Virginia Freilicher (second from left) presents her prize pack after being named one of the winners of the cavy naming contest. Also pictured (l-r): Melinda Novak, Co-Owner/Vice President, Long Island Game Farm; Virginia’s mother, Virginia Freilicher, and Virginia’s sister, Nina Freilicher.

 

August 19, 2011

Long Island Game Farm Names Winners of Cavy Naming Contest

The Long Island Game Farm has announced its winners for this year’s Patagonian cavy naming contest. This year’s winners were five-year-old Patrick Young of Islip, who named one of the cavies “Chi Chi,” and 12-year-old Virginia Freilicher of Center Moriches, who came up with “Mango” for the other cavy. Both winners received season passes and a gift pack, courtesy of Long Island Game Farm.

 

Patrick Young (second from left) holds up one of the prizes he received for being named one of the winners of the cavy naming contest. Also pictured (l-r); Melinda Novak, Co-Owner/Vice President, Long Island Game Farm, and Patrick’s parents, Patrick and Jodi Young.

On July 1, one of the Patagonian cavies gave birth to two babies at the Game Farm. The Patagonian cavy is the third largest rodent (behind the capybara and the beaver) with a height of two feet, a length of two feet and a weight of 35 pounds. It looks like a cross between a rabbit and a kangaroo, with its hind legs that are slightly larger than the front, a long face, large eyes and slightly pointed ears. It has four toes on its front feet and three on the back; all toes are equipped with a sharp claw.

The Patagonian cavy can walk on all fours, hop like a rabbit and even bounce up and down. When startled, the cavy can leap six feet straight up and can run as fast as 35 miles per hour. Native to the pampas of central and southern Argentina, the Patagonian cavy prefers arid grasslands and brushlands with plenty of open space. They communicate with each other through grunts, grumbles and screams.