Origin of the name Chinchilla
The reason they were named chinchilla was from the Spaniards, who named this small animal Chinchilla after the “Chinchas” tribe. Chinchilla means Little Chincha in Spanish.
Habitat
Chinchilla’s native habitat is in the Andes region, extending to the west coast of South America, in polar climates such as rock cracks, caves and shrubs, or in dry alpine rocky areas; and at an altitude of about 500 to 1200 meters. This area covers parts of four different countries, including Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.
Features
There are two types of chinchillas, with short-tailed chinchillas’ lengths at about 45 cm. At present, the standard overall length of pet chinchillas in various countries is 40-50 cm, and the tail occupies one third of the whole animal. Chinchillas have large eyes; blunt round and standing ears; 4-5cm long whiskers on both cheeks; a round figure and a fluffy tail. Chinchillas have short forelimbs and five toes, which can hold food flexibly. The hind legs are well developed and can easily jump above one meter. Chinchillas have 4 incisors and 16 molars. Chinchillas needs constant dental care to help them with their constantly growing teeth. Their body temperature is between 35.5 ° -38 ° C. Adult Chinchillas weigh between 500g and 900g. With proper care, Chinchillas have an average lifespan of 10-20 years. The world record is 29 years.
- Chinchilla is a nocturnal animal, they require a clean and quiet environment, and they make good family pets. Not only that, Chinchillas are docile and non-aggressive. They can live alone and live in groups. Chinchillas have a life span of 10 to 20 years and can breed for 8 to 10 years.
- Chinchillas like a clean, dry, and cool environment. The environment is to be ventilated. The suitable temperature is 2 ~ 30 ° C and the ambient humidity should be less than 50% to reduce the chances of Chinchillas getting skin diseases.
- Chinchillas’ diet is predominantly pellets and hay, and adult chinchillas eat about 10% of their body weight. Pellets and hay should be available throughout the day so that Chinchillas can always eat.
- Chinchillas’ drinking water must be supplied throughout the day, boiled or mineral water is recommended.
- Provide Chinchilla volcanic ash regularly to let Chinchilla tumble in it as an act of cleaning the body and arranging hair.
- Chinchilla safe wooden supplies, molars or apple wood must be provided to help the chinchilla grind down their teeth.
