lorax

Tog, they are the very same Cuy that are purchased in pet-stores outside of the Incan Empire. Maybe ours are a bit bigger, but then again, we feed them well. It's customary, if you're living in a traditional highlands house (ie an adobe construction with dirt floors) to keep two or three Cuy in the kitchen to keep it clean. You just throw your compost to them, and they snaffle up everything right down to breadcrumbs. Sweep once a day for the kakitos, and you're good. They're better than vaccuums.

Next time I'm at the free market, I'll grab a pic of the live Cuy for sale. A full-grown 5-pound Cuy costs about $7 at current prices. They're right next to the bunnies and the ducklings in the live-animals section of the market; the guy who sells them sometimes also has turkeys.