About Squeaking, And Another Thing

[Sue and Smartie]

This might be a bit long.
When I had Pedro & Panda, Pedro was the vocal one, the first to come for food. Panda would hang back a bit.
Then it was Panda with the girls, and Panda was the one who squeaked the loudest (and he was VERY loud!).
Now Panda has gone and it appears to be Geraldine who is taking over the talking. Last night she tried a loud wheeking session; it was not entirely successful but I expect with some practice she will raise her volume consistently.

It made me wonder a bit, about herd behaviour. I don't know much about it in guinea pigs but I know with horses there is 'status' within a group and they will take various roles which benefit the group as a whole. Is it the same with pigs? Is there always a leader, and followers? If that is the case, it would explain the changes in behaviour, as the group changes.

Here's the second thing.
Tufty loved Panda absolutely and I know she is missing him. She too has showed different behaviour but I have only seen this once. When I approached with their late-night piggy treats yesterday, she was on top of the tunnel, standing up against the wire and begging as usual.
When I got closer I could see her mouthing at me - that is, opening and closing her mouth repeatedly. I've not seen this before and I don't know what it means.
Does anyone here have any ideas?

 

[Wiebke]

Guinea pigs have a strict group hierarchy, and they define themselves first and foremost by being a member of a certain group. It is the sows that associate themselves with a boar of their choice. They have a good memory and will recognise old companions living in another group at some point, but firstly, they will treat them as a stranger "Not Us" pigson. Recent research into guinea pigs (which have far too long been considered to uninteresting and boring for that) has found that their social behaviour is far more complex than anticipated. In the case of the death of a leader, the hierarchy has to be re-established.

In my experience with having groups over a number of years now, there is also one big food wheeker - often the newest addition. Older piggies can lose their "big wheek" and not get it out anymore or only have a hoarse whisper left. That seems to be the case with yours.

You may find these threads here interesting and helpful:
Guinea Pig Facts - A Short Overview
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language (You can call it a spot of "guinea pig whispering if you wish!)
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig