Sept. 4/2024

5 Fun Facts About Chinchillas

By Teresa Manucy, DVM

8/ 7/ 2023

What Is a Chinchilla?

Chinchillas are small social rodents known for their soft, plush fur as well as their quiet & shy demeanor. They are agile & athletic with the ability to climb well & jump up to 6 feet. Chinchillas require constant chewing to keep their continually growing teeth trimmed. They often sit upright to sunbathe, groom, & to eat with their front paws.

Chinchillas can make great family pets due to their small size & are comparable to a small cat or rabbit. They are naturally clean & odorless. Their timid, peaceful demeanor is better suited for adults & older children. Chinchillas are mostly active around dawn & dusk & tend to be more awake at night. A few fun facts about chinchillas include the following:

#1 Baby Chinchillas Are Called Kits

Baby chinchillas are known as kits & are born fully covered in fur. They weigh between 30–60 grams or 1–2 ounces. At birth, chinchilla eyes & ears are open & functional, making them one of the most independent newborn animals. The average chinchilla litter size is 2 kits but may range from 1 to 6. They will reach sexual maturity around 8 months of age.

#2 Chinchillas Like Dust Baths

Chinchillas will take occasional dust baths to keep their fur conditioned. Their fur should not be bathed in water or get wet since it takes too long to dry & may cause the skin to become inflamed. A dust bath will counter their naturally oily skin & helps maintain the softness of their fur. These dust baths should be offered to pet chinchillas at least 2 to 3 times per week. Offering too frequent dust baths may dry out their skin.

A chinchilla bath house or a plastic dishpan container that measures 6” x 6” x 12” may be filled with chinchilla dust 1–2 inches deep. It may be offered for an hour at a time or maintained with daily cleaning & weekly replacement of the dust. Sand should not be used as it may cause irritation of the skin or eyes & may damage the fur.

#3 Chinchilla Coats Make the Species Endangered

Chinchillas have very dense fur that has up to 60 hairs per follicle & 20,000 hairs per square inch which causes it to feel very soft & fluffy. This makes chinchilla fur desirable to fur traders who have over-hunted them to near extinction. Chinchillas are native to western South America & make their home in the rocky slopes of the Andes mountains. The species C. chinchilla is especially sought after for their higher quality fur & larger size than the common domesticated species C. lanigera. Chinchillas are currently on the endangered list & are protected in the wild. Their numbers continue to decline due to loss of habitat & excessive trapping.

#4 Chinchilla Lifespans Are Longer Than Many Small Pets

Chinchillas are expected to live between 10–15 years in captivity, though in the wild they are only expected to live 8–10 years due to the threat of predators including humans. This makes chinchillas much longer lived than other small pets such as guinea pigs or hamsters. One theory for why chinchillas have a longer lifespan than other small pet species is that their physical development is delayed in comparison. Another possible explanation is that chinchillas have fewer overall health concerns as a species.

#5 Chinchillas Are Pets for Every Family

Chinchillas can be great family pets due to their small size & quiet nature. While they are naturally clean & odorless, they can also be potty trained. They enjoy bonding with their pet parents or another same-gender chinchilla. They have simple dietary requirements, & are less active during the daytime, which is ideal for pet parents that are busy or away.

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