The chinchilla's original habitat is in the cool, dry atmosphere of the Andes Mountains in South America (Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina).

Standard adult chinchillas weigh around one and a half pounds (450 grams). Their head and body are a total of about 9-11 inches (25-28 centimeters) long and their tail is about 7-8 inches (17 centimeters) long.

All chinchilla types live approximately 15 years, but some have been known to live over 20 years.

For those with allergies, chinchillas are great pets, because they don't have any dander and they are odorless. Also, because their fur is dense and full of lanolin, fleas do not infest them.

The reason their fur is so lush and thick is that they have as many as eighty (80) hairs for each follicle. Sadly, that is why their fur has been so popular for coat manufacturing and that the wild Chins are now on the endangered species list.

Chinchillas are NOT loners, in the wild they are part of colonies that grow to an average of twenty members and they recognize each other by their scent.

One of the healthy aspects of chinchilla socialization is their mutual grooming and cleaning, this interaction brings them great pleasure and contentment. To keep your chinchilla happiest it is important for them to have at least one companion.

Chinchillas are nocturnal creatures, but you can still play with them during the day. They are curious and active (love their wheels!) and will run, hop, and ricochet off of walls.

Chinchillas need to grind down their constantly growing teeth. Make sure you have pine wood shelves, houses, and tunnels for them to chew. Chew Blocks are NOT as effective.

Chinchillas are sensitive to smells and sounds around them. It is important to keep their environment clean and to not play loud music or to make sudden or loud noises around them, as this may startle and upset them. Strong perfumes or cleaners in or around their cage can cause them distress and discomfort.

Chinchillas become sexually mature at around eight months. Their gestation period is around 111 days. The domestic chinchilla gives birth to an average of two babies a year.

Their sexual organs are on the exterior of their bodies and it is easy to differentiate between males and females. Their sex is determined by the size of the space between the anus and the genitals.

Males have a space between their anuses and their penis and females have no space between the vagina and anus.

Since chinchilla's natural habitat is dry, arid, and sandy and they do not use water to bathe. Instead they have great fun rolling around in volcanic ash found in their natural habitat.

Much to the amusement and delight of their owners domestic chinchillas love to play and roll in pans of dust. We recommend that they have the chance to dust once a day. But, two times a week is the absolute minimum. Also, make sure dust bowls are large enough (at least 12 inches) for them to stretch and roll in.

Habitat:

The area of the Andes that the chinchilla comes from is a semi-desert biome with only two types of seasons: a dry hot one and a mild wet one. The area is dotted with flora such as cacti and other succulents.

For their homes, chinchillas tunnel burrows in a plant called Puya Berteroniana, which is a succulent bromiliad. Or they wiggle into narrow crevices in rocky clumps.

Diet:

They are vegetarians and in the wild their diet consists of: roots, bulbs, and mosses.

Predators: