What are the two common breeds of chinchillas?
Currently, they are two common Chinchilla breeds; short-tailed and long-tailed. Before making your final choice on a Chinchilla pet, it is essential to learn about their various color disparities. Keep reading as we define some of the most common Chinchilla breeds in the market.
How big are chinchillas?
Overly, short hair Chinchillas weigh 38-50 ounces and measure 28-49 cm long. Likewise, they have long back legs and short frontal ones, which aid in climbing or jumping. Not to forget that they also have short tails and thick neck areas.
How long do chinchillas live?
In captivity, a healthy long-tailed Chinchilla can enjoy a long life of about 15 to 20 years.
What color are sapphire chinchillas?
Indisputably, sapphire Chinchillas are exceptionally fine-looking and adorable in their gray silver color. This is one of the much-sought Chinchillas because of their appeal.
Why are black chinchillas called black velvet?
Black Chinchillas are also referred to as black velvet because of their shiny dark fur. Mostly, they have darker veiling compared to their sides and black stripes around the paws. Likewise, they have crisp white bellies, which make them highly stunning. When interbred with other colored Chinchillas, the union creates an offspring known as TOV violet.
Why are chinchillas extinction?
Unfortunately, the main reason behind near extinction is the commercialization of Chinchilla’s beautiful fur. Despite hunting Chinchilla becoming illegal in the 1920s; it has taken centuries for the battle to bear meaningful results.
What color mutations are common in Chinchillas?
White Chinchillas are a common mutation easily found in the local breeders. You can also find other white variations like white tan, white mosaic TOV mosaic, white ebony, and white violet. Although they are pretty adorable, experts discourage inbreeding with a similar color to avoid inferior mutations.
What is a chinchilla named after?
Interesting Facts about the Chinchilla. The Chinchilla is named after the Chincha people of the Andes Mountains. This group of people once wore this small creature’s velvety, dense fur as coats and hats. The chinchilla is commonly known for its soft fur coat, but this small creature has a number of unique traits.
How big are chinchillas?
Chinchillas have only four, clawed toes on each foot. These cute little animals are typically 9-15 inches (23-38cm) long, its tail adding another 3-6 inches (8-15cm) to their total body length. The chinchilla’s average weight is lbs (0.5-0.8 kg).
What is the difference between a chinchilla and a lanigera?
The Chinchilla chinchilla has a shorter tail, shorter ears, and a thick neck and shoulders. The Chinchilla lanigera is the opposite , possessing a thinner body frame , paired with a longer tail and ears. All chinchillas sport a velvety, thick fur coat that can be seen in various colorations, including brown, black, and white.
What are some interesting facts about chinchillas?
Interesting Facts about the Chinchilla 1 High Jumper – The chinchilla can jump up to 6 feet (1.8 m). 2 Multiple Forms of Defense – Chinchillas have a number of defense tactics to get away from prey, including releasing tufts of fur and spraying urine. 3 Use Their Paws to Eat – Chinchillas eat by holding their food in their tiny front paws, nibbling on the source of food with their prominent two front teeth. 4 Bathe in Dust – Chinchillas take dust baths to decrease the amount of dander (dry, flaky skin), prevent parasites like fleas, and prevent their velvety fur coats from fungus.
How long does it take for a chinchilla to reproduce?
The female chinchilla can breed anytime of the year. Once pregnant, she carries her young for approximately 111 days (nearly 4 months), which is the longest gestation period of almost all rodents. Chinchillas usually give birth to only one or two babies, called “kits.”.
How many chinchillas are there in a herd?
Chinchillas are highly sociable animals, living in colonies (sometimes called “herds”) of up to 100 chinchillas. These large colonies are both for social interactions and protection from predators. Chinchillas commonly live in burrows, huddling together to maintain warmth in the high elevations of the Chilean Mountains at night.
What temperature do chinchillas need to be?
Due to the inability to sweat, this small animal’s habitat must maintain a temperature of 65-75 F° (18-24° C). Chinchillas are commonly housed in roomy cages, with appropriate hiding places, bedding, and food and water dishes.
