About Chinchillas
(Chinchilla lanigera)
Chinchillas are best known for their extremely soft and
luscious fur. They are usually gray, white or black and have a thick furry tail
like a squirrel and large black eyes. As adults their body length is about 12
inches and their tail is an additional 3 to 6 inches. Although chinchillas are
very cute and fun to watch they can move very quickly and should be handled only
under adult supervision. For this reason they may not be a suitable choice for
very young children or kids who do not take pleasure in just observing their
pets.
When you do handle your chinchilla be sure to not touch
his fur too much as it contains essential oils that can be easily rubbed off by
your hands. It is best to hold his tail with your thumb and forefinger and
support his hind legs with your other hand. Chinchillas do not get along with
most other pets but do well in pairs with other chinchillas. Your chinchilla can
live for more than 20 years so another chinchilla will be good for company.
Housing
Chinchillas are delicate animals with strong teeth. Stay
away from plastic cages as your pet will chew right through them and possibly
ingest pieces of plastic. While choosing a location to place your chinchilla’s
cage, be aware of the possibility of drafts and over heating, both are dangerous
to your pet. You should offer your pet tubes to crawl in, simulating the natural
burrowing behavior and a hide box to sleep inside. Also be sure your pet’s cage
is multi-leveled or at least has ledges for your chinchilla to sit on.
Chinchillas a great jumpers and will enjoy this extra dimension. A wheel is a
good toy for exercising your pet and be sure your cage is large enough to
accommodate a pan or dusting house for your chinchilla’s nightly dust bath.
