Chinchilla Information

With the popularity of Chinchillas growing so fast, there is a growing public interest in various sorts of Chinchilla Information. Chinchillas originate in South America, in the Andes mountain range. Until recently, there were three Chinchilla subspecies – Chinchilla Brevicardata, Chinchilla Lanigera and Chinchilla Costina. The Chinchilla Costina has been exterminated, so there are only two Chinchilla subspecies left for today.

Chinchillas have long been hunted for their fine quality fur, which feels very soft and gentle to the touch. Chinchillas have a very dense coat, because there are 40-60 hairs growing from a single follicle. For this reason, Chinchilla fur is extremely valuable and therefore much hunted for. Chinchilla Information websites contain numerous referrals to the historic role of the Chinchilla fur and the environmental consequences of the booming fur industry. The drastic growth of fur industry in the 19th century impacted wild Chinchilla population and caused one of the species to disappear. Since the 1960s, Chinchillas have gained popularity as pets.

Chinchilla Lanigera and Chinchilla Brevicaudata are different in appearance, and online Chichilla Information resources contain detailed descriptions of each subspecies. The Chinchilla Lanigera has a more elongated body formation, its body length averaging 12 inches, and a longer tail than Chinchilla Brevicaudata. Lanigeras have long and rounded ears, measuring 2,8 inches long. The hair is about 1 inch long, but it is longer on the tail. The hair is usually grayish-blue on the upper side and dirty white on the underside. Chinchilla Brevicaudata is larger than Chinchilla Lanigera, its body length reaching 15 inches. It has a shorter head, shorter ears and longer hair. Hair length is irregular so Brevicaudata is less valuable as a source of fur. Chinchilla Brevicaudata has a gray or brownish upper side and lighter underside.

Chinchillas come from high up in the mountains, so they are well accustomed to harsh weather conditions. They are better off in cooler regions, and they are extremely susceptible to overheating. In the wild, Chinchillas reside in rock crevices or hollows. They feed on twigs, leaves, seeds, etc. Today, the two remaining Chinchilla species have reestablished themselves in the wild after the past centuries’ devastation. Chinchilla Information resources contain articles about measures that have been taken to prevent further destruction of Chinchilla populations.

Chinchillas can be good pets, but it takes a lot of devotion and patience to be a good Chinchilla owner. They are social animals, so they appreciate company and interaction. Chinchillas require spacious cages equipped with various toys and facilities for Chinchillas to entertain themselves. Chinchillas are fond of exploring and climbing. They should be released from the cage every day for at least 15-20 minutes. Because they like to hide, you may have a hard time finding them when it is time to put them back into the cage. Please, make sure there are no holes in your house, through which your Chinchilla may escape. Chinchilla Information websites feature articles and recommendations for prospective Chinchilla owners, so that they have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the basics of Chinchilla care and prepare themselves for difficulties.