Long-tailed Chinchilla

Overview

The long-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) is one of two chinchilla species and is the ancestor of all domestic pet chinchillas kept today. It is also known as the Chilean, coastal, common, or lesser chinchilla. In the wild it is sadly endangered, largely due to historical hunting for its incredibly soft coat.

Domestic chinchillas come in three recognised types - la plata, costina, and raton - each with slightly different body shapes and features. Domesticated animals tend to be larger than their wild relatives, with females sometimes reaching up to 800 g and males up to 600 g. Their natural coat colour is a mottled yellow-gray, but selective breeding has produced a wide range of colours including beige, white, ebony, sapphire, and violet.

Temperament & behaviour

Chinchillas are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. They are naturally sociable, gregarious animals that prefer living in groups, and males and females generally get along well together.

They communicate in a variety of ways - soft cooing or chirping when content, barking when alarmed, and teeth chattering when irritated or threatened. Getting to know your chinchilla's sounds is a lovely way to understand how they are feeling.

Chinchillas are also playful and curious. They enjoy rolling and playing in a dust bath, and they use their nimble forelimbs to grasp food - much like a squirrel. They are matriarchal animals, meaning females tend to take a leading social role.

Care basics

Temperature is very important for chinchillas. They do best in a dry, cool environment between 18 and 27 degrees Celsius. Temperatures above 27 degrees Celsius can be dangerous, so keep their living space well ventilated and away from direct sunlight, radiators, and warm spots in the home.

A well-balanced diet consists of high-quality grass hay, chinchilla pellets, and only limited amounts of vegetables and fruit. Chinchillas have a high need for dietary fibre, so hay should always be available. Fresh, clean water should be provided daily in a bottle fitted with a sipper tube.

Dust baths are essential - offer fine volcanic ash dust at least twice a week so your chinchilla can keep their famous coat in top condition. This is a natural behaviour they truly enjoy.

Health awareness

Chinchillas are sensitive to heat, and exposure to high temperatures can lead to heatstroke. Always be mindful of the room temperature, especially during warmer UK summers, and watch for any signs that your chinchilla seems unwell in the heat.

High humidity can also affect their coat and general wellbeing, so a dry environment is important. Their housing should never feel damp or stuffy.

As with any pet, it is worth being aware of changes in your chinchilla's behaviour, eating habits, or droppings, as these can sometimes signal that something is not quite right. If you have any concerns about your chinchilla's health, always speak to a vet with experience in small animals.

This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.

Fun facts

A chinchilla's coat is extraordinarily dense - up to 75 hairs can grow from a single hair follicle! Each hair is just 2 to 4 cm long but incredibly silky and soft to the touch.

Their whiskers are impressively long too, measuring between 100 and 130 mm - sometimes nearly as long as their whole body. These help them navigate their surroundings.

Chinchillas are born fully furred and can run almost immediately after birth - quite remarkable for such tiny newborns weighing around 35 grams. With good care, chinchillas can live on average around 10 years, and some have been known to reach 20 years old.

Source

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-tailed_chinchilla