What kind of animal is a chinchilla?
Types of Chinchilla Breeds (With Pictures) Chinchillas are small nocturnal creatures that are quite active at night but quiet and restful throughout the day. Natives of South America, these cute little rodents like a routine. They want to eat at the same time, play at the same time, hunt at the same time, and sleep at the same time every day ...
What are the different types of chinchillas?
The Two Different Chinchilla Breeds. There are long-tailed Chinchillas and short-tailed Chinchillas. There are a few differences between the breeds that potential owners should be aware of before deciding exactly what type of Chinchilla to adopt. Here is what you need to know.
What color are black chinchillas?
Many black Chinchillas have white and black striped feet and small white patches on their bellies. But even from a close distance, these little rodents look almost completely black. The black Chinchilla can be bred with lighter colored Chinchillas to create a baby that looks almost violet in color. 3. Beige.
Why are my chinchillas purple?
Violet Chinchillas are not typically bred with one another because it could cause the expression of a recessive gene that makes the babies non-colored or health challenged.
What is a short tailed chinchilla?
The Short-Tailed Chinchilla. Also referred to as the Bolivian or Peruvian Chinchilla, this rodent species is the short-tailed Chinchilla in the United States. This breed of Chinchilla is considered endangered, so you will not find them sitting around in pet stores.
How big do chinchillas get?
Long-tailed Chinchillas grow to be between 9 and 14 inches in length as adults and typically have long, bushy tails that make them look cute and cuddly. These rodents can weigh up to a pound as adults. Most long-tailed Chinchillas in the wild can be found in the mountains throughout Chile today.
How many colors are there in chinchillas?
Both breeds of Chinchillas come in a variety of different colors, seven to be exact. Here is what you should understand about each color variation before choosing a new Chinchilla to call your own.
What is the scientific name of a chinchilla?
Scientific Name: Chinchilla chinchilla and Chinchilla lanigera. The chinchilla is a South American rodent that has been hunted to near-extinction for its luxurious, velvety fur. However, one species of chinchilla was bred in captivity starting at the end of the 19th century.
What are the two species of chinchillas?
The two species of chinchilla are the short-tailed chinchilla ( Chinchilla chinchilla, formerly called C. brevicaudata) and the long-tailed chinchilla ( C. lanigera ). The short-tailed chinchilla has a shorter tail, thicker neck, and shorter ears than the long-tailed chinchilla. The domesticated chinchilla is believed to have descended from the long-tailed chinchilla.
Why do chinchillas take dust baths?
They take dust baths to keep their fur dry and clean. When threatened, a chinchilla may bite, shed fur, or eject a spray of urine. Chinchillas communicate using a wide variety of sounds, which include grunts, barks, squeals, and chirps.
How long do chinchillas live?
The female may give birth to a litter of up 6 kits, but usually one or two offspring are born. The kits are fully furred and can open their eyes when they are born. Kits are weaned between 6 and 8 weeks of age and sexually mature at 8 months of age. Wild chinchillas may live 10 years, but domestic chinchillas can live over 20 years.
What do chinchillas eat?
Wild chinchillas eat seeds, grasses, and fruit. Although they are considered to be herbivores, they may consume small insects. Domestic chinchillas are usually fed grass and kibble specially formulated for their dietary needs. Chinchillas eat much like squirrels. They hold food in their fore paws, while sitting upright on their hind limbs.
Why are chinchillas considered pets?
Chinchillas are valued for their fur and as pets. They are also bred for scientific research of the audio system and as model organisms for Chagas disease, pneumonia, and several bacterial diseases.
How much does a chinchilla weigh?
Domestic long-tail chinchillas are heavier, with males weighing up to 21 ounces and females weighing up to 28 ounces.
How many species of chinchilla are there?
There are only two species of chinchilla but there are many color varieties. Read on to learn some fascinating chinchilla facts about these two species and to see an overview of popular colors.
Where are chinchillas found?
Formerly known as Chinchilla brevicaudata, the short-tailed chinchilla is a rodent species found in South America. They were originally found throughout the Andes mountains or northern as well as Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia but have been exploited for their soft fur pelts to the point of being endangered.
