Vital Statistics Scientific name Cavia porcellus Life span 3-4 years Potential life span 6-7 years Desirable environmental temperature range 65-75 F Desirable relative humidity range 40-70% (50% is considered ideal) Recommended age at 1st breeding male: 3-4 months; female: <3-7 months (not after 7 months) Length of estrous (heat) cycle 16 days Length of estrus (period during which female is receptive to male for copulation) 8 hours Gestation (pregnancy) averages 63-68 days Average litter size 3-4 young (range, 1-6) Age at weaning 3 weeks |