Do you wish to keep a chinchilla as a pet, but are hesitating just because you don’t know if they are nocturnal, make too many noises at night, and have other doubts?Chinchillas are believed to be rodents that are a cross between the Chinchilla chinchilla and Chinchilla lanigera. ‘Chinchilla chinchilla’ and ‘Chinchilla lanigera’ are two commonly known species.But the truth is that chinchillas are crepuscular meaning that chinchillas sleep during the day and night but are active at dawn and dusk. Chinchillas belong to the family of rodents, the same as rats and ground squirrels. Chinchillas are herbivores native to the Andes mountain ranges in South America. Nowadays they are gaining much popularity as pets as they are fun. They have a short body covered with fur, a large head with big ears which are generally hairless, short feet, delicate limbs, and a long fluffy tail. Adult females are usually larger than males. They weigh between 0.9 to 1.8 lb (400 to 800 g). They have a life span of 20 years. Chinchillas are famous for their fur. They have a lot of furs that cover all of their body. Their fur, in fact, is one of the densest on the planet. They possess up to 60 hairs per hair follicle, giving them a thick and very soft coat. Due to this, chinchillas were poached at an alarming rate that led to the extinction of one species and endangered the other two. Today, it is illegal to hunt them in the wild and the government is working hard for their protection in the wild.After reading all about when do chinchillas sleep and are chinchillas nocturnal, read about what do chinchillas eat and why do chinchillas take dust baths?What does crepuscular mean?Crepuscular is drawn from the Latin word ‘crepusculum’ which generally means of or resembling twilight. In terms of zoology, it refers to an animal or species active at or around dusk, dawn, or twilight. Crepuscular animals are active mainly during the twilight period. They have a separate category and are different and distinct from diurnal and nocturnal animals.When it comes to chinchillas, they are actually not nocturnal, they are crepuscular, meaning they are at their most active during dawn and dusk. But don’t be surprised if your pet chinchilla is making some noises at night, as chinchillas can be extremely noisy at night.Although crepuscular animals are mainly active at twilight, dawn and dusk, some of them can remain active during a dark cloudy day without the sun or at night with bright moonlight, full moon, or a new moon. That means the distinction between the crepuscular, the diurnal, and the nocturnal animals is not quite accurate or absolute. In fact, many animals which are usually termed nocturnal are mostly crepuscular animals.These animals have these patterns because of the large predator activities in new areas and their lack of tolerance of the weather conditions or the temperature during the day or late night. Since most of the predators hunt at night and many of them even in the daytime, many animal species adapt crepuscular habits to keep themselves and their population safe from danger. Also in areas like vast deserts where the day is too hot, and the nights are relatively colder this crepuscular habit helps them to avoid unnecessary heat or cold and adjust to the favorable temperatures.Why are chinchillas crepuscular and not nocturnal?While crepuscular animals are the animals that are active during twilight, the nocturnal animals are those mainly active during the nighttime and asleep during the day. And as we have mentioned before though these two are distinct categories most of the time we are not clear as to which species should be put under which category.Many people say that since the chinchillas are active during the night, they should be categorized under nocturnal species, however, this is not perfectly true. Many animals which are believed to be nocturnal by most of us, are actually crepuscular, this may include stray dogs, owls, hamsters, rabbits, ferrets, jaguars, bears, mice, foxes, hyenas, and even the chinchillas! While they are mostly active during the night, they can be found active at daylight hours as well. They don’t usually like to be disturbed in the daytime, this sure makes them less favorable as pets to many people who don’t entertain this idea. The twilight during dawn and dusk poses a challenge for diurnal and nocturnal predators, making the hours of dusk and dawn safe for chinchillas as it is difficult for predators to notice these prey animals.Are chinchillas noisy at night?In addition to the early morning, chinchillas are typically active at night. So the simple answer to that question is a ‘yes’. Nocturnal chinchillas can be noisy at night like hamsters. But this doesn’t mean it is natural as there can be many reasons for them to make noise at night.Most of the time, chinchillas make noise when they are excited, upset, or scared. They grind their teeth when happy, and bark loudly or chatter their teeth to give a sign of warning. They make spitting noises when angry. They will