How long do chinchillas live?
Chinchillas have a surprisingly long lifespan for a small pet, close to 15 years in many cases. Maximizing your chinchilla’s lifespan depends on a healthy diet and proper care, of course.
What color is a chinchilla?
Standard Grey. The most common chinchilla coloration is a dark gray coloring on the back and body with a white underbelly. If you take a closer look at the hairs, you’ll notice that they are black at the tip, white in the middle, and blue-gray at the base. The shade of gray may vary from light to dark gray. 4.
How big are chinchillas?
Size: Up to 10 inches. Color: Grey, black, white. Also known as the coastal chinchilla, Chilean chinchilla, or the common chinchilla, this species is the smaller of the two. Though this type only grows to about 10 inches in length, their tails usually account for a third of their body length, averaging about 5 inches.
Is a chinchilla bigger than a long tail?
Though their tails may be shorter, short-tailed chinchillas are actually larger than their long-tailed relatives. The short-tailed chinchilla has short forelimbs but long, powerful hind legs that come in handy when jumping and climbing among the crevices in its native habitat.
Do chinchillas come from the same species?
Though all chinchillas come from the same two species ( C. chinchilla and C. lanigera ), chinchilla breeders have developed a wide variety of coat colors over time.
What is the most common breed of chinchilla?
The long-tailed chinchilla and the short-tailed chinchilla are the most common breeds of chinchillas available with their distinctive characteristics. Anyone who is considering buying chinchillas as a pet should know more about the available breeds to help with making the right choice.
Where are chinchillas found?
It is one among the endangered species of the rodent. They are found mostly in the Andes Mountains of Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, and Chile. These rodents are highly exploited for their fur.
What is a black velvet chinchilla?
The belly is usually bright white. These chinchillas even come with black stripes on the paws. Their bellies are crisp white. The fur of this chinchilla is velvet in nature. These chinchillas are even called black velvet. The cross breed of black velvet chinchillas with another color creates a breed called TOV violet.
How big are chinchillas?
Size: The long-tailed chinchillas have bodies that are 9 to 14 inches long and bushy tails which are 3 to 6 inches long. Females of this breed weigh up to about 1.76 pounds and males weigh up to 1 pound. Native Habitat: This is the breed of chinchilla which is found in the Andes Mountains of northern Chile. They are found in the mountainous and ...
What is purple chinchilla?
The purple chinchillas are the ones with the fur that is very grey in color on the whole belly. These chinchillas come with a violet gene with the combination of an ebony gene. The heritable characteristics are very prominent. It is not recommended to breed the violets with each other as the color is very recessive.
How many babies do chinchillas have?
The female chinchillas are monogamous in nature and every year they will have two litters. The litters of the long-tailed chinchillas usually comprise of two to three babies. The parent chinchillas nurse the babies only to about 6 to 8 weeks.
What color is a chinchilla's fur?
Long-tailed Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) The long-tailed chinchillas are usually available with fur that is brownish, bluish, or pearl gray except on the stomach that has the yellowish white color. The coat is very dense and soft, and the hair has black tips.
Langiera
This species of chinchilla are mainly found in the mid-levels of their natural habitat. They are considered the best breeders in comparison to their chinchilla cousins mentioned below. The original Langiera species showed a more comprehensive range of colors ranging from a bluish-grey to brown coloring.
Brevicaudata
The next species we are more common with is the Brevicaudata, which hails from the mountains’ highest regions. They had described as the larger of the three species and have larger bodies and a broad head (the round head is what I had heard them called when I first started with chinchillas).
Costina
This is the last type of chinchilla that inhabits the domestic world of chinchillas. These types were found closest to sea level in their native region of the Andes. Their characteristics were that they have longer ears and tails and are described as being more highly strung than the other two species.
Short-Tailed Chinchilla
- Short-tailed breeds are also referred to as Bolivian or Peruvian Chinchilla. Although there are few short hair species remaining, you can still find some in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. Unfortunately, the main reason behind near extinction is the commercialization of Chinchilla’s beautiful fur. Despite hunting Chinchilla becoming illegal in...
