<P> The domestic guinea pig plays an important role in folk culture for many indigenous South American groups, especially as a food source, but also in folk medicine and in community religious ceremonies . Guinea pigs are a culinary staple in the Andes Mountains, where they are known as cuy, a name also given to large animals, the result of a breeding program, that ended up in southern California . Since the 1960s, efforts have been made to increase consumption of the animal outside South America . </P> <P> In Western societies, the domestic guinea pig has enjoyed widespread popularity as a household pet, a type of pocket pet, ever since its introduction by European traders in the 16th century . Their docile nature; friendly, even affectionate responsiveness to handling and feeding; and the relative ease of caring for them continue to make guinea pigs a popular choice of pet . Organizations devoted to competitive breeding of guinea pigs have been formed worldwide, and many specialized breeds with varying coat colors and textures are selected by breeders . </P> <P> Biological experimentation on guinea pigs has been carried out since the 17th century . The animals were frequently used as model organisms in the 19th and 20th centuries, resulting in the common epithet "guinea pig" for a test subject, but have since been largely replaced by other rodents such as mice and rats . They are still used in research, primarily as models for human medical conditions such as juvenile diabetes, tuberculosis, scurvy, and pregnancy complications . </P> <P> The scientific name of the common species is Cavia porcellus, with porcellus being Latin for "little pig". Cavia is New Latin; it is derived from cabiai, the animal's name in the language of the Galibi tribes once native to French Guiana . Cabiai may be an adaptation of the Portuguese çavia (now savia), which is itself derived from the Tupi word saujá, meaning rat . Guinea pigs are called quwi or jaca in Quechua and cuy or cuyo (plural cuyes, cuyos) in the Spanish of Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia . Ironically, breeders tend to use the more formal "cavy" to describe the animal, while in scientific and laboratory contexts, it is far more commonly referred to by the more colloquial "guinea pig". </P>

What do we call guinea pig in hindi