Chinchilla

Just like its direct relative, the degu, this hole digging rodent originates from the Andes mountains, mostly from Chile. It puts modest demands on its food: it does not need much more than some grasses, seeds and the bark of shrubs that grow on the arid slopes.

It distinguishes itself by its beautiful, silky fur which is exceptionally smooth and dense, almost without a specific direction of hair growth. This made it a much wanted furbearer and it was threatened with eradication for years. Special chinchilla breeding farms put an end to this. Unfortunately, this way the well-being of the individual animal has been sacrificed to commerce.

As a pet a chinchilla is a huge disappointment. It is a crepuscular animal which makes it less favourable as a companion. Being a group animal it cannot bear loneliness very well, which will result in deviant behaviour, such as running around its cage in circles or an extreme urge to gnaw, which, if given half the chance, will be taken out on your furniture. The mess produced by its favourite pastime, taking a sand bath, also brings about much irritation. Add to this its complicated diet, which must be weighed meticulously, and care (chinchillas are stress-prone, and need an absolutely draft-free environment), and the fact that their dense fur often causes their owners to have an allergic reaction to them, and the conclusion is obvious: Chinchillas are not at all suitable pets.

Information about chinchilla shelters can be found on different web pages, among others on: www.vida-nueva.nl.