Chinchilla

Chinchillas and their relatives viscachas are small, nocturnal mammals native to the Andes mountains in South America and belonging to the family Chinchillidae.

Chinchilla fur is considered the softest in the world and is 30 times softer than human hair. Chinchillas must regularly bathe in dust or volcanic ash to remove oil and moisture that gathers in their thick fur. In fact, they have the highest fur density of any animal on earth with more than 20,000 hairs per square cm. Their fur is so dense that skin parasites (such as fleas) cannot live on one lest they suffocate. Whereas humans grow one hair from each follicle, a chinchilla has more than 50 hairs from a single follicle.

Chinchillas as Pets

Chinchillas are unique and charming pets. In captivity they live up to 20 years, but they usually do not live for more than 10 years in countries with a climate that they are not adapted to.

Chinchillas require regular dust baths. Specially processed sand made from pumice avoids the problems of fine dust. The fur of a chinchilla should never be allowed to get wet.

Chinchillas should be kept in a large cage, about 24" x 24" x 18" per animal. If there is any possibility of a pregnancy, a sufficiently fine mesh should be used as small chinchillas are good climbers and can easily squeeze through small holes. Cages should also avoid walking surfaces made of metal fencing as chinchillas can catch a limb under the metal.

Chinchillas enjoy ledges, boxes, sticks, and other perches, as well as exercise wheels, which however must be chosen with safety in mind. In particular, exercise wheels should be large enough, and if mesh is used, the mesh must be sufficiently fine to prevent limbs or digits from being caught.

Animals of the same sex live peacefully together in a single cage with sufficient space, and a male can usually be kept with one or more females. Male chinchillas will fight each other for a mate and therefore no more than one male should be kept with a female. If living space is too small, chinchillas will become extremely territorial.

Chinchillas have special dietary requirements, so it is usually easiest to feed them specially formulated chinchilla food. Rabbit food does not meet the nutritional needs of chinchillas and frequently makes them fat. It is preferable that they have a water bottle, as water in a dish or bowl will be quickly soiled.

Cedar bedding is toxic to chinchillas and should not be used. Pine shavings are acceptable. The bedding, food, and water, should be changed at least once a week and preferably every day.

A chinchilla can become unhealthy if it does not get exercise. An exercise time in a special "chinchilla-proofed" room is optimal, as a wheel or similar exercise device in the cage is not enough. They enjoy leaping from furniture and running around. They must be watched at all times, as they can escape from even a well-prepared room. If provided with nothing else, they will chew on wood, wire (electrical or otherwise), and anything else they can find. To prevent this, items such as paper towel tubes or wooden chew toys should be provided both during the exercise time and in the cage.

Prone to excited sounds, chinchillas will also emit chirps and calls according to their mood. Over time an owner will hear a multitude of these orations--all indicating the animal's personal state. A soft cooing might indicate playfulness and comfort. Some sounds will originate from the grinding of teeth. If a chinchilla feels threatened, a high and loud bark will be heard. A last resort will involve the chinchilla standing on hind legs and emitting both a bark and a stream of urine.

Some chinchillas are prone to cuts and scratches, especially on the nose. It is important that this be dealt with quickly to avoid infection. A first-aid topical antibiotic ointment is generally the best option, though if the problem area is on the nose it is crucial that it does not block the nostrils.