Chinchilla

RSPCA

Chinchilla factfile

Chinchillas are soft-furred rodents with strong hind legs, large ears and a tail

which makes up about one third of their body length [1].

Chinchillas originate from the barren, rocky slopes of the Andes Mountains of

South America [2].

Chinchillas in the wild are endangered as they have been hunted for their pelts

to near extinction [3].

Insight into the biology and behaviour of chinchillas can help you to understand

your pet better, so check out our amazing facts!

1. Chinchillas are adapted to a mountainous

environment

•

Wild chinchillas are adapted to living in rock crevices or holes at elevations

over 4000m [4].

•

Chinchillas have exceptionally dense fur which is an adaptation to the cold

temperatures they are exposed to in their native environment [4]. Each hair

follicle has 60 to 90 individual hairs emerging from it [5]; humans typically have

one hair per follicle [6]!

•

Hairless fleshy footpads allow chinchillas to be agile and maintain their grip on

rocky surfaces [7].

•

Chinchillas’ red blood cells can take up more oxygen than other rodents or

rabbits, which helps them survive at high altitudes [8].

2. Chinchillas are prey animals

•

Chinchillas are prey animals and their natural response to a perceived threat is

to freeze or cower, and dart for cover. In captivity they will often try to wedge

themselves into a tight space for protection, mimicking their natural behaviour

to seek cover in rock crevices [9].

•

Chinchillas are able to lose large patches of fur; a process called ‘fur slip’. This

is a defence mechanism against predators, which results in the predator being

left with a tuft of fur while the chinchilla escapes. Fur slip can also occur in

captivity due to inappropriate handling [10].

RSPCA

3. Chinchillas are athletic

•

Chinchillas have long hind limbs which are adapted for leaping. They can jump

over six feet in height, and pet chinchillas have been reported to jump onto the

top of refrigerators [13]!

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