This race is said to be slightly smaller than the nominate subspecies to the East. These are highly social animals. This South American endemic is a close relative of the domestic Guinea Pig (C. porcellus), the true ancestor of which is unclear. Current thinking is that C. porcellus was probably domesticated from the Montane Guinea Pig (C. tschudii).
Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LX5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter)