Data sheet chinchilla
Latin name:
Chinchilla chinchilla and Chinchilla lanigera
Origin:
Andes mountains in Chile
Size:
25cm – 45cm
age expectation:
10 years in the wild, 20 years in captivity
Behavior / stocking:
Awakened, active
Groups vs. individual housing:
Individual and small group accommodation possible
Lining:
seeds, grasses and fruits
Difficulty level:
Rodent experience required, no child pet Guérin Nicolas (messages), Chinchilla lanigera (Wroclaw zoo)-2, CC BY-SA 3.0
General introduction
The chinchilla is a South American rodent that has been hunted to extinction for its luxurious, velvety fur.
However, one species of chinchilla was bred in captivity beginning in the late 1800s. Today, domesticated chinchillas are kept as playful, intelligent pets.
acquisition and maintenance
purchase
Chinchillas are available in well-stocked pet shops or, even better, from a responsible hobby breeder. Please note that breeding animals are considerably more expensive than specimens from the pet trade.
20 euros to 30 euros is a reasonable price for a chinchilla from the pet shop. You should not buy a chinchilla baby younger than 3 months; they are still too young to be separated from their mother. Instead, try to find a chinchilla that is around 4 months old. This is the ideal age to start taming your new pet.
Requirements for the attitude (equipment)
Chinchillas are small rodents native to South America that live in rocky, arid areas in the mountains. They are active and playful, and if treated with care from an early age, most chinchillas become quite docile and can bond closely with their owners.
But don’t expect them to enjoy being held and petted like dogs and cats. They usually don’t, although they will show their affection for you in other ways.
socialization
chinchillas can individually are kept and usually come with them same-sex couples get along well, especially if the two chinchillas are littermates or are introduced together at a young age.
location of the cage
Chinchillas are known for their incredibly soft, thick, and luxurious fur. In the wild, this coat protects them from the elements, but in captivity they are somewhat prone to overheating. This needs to be considered when deciding where to place your chinchilla in the home.
A cool, quiet area of the house is the best place for your chinchilla’s cage. Summer temperatures need to be monitored to ensure the ambient temperature is not much above 25 degrees Celsius.
size of the cage
Chinchilla cages must large and multi-storey and have platforms, ramps and perches. The bigger the cage, the better. The minimum floor area is about 3 square meters for two animals, which is at least 50 cm wide and at least 150 cm high; if possible, it should be equipped with terraces and ladders for the mountaineers to climb.
Wire is the best cage material (apart from the floor). Avoid cages or accessories made of plastic as chinchillas can easily chew and destroy plastic. The shell can be lined with wood chips, preferably pine; avoid cedar and hardwood chips, such as B. aspen wood, and newspapers. Many chinchilla cages have wire floors, which is good for cleanliness, but the wire can be harmful to chinchilla feet.
Wire shelves or shelves can be covered with wood to protect the chinchillas’ sensitive little feet. A wooden nest box should also be available.
sand bath
Hailing from arid regions, the furry chinchillas need a regular feed sand bath. Remember, regular sand baths are the only way to keep your chinchilla’s soft, thick coat in good condition. Chinchillas should never be bathed in water.
The fine chinchilla sand intended for a sand bath penetrates the thickness of the chinchilla fur where it absorbs oils and removes dirt. Dust baths not only keep chinchillas’ fur in tip-top shape, but they also seem to enjoy a long dust bath.
toy
chinchillas chew, run, jump and hide himself. This means you need a variety of toys for chinchillas to keep them occupied and active, most importantly chewsto keep the incisors in good condition.
Logs and branches that are pesticide-free make good chew toys. Some wooden parrot toys also work well for them, as do the wicker balls and rings available for rabbits. It is important that the toy does not contain any small parts or plastic parts that could be a choking hazard.
A chinchilla block or pumice stone to chew on can also be provided to help brush teeth.
Running wheels are great for exercise, although you will find that the chinchilla only likes running on a running wheel if it has been introduced to it from a young age.
Make sure the wheel is large enough, ie at least 40cm in diameter (anything smaller will be too small for most adult chinchillas), with a firm tread and one open side with no cross braces like wire wheels used for feet and tail can be dangerous. Exit outside the cage is also conceivable as long as there are no cables or other sources of danger endangering the chinchilla.
gender differences
If you are unsure whether you are dealing with a male or female specimen, check the distance between the anus and the genitals. The space between the chinchilla’s anus and its external genitalia is twice as large in male chinchillas as in females. Little or no hair grows in this area.
A female chinchilla’s clitoris is about the same size as a male chinchilla’s penis, making it difficult to determine the sex of your chinchilla based on the external genitalia.
Also, male chinchillas do not have a scrotum, and both sexes have nipples. In most female chinchillas, there is almost no space between the vulva and the anus.
feed and nutrition
Chinchillas have specific dietary needs that differ from those of other rodents. You must use a high-quality, chinchilla specific Food must be fed, otherwise their health will suffer. Chinchillas require a lot roughage, and the feed should consist mainly of high-quality grass hay and pellets suitable for chinchillas. Treats should be offered in moderation (no more than 1 teaspoon per day).
Chinchillas’ digestive systems are quite delicate, so any dietary changes should be done gradually. Pelleted feeds are better than a mix of loose ingredients. Commercially available loose mixes with chinchilla pelletsWhile corn, seed, corn and other foods are nutritionally balanced while in the bag, your chinchilla may not eat all of the components of the mix.
This is because chinchillas tend to pick and eat only what they like from a mix, leaving the nutrient content less balanced. Look for a pelleted food formulated specifically for chinchillas that is 16 to 20 percent protein, low fat (2 to 5 percent) and high in fiber (15 to 35 percent).
treats
Round off your chinchilla’s diet with occasional mealworms and pieces of fruit, then you meet the requirements of species-appropriate husbandry.
acclimatization and handling
Chinchillas are largely nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. They are also sometimes referred to as “crepuscular”, meaning their activity peaks at dawn and dusk. In any case, they should be kept in a relatively quiet area during the day. you prefer one consistent routine handling and feeding, and can become stressed by changes in their routine.
Because they are so active and playful, chinchillas need a spacious cage in which to exercise and play on a daily basis. Warm temperatures are more of a problem for chinchillas than cool temperatures, and owners should take precautions to keep their chinchillas from overheating.
You have to be gentle and consistent to gain a chinchilla’s trust. It may take a chinchilla some time to get used to your hands and handling, especially if they are older and have not been handled as much. Some chinchillas don’t like to be held much. They’d rather explore or climb on you than be held, but being able to pet and interact with your chinchilla will make your relationship with them extra rewarding.
A few simple steps can help even the shyest chinchilla get used to being handled. When taming your chinchillas, be calm, slow, and patient, and they will eventually respond.
Other questions
Does a chinchilla get along with children?
Due to their nocturnal activity, their nimbleness and because they are reluctant to be carried around and petted, chinchillas are only suitable for very understanding and patient children who have the necessary caution when dealing with the sensitive animals.
Therefore, chinchillas are only conditionally recommended as pets for children. Rather, they belong in the hands of an experienced rodent lover who is aware of their charges’ needs and able to meet them.