All About Chinchillas

Chinchilla is a beautiful and interesting animal, which can often be found in the apartment. It not only attracts attention with valuable fur, but also with its behavior. Before you get yourself such a rodent, you should familiarize yourself with information about its contents.

Chinchilla is a furry rodent that belongs to the chinchilla family.

The adult animal reaches 22-38 cm in length, its tail is 10-17 cm. The skull is round, the neck is shortened. The coat is characterized by increased density and strength. The fur is able to warm the animal in cool weather, the remaining hairs are located on the tail. The weight of an adult animal can be 800 grams.

The rodent looks attractive: it has large round eyes of black color with pupils of a vertical arrangement. Thanks to such pupils, animals can see well at night. Antennae are 8-10 cm long, ears are rounded and reach 6 cm. Special membranes are located in the auricles, thanks to which the rodent can close the ears when taking a sand bath. Thus, sand does not penetrate the ears.

The dental system contains 20 teeth. The mouth itself is small, narrow, gums well developed. Adult chinchillas have 16 molars and 4 incisors. The former are characterized by a deep fit in the jawbones and have a square cross-sectional shape.

Newborn babies have 16 teeth, with 8 molars and 4 incisors. Two incisors are located on the upper half, the others are below.They protrude strongly and have a chisel shape. Teeth (front surface) are painted with reddish or yellow enamel. Dentin is located on the posterior surface, therefore this part of the teeth is erased in the future and takes the form of a sharp bit. Cutters are used to nibble and hold food.

The animal has the ability to sink into the narrow crevices of the rocks. This is achieved by compressing the skeleton. The front legs have five fingers, where 4 are grasping, and one is practically not used. It is 2 times longer than the rest. There are 4 fingers on the hind legs, the limbs themselves are twice as long as the forelegs. Thanks to this structure, the animal is able to jump high.

Now, as before, chinchillas are actively hunted. This is due to the value of animal fur, which is used in the manufacture of fur coats. Thereby the number of animals is noticeably reduced and they are listed in the Red Book.

Chinchillas tend to make original sounds if they show discontent. From the side, it is similar to duck quacking or chirping. When the rodent is angry, it makes sounds resembling a growl, blowing its nose, and will also click its teeth. During a fright, he beeps loudly.

Rodent is able to fend for itself and is prone to attack. It looks funny: the animal rises on its hind legs, begins to growl, lowers its urine and bites.

The birthplace of chinchilla is South America. The animals live in its northern parts, where dry and rocky terrain prevails. The height above sea level of their habitats is 400-500 meters. Typically, rodents live in the Argentine, Peruvian, Chilean mountains. They can also be found on the territory of the Andes in Bolivia. The temperature in the summer season in these places is no more than 24 degrees, in the winter, the thermometer drops to -20 degrees. It is dominated by a dry, cold climate with lots of winds.

In places where chinchillas live, the meager flora. In these areas you can find cabbage, shrubs, plants of cereal varieties along with herbs. A similar assortment influenced the formation of their diet.

Rodents are active at night and live in groups, the composition of which reaches 100 individuals. In the daytime, they hide in rocky crevices or use burrows that other animals created. There is always an animal in the group that is assigned the role of observer. He monitors the safety of the flock and when there is danger, he screams loudly.

In the wild, chinchillas create pairs. Offspring are born once a year. There are 2-4 cubs in the litter.

In the wild animals live only five years. Home chinchilla is characterized by a long life span, which reaches 25 years. Cases were recorded when rodents survived to 28 years.

The life span of a house in these animals depends on how the owner takes care of his pet. Proper care and care can extend this period.

There are two breeds of animals, each of which has its own characteristics.

• Small long-tailed (coastal). The body of the animal reaches 22-38 cm in length. It is distinguished by a long tail (10-17 cm), which is fluffy. Outwardly, it is similar to the tail of a squirrel. The animal is characterized by large black eyes, antennae of sufficient length, large and round ears. Such individuals are small compared to the next breed.

• Short-tailed (large). This breed has short forelegs along with powerful hind limbs. The tail is small. The neck is thick. The coat may be grayish-blue with a white belly. Such chinchillas are characterized by a wide head on which small ears of lilac color are located.

