The eyes have it
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (354954)
Rockingham, Australia
June 2, 2025 4:15am CST
Now that we’re about to leave our house-sit where one of our duties is to look after six guinea pigs, I decided to do a bit more reading about them. I was left detailed instructions and did read more what they could and couldn’t eat but I wanted to know more about their sight, following a comment by myLotter @Ronrybs.
The white guinea pig, Lumi, has red eyes and Ron thought maybe it was an albino. None of the little pigs seem to have very good eyesight so I thought I’d do a bit more research. It seems albino guinea pigs do happen but have white skin. Lumi’s skin is black.
Guinea pigs have a 340-degree vision range but do have a blind spot right in front of their noses which would explain why they don’t always seem to see the food I put down.
The photo is of Juniper who is smooth-coated and doesn’t look like it’s having the bad hair day that the others do.
20 people like this
20 responses
@DaddyEvil (149672)
• United States
2 Jun
Herbivores do tend to have a blind spot in front of their noses. Their vision wraps around the sides of their heads so they can watch for carnivores trying to catch and eat them.
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (149672)
• United States
2 Jun
@JudyEv Very true... Mother Nature hasn't figured out how to keep humans out of car wrecks yet, though. 
4 people like this
@JudyEv (354954)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jun
@DaddyEvil No, she is slipping up there. 
2 people like this
@Ineeddentures (2692)
•
2 Jun
Juniper looks like a fine Guinea Pig
Did you know in some places people actually eat them
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (84847)
• United States
2 Jun
Juniper is a cutie and I didn't know about Guinea pigs and their eyesight.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (354954)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jun
I must ask my niece if she has noticed them hunting a bit for their food.
@AmbiePam (98789)
• United States
2 Jun
When my sister lived and taught in Missouri, a student gave her a guinea pig, but it pooped in her hand once and she gave it back. She’s not an animal person, and I always wondered why the boy’s mother didn’t run it by my sister first. Giving an animal to someone feels like it should be looked into first. Now had it been me, I would have welcome the little guy!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (354954)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Jun
I think it's really quite silly to give animals to people without checking first. The creatures might end up with a dreadful life. It's not fair on the person or the animal. I've honestly been thinking about whether I could make a yard at our home but I'm sure I'll see reason shortly and not do it. 
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (49760)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
2 Jun
Looks like she's thinking "Hmmm..."
2 people like this
@terri0824 (5151)
• United States
3 Jun
One of my granddaughters has been wanting a guinea pig...her mom has told her, "not until you do what is expected of you!." She's also been told, you will be responsible for taking care of it. I don't think she will be getting one anytime soon as she is only 8 and has a ways to go before being responsible enough to take care of it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (354954)
• Rockingham, Australia
20h
I agree. Kids beg for a pet but can often soon get tired of looking after it properly.
@wolfgirl569 (116953)
• Marion, Ohio
2 Jun
He looks like he is waiting for a treat
2 people like this
@JudyEv (354954)
• Rockingham, Australia
20h
She is, isn't she? I wish we'd been able to pet her but she was too skittish.
@GardenGerty (163911)
• United States
3 Jun
Oh, but Juniper has quite the look on his face. Lumi is maybe a polar bear? I think I read they have black skin, she is just fooling you. I like that you read up on them and even shared information with us. We are all smarter now.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (354954)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jun
I was intrigued that they couldn't seem to find their food easily. Even when I dropped peelings right in front of them, they seemed to hunt around for it.
@popciclecold (39948)
• United States
2 Jun
It's nice looking animal, you did a lot of research, good for you.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (354954)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jun
Apparently they don't fart so they shouldn't be given too much cabbage which I didn't know until I checked up on what they could and couldn't eat.
@allknowing (146634)
• India
3 Jun
Juniper looks well groomed, Sad they have that blind spot that comes in their way when it comes to spotting their food bowl.l
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (354954)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jun
They find it eventually but they dilly-dally around first.
@RasmaSandra (85574)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2 Jun
Jupiter looks surprised by something. I think the opossum that comes for my leftovers does not see well. I throw out a piece of bread and he has to sniff around to locate it,
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (124526)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Jun
Guinea pigs are popular pets here in the US. I always thought they had bad eyesight too, but your explanation clarifies the reason.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (354954)
• Rockingham, Australia
20h
You'd think it would see the food in its peripheral vision. I would drop peelings ON them so at least they'd find it quickly.
