Meet Randy, the guinea pig who fathered 400+ babies after breaking into female enclosure

Image Credit: AI-generated image for representation

He was meant to enjoy a quiet life in a male-only enclosure, but Randy, a mischievous guinea pig from Warwickshire, UK, had other plans. In one of the most amusing animal stories ever recorded, this tiny rodent reportedly fathered more than 400 babies after sneaking into a pen with over 100 females at Hatton Adventure World back in 2014.

More than a decade later, Randy’s escapade continues to resurface online, gaining fresh fame thanks to recent UK media reports and a viral Instagram post.

How It All Happened

Zookeepers first noticed something strange when they spotted a noticeably underweight guinea pig among the females. A closer look revealed that the culprit was not one of the girls at all, it was Randy, a male who had clearly been “busy.” Staff believe a visitor may have accidentally placed him back into the wrong enclosure, allowing him several weeks of uninterrupted company with his female counterparts.

A Record-Breaking Rodent

Guinea pigs, or cavies, are naturally social and prolific breeders. Females can become pregnant as early as 4 to 8 weeks old and go into heat roughly every 16 days, remaining receptive for just a few hours each cycle. With pregnancies lasting around two months and litters averaging two to five pups, it’s easy to see how Randy’s time in the female enclosure turned into a baby boom.

Nature’s Overachievers

Newborn guinea pigs are surprisingly independent, born with fur, open eyes, and even tiny teeth. Within hours, they can move around and begin nibbling solid food, though mother’s milk remains crucial early on. If a mother abandons her pups, others often step in to foster them, ensuring high survival rates.

The Legend Lives On

While Randy’s adventure dates back more than ten years, his story has taken on a life of its own, retold across social media as a mix of humor and awe. What began as an innocent mix-up became one of the most talked-about tales in the animal world, a reminder that sometimes, nature finds its own way to make headlines.