History of the Chinchilla
The Chinchilla is a member of the rodent family and distantly related to guinea pigs. Like guinea pigs, chinchilla's come from South America, specifically the Andean region. They were highly prized for their soft fur. In the early 1900's chinchilla's became endangered due to over hunting. Efforts were made to save the species by M. F. Chapman. Eleven chinchillas were captured from the wild and a breeding program introduced. At these fur farms the chinchillas adjusted to lower altitudes and were then shipped over to California. By the 1960's interest in chinchillas was growing and they entered into the pet trade.
Basic Characteristics
The chinchilla is a small, herbivorous mammal and member of the rodent family. It is crepuscular, meaning it's most active at dawn and dusk.
Chinchilla Fun Facts!
Chinchillas have the softest fur of any mammal. They have 50-80 hairs growing from a single follicle. No external parasite can survive in this fur.
Chinchillas see with their whiskers. Chinchillas have very poor eyesight and use their long whiskers to navigate the world around them.
Chinchillas take dust baths. Their fur is too dense for a water bath so they roll around in dust to stay clean instead.
Chinchillas can have fur slips. A chinchilla can lose a large portion of their fur in one go. This is caused by stress and can take up to six months to regrow.
Chinchillas see with their whiskers. Chinchillas have very poor eyesight and use their long whiskers to navigate the world around them.
Chinchillas take dust baths. Their fur is too dense for a water bath so they roll around in dust to stay clean instead.
Chinchillas can have fur slips. A chinchilla can lose a large portion of their fur in one go. This is caused by stress and can take up to six months to regrow.