. The story of how guinea pigs became one of the world’s favorite pets began nearly 3000 years ago in the highlands of South America. Guinea pigs originate from the Andes regions of South America. Originally domesticated as a food source over 3000 years ago they became a popular pet, especially in Europe, after arriving there on ships in the 16th century. Today they are used as pets, food & in medical & scientific research. That’s only the beginning. The plight of the humble guinea pig and it’s a centuries-long rise in popularity is almost as fascinating as the little creatures themselves. Where does the guinea pig originate from? Contrary to its name, the guinea pig does not hail from Guinea but is originally from the Andes region of South America, in what is today known as Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Columbia, Argentina, and par