Cavy

Cavy, the common name of five genera of rodents native to South America. The members of four genera have rounded bodies with large heads and short ears and limbs; the members of the fifth genus have rabbitlike bodies with small heads and long limbs and ears. Cavies are from 8 to 30 inches (20 to 75 cm) long and weigh from 18 to 53 ounces (500 to l,500 g).

Cavies form the family Caviidae of the order Rodentia.