squeak continuously to show their excitement. Usually, when they scream loudly it means they are in pain or great distress. Since they belong to the family of rodents, it’s quite natural for them to make squeaking or similar sounds, but now even if you’re asleep in your bedroom you’ll notice the difference between them!What do chinchillas do during peak activity hours?Chinchillas are basically crepuscular animals. So they will sleep for almost the whole day. They love to play with toys and rest. Chinchillas tend to eat a lot of food during these hours, so make sure you keep high-quality food pellets in their cage along with the exercise wheel.But as soon as dusk arrives, they get active. In fact, they are mainly active in the evening time. The evening can be regarded as their peak activity hours. In the wild, wild chinchillas live in groups called herds. Wild chinchillas are pretty social and healthy animals. These animals burrow underground tunnels, run up and down the rocks ledges. Additionally, they chew on roots and softwoods too. But in captivity, you should make sure they utilize their time wisely.During this time they are most active and you must let them out of their cage (only if you can catch them again gently and they start trusting you enough). This type of exercise will help to keep it healthy. It is important for them to exercise regularly and rest enough. You can also provide them with wooden toys, wheels, or hanging chew balls which will also take care of their dental health.What is a normal chinchilla sleep schedule?A normal sleep schedule for an animal would basically depend on its region of habitat. And also the schedules of its predators or any external factor like dust, sunlight, or the outside temperature.Since chinchillas are crepuscular species, they remain active at night. But it doesn’t mean they are nocturnal and you can’t find them active during the day. Chinchillas typically sleep with their eyes open. They sleep for anywhere between 12 - 16 hours every day. Although many of them are mostly active at night, most chinchillas can also be found active during daylight hours. Chinchillas are playful creatures that like to sleep, as such a hammock is a good option to provide them the required comfort while sleeping as well as protection from light. So, a hammock will be a good addition to the life of your chinchilla.Can I transition my chinchilla to a diurnal schedule?Chinchillas are typically active at dusk or active at dawn. The reason for this is simple- they’re not fully nocturnal, they are crepuscular, meaning their peak activity periods are dawn and dusk. In the morning, when you are either getting ready for your work or school or you’re still sleeping, or at dusk, would be the best time to play or accompany your pet chinchilla.But that doesn’t mean it can’t be changed. You can very well change the sleeping habits or some other behavior or the active habits of your pet. Chinchilla prefers a consistent routine. So if you have a special room with a controlled climate, cool temperature and lighting, and also if you engage your chinchilla to play with you during the daytime, all this will definitely keep it quieter at night. That is the best you can do, including affecting their sleeping habits, other behavior but you still can’t fully transform your pet into a diurnal.Chinchillas are small herbivores native to South America. Although they are relatively small, their body can grow up to 10-15 in (25-38 cm), and their height is about 5-6 in (13-15 cm). They measure between 8-10 in (20-35 cm). They have a very thick and fluffy tail with varying lengths. Their body is covered in thick dense fur with colors that may vary. Their fur is one of the densest on the planet. Their heads can be bigger or smaller depending on their genetic origins. They are usually nocturnal so they have big round eyes and large hairless ears.The domestic chinchilla belongs to the ‘Chinchilla lanigera’ species and is available in dark and white colors. Presently chinchillas are very popular as pets due to their cute looks and their extra soft body coated with delicate fur. Chinchillas are very timid and reasonably fragile creatures. They are also prone to depression. They are very delicate and require a good amount of care. They are very active, playful, and are friendly in behavior, and will get attached to you soon. But also, they are very fickle and shy creatures and don’t like to be held. Their diet requires a lot of roughage and their digestive system is very sensitive to any diet change. They don’t require a large space and you can easily keep them in a room with a nest box made of wood or a large cage in a quieter and cooler area of your house.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for are chinchillas nocturnal then why not take a look at are chinchillas good pets, or chinchilla facts.
Do you wish to keep a chinchilla as a pet, but are hesitating just because you don’t know if they are nocturnal, make too many noises at night, and have other doubts?
