Chinchilla

Chinchilla

Description

Chinchillas are South American rodents known for their agility, soft fur and lively temperament. They require frequent dust baths to keep their coats soft and shiny. Most pet chinchillas are of the species Chinchilla laniger. Descended from Chilean chins, this species is characterized by large ears and a long tail.

 

Scientific Name

Chinchilla laniger or Chinchilla brevicaudata

Country Of Origin

Andes Mountains in regions such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru

Size

Slightly larger than a guinea pig. The average pet chinchilla weighs 1 to 1.5 lbs

Life Expectancy

 
10-20 years

Color

Standard blue gray (naturalle) is the most common color. Other colors include: beige, black, black velvet, brown velvet, charcoal, ebony, mosaic, sapphire, violet and white