Long-Tailed Chinchilla
- Long-tailed Chinchilla thrives around Andes Mountains in Northern Chile. Compared to other breeds, they have soft fur in pearl gray, bluish and brownish color. The dense coat has black tips, which make it amazingly striking and warm in cold weather. Moreover, long-tailed Chinchillas have broad heads, vestigial pouches around the cheeks, and large ears. Although they are thickly cov…
Color Variations on Chinchillas
- Thanks to selective breeding, Chinchilla’s colors have remarkably changed from yellow grayish to diverse variations. Here are standard Chinchilla colors you can find with your local breeder.
Which Type of Chinchilla Should You get?
- Before investing in a Chinchilla, it is essential to note that this active animal may never exhibit emotions like cats or dogs. Nevertheless, you can manage to enjoy a rewarding experience with your little friend with patience and positivity. Importantly, avoid buying Chinchillas from pet stores as it is more likely to get unhealthy animals there. Instead, contact a reliable breeder who will gui…
Final Words
- There is always a major cause of concern on whether various colored Chinchillas breeds differ in behavior, eating habits, and breeding. In a nutshell, coat color is only aesthetic and does not trigger specific behavioral characteristics. All said, ensure that you give your Chinchilla pets an enhanced quality of life through proper feeding, care, and breeding.
Origin
Physical characteristics
- All chinchillas sport a velvety, thick fur coat that can be seen in various colorations, including brown, black, and white. These small creatures have bushy tails, and large, black eyes. Chinchillas have only four, clawed toes on each foot. These cute little animals are typically 9-15 inches (23-38cm) long, its tail adding another 3-6 inches (8-15cm) to their total body length. The chinchilla…
Appearance
- The Chinchilla is named after the Chincha people of the Andes Mountains. This group of people once wore this small creatures velvety, dense fur as coats and hats. The chinchilla is commonly known for its soft fur coat, but this small creature has a number of unique traits.
Distribution and habitat
- The chinchilla is native to the Andes Mountains in South America, favoring high elevations up to 14,000 feet (4,270 m) above sea level. In its natural habitat, the chinchilla lives in rock crevices and burrows.
Distribution
- Today, wild chinchillas are only found in Chile, but historically lived in areas of Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia. The two species of chinchilla are native to South Americas Andes Mountains, but can be found worldwide as they have been distributed as a popular pet.
Diet
- In captivity, the chinchilla is fed commercial feed pellets. Wild chinchillas have been known to consume a diet of small insects, seeds, fruits, and the leaves of plants.
Uses
- The chinchilla is widely used for research and health studies. Common chinchilla health studies include:
Treatment
- As chinchillas are common hosts (the bacteria, virus or parasite lives inside the animal without causing harm) of these illnesses, so studying them will help humans to create better medicine to fight the infections.
Health
- Chinchillas have become a popular exotic pet to own, though they are prone to health problems, including dental disease and tooth overgrowth, gastrointestinal intestinal disease, and internal parasites, which have occurred in domestication. Research is still being done as to the best chinchilla care for pet ownership. Chinchillas do not bathe in water. Instead, they take dust bath…
Ownership
- The chinchilla is a popular pet to own, especially for children. Keep in mind that chinchillas are fragile creatures, that should only be owned by adults and children over the age of 10 years. In addition, the common health problems these tiny pets are prone to should be taken into consideration before welcoming one into the home.
Management
- Chinchillas are adaptable creatures, but in captivity they require great , and should only be kept by experienced owners. Due to the inability to sweat, this small animals habitat must maintain a temperature of 65-75 F° (18-24° C). Chinchillas are commonly housed in roomy cages, with appropriate hiding places, bedding, and food and water dishes. The chinchilla also requires veter…
Behavior
- Chinchillas are highly sociable animals, living in colonies (sometimes called herds) of up to 100 chinchillas. These large colonies are both for social interactions and protection from predators. Chinchillas commonly live in burrows, huddling together to maintain warmth in the high elevations of the Chilean Mountains at night.
