Chinchilla

Chinchillas are rodents that are slightly bigger than a ground squirrel and native to the Andes Mountains in South America. Thanks to their dense and velvety fur, people have been using chinchillas for fur since the 16th century and are illegal to hunt. A chinchilla’s gestation period is 111 days. The long gestation period results in the birth of fully haired newborn chinchillas with eyes fully open. The typical litter is small, usually twins. The average lifespan for a chinchilla is 15 years.

About Chinchilla

In the wild, chinchillas live in burrows or small crevices between rocks, and are a favorite food for skunks, felines, snakes, and canines. Aside from its shelter, its only defense against predators is to spray urine and release fur.

Wild chinchillas eat insects, plants, fruit and seeds. A domestic chinchilla should fed hay, and hay pellets. Don’t feed a domesticated chinchilla what its wild cousin eats or it could result in death from bloating, diabetes and diarrhea.

A chinchilla can make a great pet. With gentle handling, a chinchilla can become tame and close with the pet owner. They are nocturnal and very active, which means they will be playing during the night. Have a large cage in a quiet room for your chinchilla to sleep during the day.

They do not like change and like to stick to a routine, so be sure to feed and play with them at the same time daily. Inside the cage have platforms and ramps to keep them active. Toys for them to chew on are imperative, if its teeth grow too long they will stop eating. Avoid cedar and pine chew toys because they find the resins toxic.

Where to Buy a Chinchilla

Buying a chinchilla can be a difficult task depending on your location. The best place to buy a chinchilla is from a professional breeder. They are knowledgeable and can provide you with a lot of information to make your chinchilla purchase carefree. If you live in an area without a nearby professional breeder, seek other chinchilla owners who have newborns for sale. These sellers usually have experience and can give you pointers. Pet stores and pet rescues are other places to look for a pet chinchilla. A pet rescue is a good option, but you can never be sure what kind of hardship the chinchilla has had to endure. Pet stores can be a careless, and may have treated the animal poorly. The best thing is to ask questions, and those who provide knowledgeable responses probably treat the animals better.

Recent Chinchilla Questions

What does a chincilla look like?

7 hr 45 min ago - Chinchillas are crepuscular rodents, slightly larger and more...
If a chinchilla has cat litter in his cage and he eats it, will it kill him?

9 hr 22 min ago - Chinchillas are crepuscular rodents, slightly larger than gro...
How much should i feed my chinchilla?

10 hr 44 min ago - Purchase Commercial chinchilla nuggets and allow the packet g...
How much does a pet chinchilla cost?

11 hr 51 min ago - Pet chinchillas start around $75, but they vary in price with...
How much does chinchilla sand cost?

11 hr 53 min ago - Chinchilla sand costs about $7.49 for a 14.4oz box. It is mad...
How long do chinchillas live?

13 hr 42 min ago - In the wild, chinchillas usually live for 8-10 years. In capt...
What human food can you feed a chinchilla?

15 hr 4 min ago - A chinchilla has a very sensitive digestive system and must e...
How much does an adult chinchilla weigh?

18 hr 5 min ago - Adult Chinchillas are about the size of a small rabbit. Their...
How do you pick up a chinchilla?

Yesterday, 12:43am - Picking up a chinchilla tales time for them get used to you.F...
What age does a chinchilla become full grown?

Yesterday, 10:46pm - Chinchillas can become sexually mature as early as 3-4 months...
What is a good name for a chinchilla?

Yesterday, 9:50pm - Is is a boy or girl? How about Abby, Achava, Acotas, Adair, A...
What is everything I need to know before I buy a Chin Chila?

Yesterday, 4:22pm - Chinchillas require extensive exercise and should have a larg...
What is the best tempered animal?

Yesterday, 10:01am - It depends on what you are looking for. Cats and dogs have th...
What kind of bedding should I use for a chinchilla?

2 days ago, 1:56am - For a chinchilla's bedding, you could try pine shavings, Care...
Do chinchillas fart?

2 days ago, 12:07am - Yes, chinchillas fart. In fact, all living things fart from t...
Can chinchillas eat carrots?

2 days ago, 2:24pm - Yes. Like rabbits, chinchillas love carrots. Be sure to give ...
How old does a chinchilla live to be?

2 days ago, 2:19pm - Chinchillas have a life span between 18-22 years. ChaCha!
Do chinchillas make good pets?

2 days ago, 12:51pm - As a whole, chinchillas make wonderful pets however, to remai...
Do people eat chinchillas?

2 days ago, 7:27am - Chinchillas are crepuscular rodents, slightly larger and more...
How to give birth to a chinchilla?

3 days ago, 12:09am - Unfortunately, a human can only give birth to a human, not a ...