music for cavies?

[pigsitter]

We're baby-sitting two guinea pigs. We discovered by accident that they coo when we make certain types of clanking, snapping, or bell noises. So, today we played a tape of Japanese taiko drumming for them, and they started cooing like there was no tomorrow.

Have you ever heard of guinea pigs responding like that before to music or sounds in their environment?

Thanks,
Chris

[mom to cujo]

My pigs both respond to the sound of keys jangling, certain animal sounds on t.v., and certain musical sounds as well.

[tashagurl]

mine do the same thing to peple knoking, sirens and dogs barking. ive heard that they some times purr when they are scared. is this tru?

[kennethlhm]

My GPs feel scare when my GF play classical song on piano (mayb too loud)

[Treen]

The 'alarm call' guinea pigs make when they're scared or unsure sounds very similar to their purr. It's much shorter than a purr would be, and their body language will tell you that they're not relaxed and happy (as they woudl be if they purred). They will be standing alert with their eyes wide open, usually with their head held high in the air while they work out whether or not there is a threat and if they need to run and hide.