Chinchilla

CHINCHILLA

"Kangaroo"
Chinchilla

CLASSIFICATION

The chinchilla is a small rodent belonging to the family Chinchillidae. Chinchillas resemble small, short-eared, long-tailed rabbits. The animal is about 38 cm (15 in) long, with a tail of 13-15 cm (5-6 in). It weighs up to 1 kg (2.25 lb). The fur is blue, pearl, or gray, with darker markings and yellow-white underparts. The head is wide, with large eyes.

RANGE

Chinchillas live at elevations of 2,700-5,500 m (9,000-18,000 ft) in the Andes of South America. Cold winds whip through the high Andes and few plants cover the rugged mountains. The cold does not bother the small rodent because it is covered with thick fur. Chinchilla fur is very soft because it is fine with more than one hair growing from each hair follicle.

HABITAT

Chinchillas live on rocky mountains where moisture is scarce. Their padded unclawed feet are adapted for hopping and easily moving over the rugged terrain.

DIET

Wild chinchillas are crepuscular, feeding in the morning and in the evening, coming out of hiding places amoung the rocks to eat bark, grasses and herbs. Sitting up , they hold their food in their forepaws as they gnaw on it. They do not drink much water because they get most of the moisture they need from the plants they eat.

GESTATION

Chinchillas are born in litters of one to four young. They have fur at birth.

LONGEVITY

15 to 25 years in captivity

CONSERVATION

Long ago, Indians of South America used the chinchila's soft fur for blankets and clothes. Today, their soft, durable fur is still highly prized and wild chinchillas are an endangered species. Most chinchillas now are widely raised on fur farms to supply the world market.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Compton's New Media, Inc., 1993