Chinchilla Pets

Wild Chinchillas can be found in the Andes mountain regions in South America, and today many people have their own Chinchilla Pets, because they have proven good home companions. Chinchillas belong to the Chinchillidae family. There are two Chinchilla subspecies we know today - Chinchilla Brevicardata and Chinchilla Lanigera. These animals get their name from an ancient South American Indian tribe – Chinta. From the very beginning, they have been valuable as a source of fur, and in the end of the 19th century Chinchilla hunting extended dramatically, bringing Chinchilla populations to the brink of extinction.

Chinchilla Lanigera, compared to Chinchilla Brevicardata, has a slimmer body built. Lanigeras average 12 inches in length, and they have longer ears, measuring 2,8 inches long. Their one-inch hair is very delicate and soft, and it is more valuable than that of the Brevicardata. About 50-60 hairs grow from one follicle, and this is one reason why Chinchilla fur is so pleasant to the touch. This is also a reason why Chinchilla Pets are increasingly popular among pet lovers. The hair is usually gray on the upper side and white on the underside. Chinchilla Brevicaudata averages 15 inches in length. It has a blunter head, shorter ears and longer and shaggier hair. Chinchilla Brevicaudata has a gray upper side and lighter underside. Chinchilla Costina or King Chinchilla is one more Chinchilla species, which is today non-existent. It was much larger than the two other species, so it was often referred to as the “Giant Chinchilla.”

Chinchillas are active and intelligent creatures. They are well adapted to the rigors of wild life, and they are apt to withstand very low temperatures. They are very adept at climbing, and they are naturally curious. In the wild, Chinchillas dwell in crevices and hollows. They feed on insects, grass, seeds, leaves, etc. Chinchilla Pets require nutritious and healthy food, and it must always be fresh. Pelleted food is highly recommended. They also feed on hay, which can be obtained from a reputable farmer or food store. Chinchillas require a constant supply of water, which must be replaced every day.

Chinchillas require constant supervision and care. They are not like dogs or cats, and they do not like it when someone holds them in the arms. Chinchillas should be kept in cages equipped with various facilities to keep them busy: ladders, bars, tubes, ramps, toys, etc. A Chinchilla should not be confined all the time, and it must be taught not to accept its cage as a jail. It is recommended to let a Chinchilla outside every day for at least 15-20 minutes. Chinchillas are social animals, and you can keep two or more animals in one cage. Chinchilla Pets can be aloof with strangers and other pets.