The chinchilla is one of the most fascinating rodents on the planet.Chinchillas are all members of the weasel family or the rodent family Chinchillidae. They are extremely sociable, dwelling in family units that can grow to be large colonies of above 100 individuals, called herds.The word ‘Chinchilla’ comes from the Chincha people of the Andes and means ‘Little Chincha.’ They hunted chinchillas for their soft, dense fur. Chinchilla fur has 60 hairs per hair follicle, and its soft fur is one of the densest of any other animal. The wild populations of chinchillas are quickly declining. They are typically no more than 1 ft (0.3 m) in length, including the tail. It has a slim body and a tail that can be up to a third of its overall size. The tail adds another 3-6 in (8-15 cm) to their overall body length, making these charming tiny animals 9-15 in (23-38 cm) long. They have strong necks and shoulders.The long-tailed chinchilla or Chilean chinchilla lanigera and the short-tailed chinchilla are the two species of chinchilla. There isn’t much difference between the two chinchilla species. The long-tailed chinchilla is the type most commonly known as a “chinchilla.” Both are categorized as Endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as their populations continue to deteriorate despite recent conservation efforts. C. lanigera is the species most commonly owned as a pet.Male chinchillas, unlike other rodents, assist in the rearing of young if necessary. If a mother cannot care for her young on her own, another female may come to her aid and feed them. Female chinchillas go through an estrous cycle that lasts 30 to 50 days. Compared to other rodents, the female gestation period is lengthy, lasting roughly 111 days.Females have two offspring per year, each with two to three young. Between May and November, the breeding season takes place. Females are unusually hostile during the breeding season against each other and toward males. After a four-month gestation period, females give birth. At birth, the offspring, known as kits, are fully developed. They are born with eyes open, are fully furred, and weigh about 0.066 lb (0.035 kg) each. For six to eight weeks, mothers nurse and care for their children. Around the age of eight months, juveniles reach sexual maturity. The average litter size is one to six youngsters, called Kits. These groups of infants are called litters.Try reading our other related articles on are chinchillas nocturnal, or do chinchillas bite here on Kidadl?How many chinchillas are left in the wild?Chinchillas like to sleep in enclosed areas and like to rest in calm and quiet places. They inhabit the stony Andes Mountain slopes at heights ranging from 9,000-15,000 ft (2732-4572 m). The terrain is desert, with little flora and a lot of rock.The IUCN lists chinchillas as a vulnerable species because of habitat loss caused by burning and harvesting the algarobilla plant at lower elevations. There are estimated to be only 10,000 ones in the Chilean mountains. Chinchillas are protected by law; yet, it is hard to tackle hunting in the Andes’ inaccessible mountain ranges, and unlawful hunting persists in some locations. Humans must intervene and take conservation measures to avoid extinction in the wild. However, chinchilla breeding in captivity continues to be effective, and hundreds of chinchillas are bred for pets every year. A chinchilla’s typical life span is ten years, while some live up to eighteen years.The animal cleans their fur automatically. Chinchillas take dust baths a few times a week, in which they roll around in specific dust or volcanic ash; they do not bathe in water. Their dense, soft fur protects them from parasites like fleas and decreases dandruff. Chinchillas are often kept in large cages with plenty of bedding, hiding spots, food, and water bowls. Their diet is seasonal, with perennial Chilean needle grass being the most prevalent food.Do chinchillas live in Africa?Chinchilla is a handsome animal. The body appears heavy, yet it is primarily fluffy fur, concealing a fantastic athlete’s physique. Chinchillas are exclusively vegetarians that eat a range of plants and plant matter, focusing on seeds and grass. Chinchillas eat by sitting straight on their hind legs and gripping their food in their front paws.Chinchillas used to be found along South America’s western coast, but they’re now mostly restricted to Bolivia, Peru, and Chile. They do not live in Africa.Chinchillas have had millions of years of evolution to develop their dense, velvety, luscious fur in resistance to the harsh Andes Mountains of South America. Chinchillas were hunted and kept as pets by the ancient Incan Empire. Chinchilla fur and its commercial hunting began in earnest in northern Chile around 1828. All chinchillas were hunted and caught, but the C. chinchilla was particularly prized for its superior soft fur and bigger size. Chinchillas are most active at sunrise or sunset and sleep during the day. Burrowing through underground tunnels or nesting in rock crevasses, they create their homes like other rodents. They are very interactive and live in colonies that include hundreds of chinchillas.Habitat Of The ChinchillaThey live in burrows and rock crevices which are Chinchillas’ preferred habitats. They also live in bleak, arid alpine environments between 9842-16404 ft (3,000-5,000 m) above sea level.In South America, the Andes mountains are their native place. Small insects, seeds, fruits, and plant leaves have been known to be the diet of wild chinchillas. Chinchillas are opportunistic feeders, which means their diet includes plants and meat. Grass and seeds are their primary sources of nutrition.Distribution Of The ChinchillaChinchillas lived along the coasts, in the hills, and the mountains of Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia.Overexploitation resulted in a reduction in these populations. Five years of fieldwork in Argentina’s Jujuy Province (published in 2007) yielded no results. Although the species is thought to be extinct in Bolivia and Peru, one specimen discovered may be from a local population. Almost every pet chinchilla in the United States today is a direct ancestor of the 11 chinchillas transported to the country by Chapman.Chinchilla And Human InteractionNative to the Andes, Chinchillas were hunted nearly to the disappearance. The pet chinchilla is evolved from Chinchilla lanigera, or the long-tailed Chinchilla, which became more abundant in the wild when the other species, Chinchilla chinchilla, or the short-tailed Chinchilla, was nearly extinct. Domestic chinchillas have slimmer bodies, longer tails, and more prominent ears as a result of this.Chinchillas are popular pets, but they require a lot of exercise and dental care because their teeth develop continuously throughout their life span, and they can’t sweat, so they need a temperature-controlled habitat. Unlike dogs and other pets, they do not require a snuggle or cuddle from their owners, but they do, in time, form strong bonds with humans and enjoy spending time with them.Chinchilla SanctuariesVarious sanctuaries in south America conserve chinchillas.The Tulsa Zoo contributes to conserving wild chinchillas in central Chile by restoring their habitat. Excessive hunting has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of wild chinchillas. Hunting is now prohibited, and the animals are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Despite being protected, the habitat of these animals is being destroyed.Protecting The ChinchillaHawks, snakes, foxes, owls, and cougars prey on chinchillas in the wild.If it detects danger, the chinchilla will flee like most prey animals. Depending on what is after it, it will hide in rocky crevices, under shrubs and logs, or burrow underground in its natural habitat of the Andes Mountains. Chinchillas are quick and agile, jumping up to 6 ft (182.88 cm) in the air and clinging to rocks and tree trunks to avoid predators. Even if a predator captures a chinchilla, the animal may be able to flee via a fur slip. When frightened or angry, female chinchillas also spray pee. Female chinchillas do this by standing on their hind legs, and the spray can reach 6-8 ft (182.88- 243.84 cm) in the air. The anal gland produces an odor in both males and females. This is a common warning sign that the chinchilla is ready to spray urine. Biting is usually a chinchilla’s last line of defense when stressed or afraid. The long front teeth of the animal are highly keen, and its bite can be rather painful. Before biting, tame chinchillas will typically offer you many warning signs, such as running, fur slips, urine spray, and even mild nips.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for where are chinchillas from, then why not take a look at chinchilla lifespan or chinchilla facts?
The chinchilla is one of the most fascinating rodents on the planet.
