Only consider buying a chinchilla, however, if you are prepared to give it everything it needs:-
*a large cage with shelves for it to climb on
*Heavy food bowl and chinchilla pellets
*Water bottle
*Block of softwood to nibble on (NOT HARDWOOD- THIS IS POISONOUS TO THEM)
*Pumice stone/cuttlebone
*Hay rack
*Special chinchilla bath/ tray
*Chinchilla sand
*Metal tray to go under cage
*Lots of time and attention!
LIFESPAN
Chinchillas can live for up to 20 years in captivity, if well looked after. Most, however, live for about 18 yrs. You should think carefully about this if you are going to buy one. Remember that you will have to look after it for a long time.
TEMPERAMENT
Chinchillas are by nature nervous animals. They will become more friendly and tame with time and a few occasional treats!
GENRE
Female chinchillas seem to take a bit longer to bond with the owner than male ones, but this shouldn't be a problem. Females are more readily available.
COLOUR
Chinchillas come in many different colours. The most prevalent colour is the standard grey. They make up 90% of the chinchilla population! Here are the other colours available:-
Beige (homozygous/heterozygous)
White
Pink-white (see picture!)
Ebony
Charcoal
Violet
Sapphire
Brown velvet
Black velvet
Tan
PRICES
Standard grey - £60 in most pet stores
Beige - £70 in most pet stores
All other colours - £70-£160 (due to rarity)
Do try and purchase your chinchilla from a good breeder if you can, because they will almost certainly be cheaper more tame and more friendly.
EXCERCISE
Chinchillas need to be allowed to run around outside the cage. It is cruel to keep them in a cage for too long. They are very active animals and love to explore and run around. They must be under your supervision AT ALL TIMES. Try to sit on the floor because they tend to dart off when you are not expecting it and you could stand on them. Many chinchillas have been hurt this way, so be careful. They chew everything so keep wires well away.
NAMES
Stuck for a name? Try these!
Dusty
Sandi
Fudge
Muffin
Snuffles
Trevor (lol)
Gizmo
Twix
Chi- chi
Chiquita
Fluffy
Cara
Dixie
Bob (lol again!)
ARE CHINCHILLAS SUITABLE FOR SMALL CHILDREN?
NO. They don't like to be handled a lot and small children would probably try to stroke their thick, soft fur. They could get bitten. Chinchillas are also nocturnal and wake up around 5pm.
POINTLESS CHINCHILLA FACTS!
1. Chinchilla fur is the densest of any animal.
2. Therefore, no creatures like fleas can survive in it.
3. Chinchillas are more intelligent than rats.
4. Baby chinchillas are called kittens.
5. Light coloured chinchillas develop cancer on their ears if placed in direct sunlight (so keep them away from the window!)
TREATS
Chinchillas can be given very occasional treats. Here is a list of things you can give them:-
raisins
washed rosebuds
apple
plum
pear
small pieces of toast crust
IF YOU WANT ANY MORE INFORMATION OR YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS FOR CHINCHILLA NAMES I CAN PUT ON THIS PAGE, E-MAIL ME AT THE ADDRESS AT THE TOP. : )
ALSO, PLEASE, PLEASE SIGN MY GUESTBOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE, I'D REALLY LIKE TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT OTHER CHINCHILLA OWNERS AND THEIR CHINCHILLAS AND WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS SITE!
