Why do guinea pigs have bad eye sight?

Guinea pigs actually don't have bad eyesight! They are nearsighted, meaning they can see things clearly up close but have difficulty seeing things far away.

Here's a bit more detail:

* Nearsightedness (Myopia): This is a common condition in humans and other animals. It occurs when the eye is too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This results in blurry vision for distant objects.

* Guinea Pigs' Vision: Guinea pigs have evolved to rely more on their sense of smell and hearing than sight. Their eyes are adapted for close-up vision, allowing them to easily navigate their immediate surroundings and find food.

* Adaptation: This nearsightedness is not necessarily a disadvantage. It allows guinea pigs to focus on the details of their environment, which is crucial for finding food and detecting predators.

So, while guinea pigs might not see things far away as clearly as some other animals, they have excellent close-up vision, which is perfectly suited to their needs.