Besides the key varieties, there are a large number of mutations that are obtained through the work of breeders. For many years, people have mixed rodents of different colors.

Standard rodents are in demand among farmers and are considered the main variety of domestic rodents. They have a gray-blue coat on the femur, head, tail, back. Belly is white.

The predominant color is “agouti”, which is characterized by zonality: the upper part of the hair is dark, the middle part has a light shade, and the base is dark. The effectiveness of the fur is called a veil. The middle part of the hairs will be saturated or, conversely, diluted.

At home, the following colors are most often found:

• traditional gray;
• white
• beige;
• black velvet;
• brown velvet;
• sapphire;
• purple.

Many owners mix such colors with each other, due to which hybrids are obtained. In total there are about 200 variations. There are varieties that have complicated genetics, since obtaining the color was carried out in several steps.

This is a color found in the wild. It contains a pair of recessive genes. If representatives of this type are crossed, their children will have the same color. The standard gray color can be different: from light standard to dark standard. In places where the bends are located, a tone game is observed, which is expressed in the following: the bottom and top may have black color, and the middle - white.

Such rodents were bred by American hunters in 1960. They are recognizable by their color: the head and back are black, the stomach is painted white. The forelimbs are decorated diagonally with stripes of black.

You can cross rodents with other colors to get the following hybrid individuals:

• by crossing Wilson with white, they obtain white velvet individuals;
• mixing with hetero-beige representatives makes it possible to get chinchilla in brown velvet colors;
• if you mix this color with violet in two passes, you can get the color purple velvet.

A similar color was created in 1955 in the United States and is the first mutational variation. Such rodents may differ in their appearance: their fur varies from a snow-white color to a dark silver color.

White rodents are representatives with a lethal gene, which is formed due to the combination of a pair of white individuals. In order not to risk the quality components of the offspring, white chinchilla should not be crossed with their own kind.

This color is obtained by combining chinchilla black velvet with the mutational look of white Wilson. As a result, the offspring will possess the genes black velvet, gray traditional and white.

The first individuals with this color appeared in 1955. If the beige color is dominant, the animal looks as follows: the ears are painted in dark red or pink. Sometimes there are black dots on the ears. The fur coat can be light or dark beige.

Such species are characterized by a light cream coat, on which pinkish tints are present. The ears also have a pink color, the pupils are light pink, around them there is a white or light blue iris.

This color is achieved by combining chinchillas black velvet and beige. Puppies have a snow-white abdomen and a back, characterized by a light or dark shade. To exclude a decrease in the number of babies in the litter, the crossing of individuals with a black velvet gene is not approved.

The violet color is a recessive mutation that demonstrates itself only as a homozygous state. If you mix them with traditional colors, babies with a traditional gray color, who will wear the purple gene, will be born. But visually he will not show himself. The color of the coat is light lilac or dark lilac. The stomach has a snow-white color.

Despite all the attendant difficulties that are observed when breeding new offspring, purple individuals are considered popular in European countries.

It is best to mix such rodents with a traditional gray color, which will be the carrier of purple. This will help not spoil the fur.

This is a mutation obtained by mixing a homophobic rodent with a black velvet, possessing the black velvet gene along with the traditional violet. Rodents have dark lilac fur, a white belly, dark stripes on the diagonal are present on the limbs. The black velvet gene affects the violet color, making it darker.

This is a recessive coloring. If you mix it with traditional rodents, you will get offspring that will be a traditional carrier of sapphire colors, not externally manifested. If you cross two individuals of this color or only one sapphire chinchilla with a carrier of this color, sapphire babies will be born. Coloring a fur coat will not change its characteristics throughout the entire life of the animal.

Angora chinchilla is the most beautiful and brightest chinchilla mutation that is present on the market. The first to be described by Dr. Caraway. He reported that the rodent has not only a very long fur (which is twice as long), it also has a quick maturation. Already at 5 months the animals are ready for crossing, which, of course, pleased the fur farmers.

Such individuals have the softest and densest fur. Hard outer hair is missing. Coloring can be any.

Chinchillas are herbivores that are not picky about food. The main part of their diet is beans, cereals, seeds, moss, lichen with other herbaceous vegetation. The animal will not be able to refuse the tree bark, shrubs and small insects.

