Chinchilla
ExploreMammals
Chinchilla
Chinchilla
Chinchillas are fluffy rodents with the softest fur in the world. They are active and love to jump and climb.
Habitat: Indoor cages with shelves and space for climbing.
Appearance
The Chinchilla has exceptionally soft, dense fur, typically slate gray with white underparts, and large, dark eyes. It possesses a bushy tail, prominent rounded ears, and small, nimble paws, distinctly different from other rodents by its incredibly plush coat.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyChinchillidaeGenusChinchilla
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Chinchillas have the densest fur of any land mammal, with up to 60 hairs per follicle!
They can squirt urine or release a patch of fur to distract and escape from predators.
They use over 11 different calls, including chirps, grunts, and barks, to communicate.
Wild chinchillas live in large family groups called "herds," sometimes with 100 members!
Special abilities
Ability
Fur Release Defense
Chinchilla can shed clumps of fur when grabbed, allowing them to escape predators quickly and safely.
Ability
Agile Cliff Climber
Chinchillas can jump high and scale rocky terrain with powerful hind legs and a balancing tail.
Ability
Dense Fur Cleanse
Chinchilla has uniquely dense fur that requires regular dust baths to stay clean, healthy, and insulated.
Ability
Ever-Growing Grinders
Chinchilla's teeth grow continuously, so they must gnaw on tough vegetation to keep them from overgrowing.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 22-38 cm
- Weight
- 0.4-0.8 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-18 years
- Top Speed
- 20 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1-3
- Gestation
- 111 days
Diet & Feeding
Chinchillas munch on tough plants, like grasses and leaves, to wear down their ever-growing teeth.
Primary Foods
- grasses
- leaves
- roots
- lichen
- cacti fruits
- seeds
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Andean Fox
Lycalopex culpaeus
A main predator in their natural high-altitude habitat.
eaten by
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle
Geranoaetus melanoleucus
A large bird of prey that hunts small mammals.
eats
Ichu Grass
Stipa ichu
A common hardy grass that forms a key part of their diet.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Domesticated
Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Keep them cool and handle gently, as they can be delicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Chinchilla?
22-38 cm
How much does Chinchilla weigh?
0.4-0.8 kg
How long does Chinchilla live?
10-18 years
How fast can Chinchilla move?
20 km/h
What does Chinchilla eat?
Chinchillas munch on tough plants, like grasses and leaves, to wear down their ever-growing teeth.
Where is Chinchilla usually found?
Indoor cages with shelves and space for climbing.
How does Chinchilla hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Chinchilla usually have?
1-3
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