I, personally, think that guinea pigs are not a part of the rodent family. Mainly because their pups are born with hair, and with the eyes open. According to this page, "The Guinea Pig Mystery," there is even scientific data that backs up the claim. But the same data (or lack thereof) is its downfall. Other scientists say there needs to be more indepth research, or in other words, comparisons of more than guinea pigs to rats and mice. Admittedly, that is a serious drawback, but I still say guinea pigs (and capybaras ^_~ but to a lesser degree) are not rodents.
last modified 27 Jan, 2003