The issue of chinchilla nutrition is no different from the diet of a rabbit. At the moment, a large number of feeds for such a variety of rodents are sold in specialized pet stores. At the same time, you can feed your pet with dry bread crusts, seeds, fruits. In the winter season, the pet will enjoy the mixed grass hay, twigs, dried apples, raisins, nuts, dried apricots, rose hips and barberries.

Owners who feed their pets greens in the summer should remember the rules for feeding: start with a couple of dried dandelion leaves per day. Bean stems with clover should also be dried or dried, as in the fresh state they can cause flatulence in the animal. Root crops should be given carefully, carrots should be washed.

Herb hay is an essential ingredient in chinchilla diets. Immediately exclude wet hay or mold from feeding. The pet should have access to fresh water around the clock.

Water that flows from a faucet does not fit the chinchilla, because the animal may die from it. It is preferable to purchase artesian or mineral water without gas. Alternatively, boiled or purified water is allowed.

For the front incisors of the animal to grind, apple, pear, willow, birch or willow branches must be present in the cage. You can use linden branches, acacia shoots or hazelnuts.

Can give special chalk or pumice stones. Chalk will help not only grind your teeth, but also is a mineral supplement.

A large amount of sweet and high-calorie foods is not the best option for feeding chinchillas. Such a diet can provoke obesity and adversely affect the reproductive function of the beast.

In most cases, such animals are monogamous. Pregnancy of a female can be determined by an increase in body weight. Weight increases every two weeks by 100-110 grams. After the second month of pregnancy, the stomach begins to grow and the nipples swell. Pregnant individuals should be provided with vitamins and healthy food. Pregnancy lasts 112 days.

Closer to delivery, the female practically stops moving and refuses food. Typically, childbirth occurs in the morning, from 5-8 hours. The duration of delivery can last from several minutes to several hours.

Puppies are born with open eyes and erupted teeth. The body is covered with down. On the first day they can already move freely. When the offspring is one day old, it should be weighed and sex determined. Newborn individuals have a weight of 30-70 grams.

A more adult chinchilla can please its owner with offspring of 5-6 puppies, while young individuals give birth to 1-2 cubs. One day after the birth, the male can re-fertilize the chinchilla. In one year, the female brings 3 offspring, but the latter is not desirable, since the animal’s body is greatly depleted.

Milk appears on the birthday of the offspring, but sometimes you may encounter a delay of 3 days. For this reason, the owner should monitor the condition of their pets: if the kids are hunched, sitting with their tail down, you should pay attention to their mother. If she does not have milk, the babies are transferred to the nurse or fed using a special mixture for kittens. During the first week, babies need to be fed every 2.5-3 hours.

Lactation lasts for 45-60 days. After this, the puppies must be dropped off from the mother. Sowing is allowed at the age of one month, if the offspring is breast-fed.

Chinchillates grow rapidly and by the month increase their size by 3 times. Their weight at this moment is 114 grams. At the age of 60 days, the weight of individuals reaches 201 grams, in three months - 270 grams. Transplanted individuals should be kept in ordinary cages of several pieces. Males and females should be located separately. Often you can encounter polygamous breeding of rodents when several males have one male.

It is difficult for an ordinary person to determine the age of an adult with accuracy, but the difference between the baby and the adult chinchilla is obvious.

The puppy has a rounded muzzle, small round ears. The neck is short.If the individual has white teeth, then it is breastfed and its age is no more than two months. Over time, rodent's teeth become darker and turn orange.

When the animal is 7 months old, its genitals are fully formed, which allows you to approximately understand the age of the animal.

It is more difficult to distinguish a two-year-old from a five-year-old. First of all, the animal should be weighed: the mass of an adult chinchilla varies between 500-900 grams. The older the pet, the more weight it has (if proper care is provided). The skin on the legs can also indicate the age of the animal. Young individuals have a smooth skin. In older representatives, it is rude. Chinchilla of venerable age can not boast of activity, as in young brothers.

Chinchilla is not difficult to care for, which is why it is very popular among lovers of rodents. However, some rules should be kept in mind.