Reproduction
- The female chinchilla can breed anytime of the year. Once pregnant, she carries her young for approximately 111 days (nearly 4 months), which is the longest gestation period of almost all rodents. Chinchillas usually give birth to only one or two babies, called kits. Chinchilla kits are born with their eyes open, and their bodies fully covered in fur.
Species
Description
- The defining characteristic of a chinchilla is its soft, dense fur. Each hair follicle has between 60 and 80 hairs growing from it. Chinchillas have large dark eyes, rounded ears, long whiskers, and furry 3 to 6-inch tails. Their back legs are more than twice as long as their front legs, making them agile jumpers. While chinchillas appear bulky, most of their size comes from their fur. Wild chinc…
Habitat and Distribution
- At one time, chinchillas lived in the Andesmountains and along the coasts of Bolivia, Argentina, Peru, and Chile. Today, the only wild colonies are found in Chile. Wild chinchillas inhabit cold, dry climates, primarily at elevations between 9,800 and 16,400 feet. They live in rocky crevices or burrows in the ground.
Diet
- Wild chinchillas eat seeds, grasses, and fruit. Although they are considered to be herbivores, they may consume small insects. Domestic chinchillas are usually fed grass and kibble specially formulated for their dietary needs. Chinchillas eat much like squirrels. They hold food in their fore paws, while sitting upright on their hind limbs.
Behavior
- Chinchillas live in social groups called herds that consist of 14 to 100 individuals. They are largely nocturnal, so they can avoid hot daytime temperatures. They take dust baths to keep their fur dry and clean. When threatened, a chinchilla may bite, shed fur, or eject a spray of urine. Chinchillas communicate using a wide variety of sounds, which include grunts, barks, squeals, and chirps.
Reproduction and Offspring
- Chinchillas can mate at any time of the year. Gestation is unusually long for a rodentand lasts 111 days. The female may give birth to a litter of up 6 kits, but usually one or two offspring are born. The kits are fully furred and can open their eyes when they are born. Kits are weaned between 6 and 8 weeks of age and sexually mature at 8 months of age. Wild chinchillas may live 10 years, …
Conservation Status
- The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the conservation status of both chinchilla species as "endangered." As of 2015, researchers estimated 5,350 mature long-tailed chinchillas remained in the wild, but their population was decreasing. As of 2014, two small populations of short-tailed chinchillas remained in the Antofagasta and Atacama regions of nort…
Threats
- Hunting and commercial harvesting of chinchillas has been banned since a 1910 treaty between Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. However, once the ban began to be enforced, prices of pelts skyrocketed and poaching brought the chinchilla to the brink of extinction. While poaching continues to be a significant threat to wild chinchillas, they are safer than before because captiv…
Chinchillas and Humans
- Chinchillas are valued for their fur and as pets. They are also bred for scientific research of the audio system and as model organisms for Chagas disease, pneumonia, and several bacterial diseases.
Sources
- Jiménez, Jaime E. "The extirpation and current status of wild chinchillas Chinchilla lanigera and C. brevicaudata." Biological Conservation. 77 (1): 1–6, 1996. doi:10.1016/0006-3207(95)00116-6
- Patton, James L.; Pardiñas, Ulyses F. J.; D'Elía, Guillermo. Rodents. Mammals of South America. 2. University of Chicago Press. pp. 765–768, 2015. ISBN 9780226169576.
- Jiménez, Jaime E. "The extirpation and current status of wild chinchillas Chinchilla lanigera and C. brevicaudata." Biological Conservation. 77 (1): 1–6, 1996. doi:10.1016/0006-3207(95)00116-6
- Patton, James L.; Pardiñas, Ulyses F. J.; D'Elía, Guillermo. Rodents. Mammals of South America. 2. University of Chicago Press. pp. 765–768, 2015. ISBN 9780226169576.
- Roach, N. & R. Kennerley. Chinchilla chinchilla. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T4651A22191157. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T4651A22191157.en
- Roach, N. & R. Kennerley. Chinchilla lanigera (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T4652A117975205. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T4652A22190974.en
