
A ridgeback guinea pig is set apart from other guinea pigs by a ridge of hair that runs down on their back from the neck to the rump. Moreover, these small and bubbly cavies have smooth and short coats throughout their body. Along the spine on their back, their hair stands up as in a ridge, roughly an inch high, which is where the name comes from. Aside from their ridgeback, these cavies have bright eyes, somewhat large and drooping ears, and a slightly curving head.
Ridgebacks can come in agouti (flecked appearance with two different shades of fur creating a banding effect) or argente (ticked pattern all over except on the body which has a solid color matching some of the hair tips) colors. In some cases, your cavy might have some brindling or a dilution/mixing in the fur colors, like for non-show-bred Ridgebacks.
Ridgebacks are quite affectionate and will benefit from lots of human interaction, delicate handling, and lots of space for exercise. Fun fact, guinea pigs are not related to pigs or are native animals in Guinea.
Your veterinarian Omaha, NE is a valuable resource when it comes to your pet’s health and needs. Schedule an appointment today!