Chinchilla

The chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger, the long-tailed chinchilla) is a small rodent famous for its silky, extremely soft coat. Domestic chinchillas are larger than wild ones, with females weighing up to 800 g and males up to 600 g.

The fur is bluish or silvery grey on top with yellowish-white underparts. It is hair rather than wool, 2-4 cm long, and up to 75 hairs grow from a single follicle. Chinchillas also have long, strong whiskers, a bristly-tipped tail, vertical split pupils, fleshy foot pads and forelimb toes that can grasp things. Their hindlimbs are longer than their forelimbs, a bit like a rabbit's.

Three domestic types are commonly recognised: la plata, costina and raton. The la plata is compact and sturdy with short, nearly round ears. The costina has longer hind legs, a more arched back and long, angled ears. The raton is built like the la plata but has a pointed nose and is distinctly smaller on average.

Chinchillas come from the Andes of northern Chile. Wild ones live in burrows or rock crevices at roughly 3,000 to 5,000 m above sea level, in a harsh climate with warm days and cold nights.

There are two wild species in the genus Chinchilla, and domestic chinchillas are believed to descend from the long-tailed one. Historically it was reported from Talca in Chile north to Peru, but by the mid-19th century it was gone from south of the Choapa River in central Chile.

Chinchillas were hunted for their luxurious coats, which left both wild species endangered. The long-tailed chinchilla has the second-highest conservation priority among Chilean mammals. Wild groups were recorded in 1996 near Illapel and at La Higuera, including in the Reserva Nacional Las Chinchillas.

Chinchillas are crepuscular, meaning most active at twilight. They are gregarious and prefer living in groups, and they are matriarchal. Males and females usually get along harmoniously and rarely fight in the breeding season.

They communicate with a range of sounds: soft cooing or chirping when content, barking when alarmed, and teeth chattering when irritated or threatened.

Chinchillas eat sitting up on their hind limbs, grabbing food with their forelimbs like a squirrel. They have a high demand for dietary fibre, and they like to play and roll in dust baths of fine volcanic ash.

Chinchillas do best in a dry, cool environment, with temperatures of about 18-27 °C considered suitable. Very high temperatures can lead to heatstroke and seizures, and high humidity may affect hair growth.

Their average lifespan is about 10 years, and some live up to 20 years in human care.

Chinchillas become adults at around 8 months old. Females carry their young for 110 to 124 days.

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

How long do chinchillas live?

The average lifespan is about 10 years. Some reach up to 20 years with human care.

When are chinchillas awake?

They are crepuscular, so they are most active during twilight hours.

Do chinchillas like company?

Yes, they are gregarious and prefer living in groups. Males and females usually have a harmonious relationship.

Do chinchillas have wool?

No. Although the name laniger means bearing a woollen coat, chinchillas have hair, not wool. It is silky, very soft and firmly attached to the skin.

What colours can chinchillas be?

Wild chinchillas were mottled yellow-grey. Selective breeding has produced dominant colours such as beige, white and ebony, and recessive ones such as sapphire, violet, charcoal and velvet.

Up to 75 hairs can grow from a single hair follicle.

Newborn chinchillas arrive with hair and can run almost straight away, weighing about 35 g.

Females can have two litters a year, of 1 to 6 babies each, and the young are nursed for about 6 to 8 weeks.

Chinchillas can use the toes on their forelimbs to grasp things, and they sit up like squirrels to eat.