Pest Library

Characteristics

An adult chinchilla weighs 18 to 30 ounces, and has a body length of 12 to 13 inches. Its fur is considered the softest fur in the world and can be found in a variety of colors. Wild chinchilla’s original standard color is mottled yellow-gray. But, because of selective breeding, this animal can now be found in colors such as blue-gray, ebony, black velvet, beige, white, silver, and so on.

Habitat

This creature lives in burrows that they create on cracks and crevices. Today, the only place where wild chinchillas are found, is in Chile. Efforts are now being made to save this species. Farms are created for them, and some even make them as pets.

Behavior

Chinchillas are nocturnal rodents. While they may be active at night, they may still find it difficult to navigate in the dark. To be able to move comfortably and safely at night, they will use their whiskers to determine if the way that they are going is safe or not.

Chinchillas also use different vocalization to create warnings, alert dangers, and show anger. They will use their vocalization when mating. Females are said to be more dominant than male.

Wild chinchillas live in groups or herds. They are known to be social and will have a system to defend themselves against predators. When the rest of the colony comes out at night to find food and play, they will assign a look out to cry out if it finds danger.

Food

The chinchilla is a herbivore or a plant eating animal that eats herbs, grasses, berries, and any vegetation that is near their territory. When eating, they will sit up and will use their front paws to eat.

Life Cycle

During their mating season, which happens biannually, a male chinchilla can mate with five to six different females. The gestation period of the pregnant female last for 128 days and may have 1 to 2 young per litter. Females may produce 1 to 2 litters per year. Once the young is born, it is able to eat plant immediately. The young chinchilla already has its silky fur, teeth and eyesight. This creature can live for 8 to 10 years in the wild, but has a longer lifespan of 15 to 20 years when in proper captivity.

Other Information and Tips

The chinchillas are part of the endangered species. They have long been hunted for their fur, and now their numbers have greatly declined. Although efforts have been made to conserve this animal, there are still a lot of hunters who risk doing this illegal activity because of the price for chinchillas.

These days, chinchillas can be bred in farms or they can also be made as pets. Although it may be interesting to have a chinchilla pet, but it is necessary to know more about this exotic animal before taking one home.