In Peru they are a food staple… So not totally useless.
Being delicious food is a competitive advantage; just ask fruit. Domesticated farm animals in general are really nice. I grew up in a time and place of family farms, where animals were given a good life from people who cared, before becoming delicious food.
If guinea pigs had no advantages, they wouldn’t have survived.
They never saw Guinea Pigs multiply uncontrolably… they have advantages…
How many guinea pigs would it take to win against one tiger in a fight, assuming the guinea pigs had the appropriate bloodlust?
Together, as a herd, Guinea Pigs have camouflage from an aerial view. On a farm they will graze together and listen for any alerts from other animals like hens and run for cover. They can survive when given shelter overnight in a barn. (https://youtu.be/ZvAjGHbJ7TI)
Don’t underestimate cuteness as an advantage.