• These rodents require large cages. It is best to choose tall pens that look like aviaries. One animal has enough of a pen, the dimensions of which are 100 * 80 * 50 cm.
• Such animals like height, so animals should be provided with wooden shelves. Chinchilla does not need stairs, as it is able to jump high.
• Also in the cage should be installed a house made of wood, in which the animal will be free.
• A hammock, a tunnel and a running wheel are indispensable attributes for keeping a rodent in comfortable conditions.
• Gnawing accessories are an essential attribute of chinchilla content. You can put small branches in the aviary, wooden bars, chalk or salt pebbles.
• Every day, surfaces are treated with natural detergents.
• When choosing a cell, you need to pay attention to the material. Plastic should be excluded immediately, since the animal will gnaw it, and in the esophagus this material will cause intestinal obstruction with a fatal outcome.
• A cage filler is not required, but in the corner you can put a tray for the pet's toilet. If the owner neglects the tray, every day the excrement of the beast must be removed with a broom.
• For a couple of hours a day, the rodent should be released from the cage. In this case, you need to monitor your pet, since the chinchilla is prone to nibble objects and can ruin wires and other things.

Since chinchillas cannot be bathed in water, they need a sand bath. Pure fine sand is preferred. The bath is placed in the aviary several times a week. On an ongoing basis, it is not recommended to leave it, as from frequent bathing in animals the skin begins to dry out. Also, chinchilla can gnaw a bath or go into it in the toilet.

It is best to buy special sand - cialite. It is found in the wild. The animal grinds its incisors about it, after which it bathes in the resulting dust. It is undesirable to use Polish sand, as it is a simple river. If the animal bathes in it, there is a risk that it will ruin its fur.

2 cm of sand is enough for a bath. Twice a week, the filler is sieved with a sieve. Two packs of bathing sand lasts for 6 months.

Some owners buy a bath in a pet store or use special containers, the size of which is 30 * 20 * 20 cm. They are made of plastic or tin.

The animals like to swim. Their fur becomes fluffier, more airy, the mood of the pets improves markedly.It is interesting to watch rodents swimming, therefore it is advisable to use transparent bathtubs if possible. If you do not want to buy ready-made, you can use a pan or a three-liter jar.

Reviews of owners of chinchillas confirm the simplicity of caring for animals. Most people like their lack of smell, which a rat or a hamster cannot boast of. This is one of the positive qualities of these animals. Also, rodents do not need to walk, they only need a two-hour walk around the apartment.

Some owners complain that the chinchilla is nibbling and it is impossible to leave one in the apartment without attention. Otherwise, you may encounter gnawed furniture and damaged wires.

When keeping such animals, you need to remember that chinchilla at the moment of fright not only screams loudly, but also lowers urine. This can cause some discomfort.

Animals respond to the nickname, love to sit on their hands and caress. Many owners say that chinchillas are smarter than rats.

Chinchilla can become ill if it is not ensured proper care or fed with inappropriate food. Most often, rodents suffer from an upset gastrointestinal tract, problems with the coat, obesity, stones in the bladder, as well as conjunctivitis and periodontal disease. Hypothermia and sunstroke are also dangerous for animals.

If the owner notices a change in the condition of his pet, you should immediately contact a veterinarian. Postponing a visit to the clinic is not worth it, since with timely treatment, the pet is more likely to recover.

Signs of chinchilla disease:

• refusal to eat;
• lethargy and passivity;
• the animal falls sideways.

A healthy individual weighs at least 0.5 kg. Teeth - an indicator of the health of the animal. If they suddenly start to turn white, this indicates a lack of calcium. The fur coat must possess smoothness and brilliance.

Chinchilla is not only a beautiful animal, but also interesting. Each owner should get acquainted with interesting facts about his pet.

• Since the chinchilla does not have sweat glands, it does not smell. This is a big plus in the content.
• The rodent does not have claws. They have only soft fingernails.
• If the rodent is in danger, it can throw off shreds of wool.
• A stream of urine is an element of self-defense in females.
• The animal can jump in height of 2 meters or more.
• Since the fur of the animal is dense, parasites are not afraid of it.

Next, watch a video with chinchilla care tips.