The Rex is a short-haired breed whose coat is dense, woolly, and springy with no guard hairs, giving a coarse 'teddy-bear' texture and characteristically curly whiskers. It results from a recessive rex coat gene and is a hardy, low-maintenance pet and show breed.
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From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
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Minimum
Single guinea pig floor space
≈ 7.5 sq ft (1080 sq in)
Continuous ground-level floor — guinea pigs do not use vertical levels and should not be kept in tall narrow cages. They are herd animals: keeping just one is discouraged in many regions. Rex is short-curly-coated — standard guinea-pig welfare floor.
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Recommended
Pair of guinea pigs
≈ 10.5 sq ft (1500 sq in)
C&C (cubes-and-coroplast) grids make it easy to reach this. Add hides at each end, a hay rack, and separate eating/toilet zones to reduce squabbling.
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Ideal
Herd with extra roaming
13+ sq ft plus daily floor time
Generous pen for a small herd, supplemented with supervised floor time on a washable surface. More space dramatically reduces stress and boredom-related behaviours.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
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Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
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Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
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Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
House in pairs or compatible same-sex groups indoors at 18-24°C, away from drafts, damp, and direct sun. Provide at least 0.7 m² for a pair on a solid floor with paper, aspen, or fleece bedding, plus hides, a hay rack, and water. The dense short coat needs no special protection, so a standard generous cavy enclosure with daily floor time works well.
Diet
Unlimited grass hay as the staple for continuous tooth wear and gut motility, a measured daily ration of Vitamin-C-fortified guinea-pig pellets, and daily fresh leafy greens for Vitamin C. Avoid muesli-style mixes, and keep fresh water available at all times.
Behavior & temperament
Kept as a pet and show breed. Rex cavies are typically calm, friendly, and tolerant, with a plush coat that many find especially pleasant to handle — good traits for families and beginners. They are social herd animals needing cavy companions and show the usual popcorning and wheeking. The Rex coat is genetically distinct from the visually similar American Teddy, though the two look much alike.
Health
Robust with no conformational defects. The lack of guard hairs and the dense undercoat mean the skin can be a little more exposed, so monitor for mites, lice, fungal patches, and dryness. Otherwise prone to standard cavy issues: dental malocclusion, respiratory infection, bumblefoot, bladder stones, ovarian cysts, and Vitamin-C deficiency.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Low grooming — a gentle weekly brush keeps the coat tidy; avoid over-bathing, which dries the skin that the coat normally protects. Trim nails every few weeks and watch the feet for bumblefoot. The curly whiskers are normal and should never be trimmed. Weigh weekly to catch early signs of illness, as the dense coat can mask weight loss.