About Cavia tschudii Fitzinger, 1857
The montane guinea pig (Cavia tschudii Fitzinger, 1857) is a medium-sized rodent, reaching a total length of 247 mm (9.7 in). Its fur colour varies across its geographic range. In Peru, the dorsal fur is dark reddish-brown mixed with black, and the underparts are dark buffy-grey. In Chile, the dorsal surface is pale agouti brown with paler underparts. In Bolivia, the upper parts are agouti olive, and the underparts are creamy-white or white. This species is native to the high Andes of South America. Its range extends from Peru southward to the Tarapacá Region of Chile and the Tucumán Province of Argentina, and it occurs at altitudes between 2,000 and 3,800 metres (6,600 to 12,500 ft) above sea level. It inhabits moist areas with rocks and coarse vegetation, where it creates runways through the foliage. In Argentina, it lives in burrows that have multiple entrances.
