Have you ever had a chance to meet fascinating creatures with adorable appearances and eccentric behavior? Yes, you guessed it right. Chinchillas are considered the most captivating rodents, and they have gained popularity because of their most demanded delicate, soft, and luxurious fur.
Among pet enthusiasts, these rodents are a center of attraction and have a lot of admirers. Indeed, these little furry friends require low maintenance, are quiet and clean, and have a longer lifespan. But these playful creatures share surprising hidden facts that their admirers should know. Let’s move further and explore the amusing facts of these little companions.
1. Baby Chinchillas Are Called Kits
The offspring of chinchillas are known as kits. They are native to South America and their litter size is 2 liters per year. The average weight of their kits is 1-2 ounces. An interesting fact about their kits is that they were born with open eyes and fully furred. Shortly after their birth, they can walk and explore the surroundings. After being born, they are cleaned and nursed by their mother.
Do You Know: The chinchilla’s ancestors first appeared 41 million years ago in South America.
2. Chinchillas Like Dust Baths
These rodents have their specific bathing needs. Unlike rodents who like water baths, these little furry companions need a dust bath. Watching them while rolling around the dust is a therapeutic and comical sight.
Dust baths help remove excessive oil and moisture from their fur, hence keeping the fur shiny and soft.
Water bathing for these rodents is not recommended because once their fur gets wet, it will take a long time to dry out and, as a result, causes skin issues like inflammation. Excessive dust baths result in the drying out of their skin. Therefore, an occasional dust bath is recommended. Changes in dust should be made regularly to prevent any further damage.
Do You Know: A group of chinchillas is called a herd.
3. Chinchilla Coats Make the Species Endangered
The beautiful, luxurious, soft, and fluffy fur of these rodents has contributed to making them an endangered species. The fur of these rodents is in increased demand because of its uniqueness. The fashion industry has a great demand. Therefore, people are starting to trap them.
It resulted in overhunting, and today, these little furry rodents are included in the endangered species list. These rodents are protected in the wild but decline continuously because of habitat loss and overhunting.
Do You Know: Female chinchillas have an estrus cycle of 38 days.
4. Chinchilla Lifespans Are Longer Than Many Small Pets
The lifespan of these furry companions is a little longer than the other rodents. In captivity, the estimated age is 10-15 years; in the wild, the average age is 8-10 years. The shorter lifespan in the wild is because of habitat loss, environmental fluctuations, and predator threat.
The life expectancy of these rodents can increase by up to years with proper care and attention. The estimated age of the oldest chinchilla was 29 years in captivity.
Do You Know: Their hind legs are twice as long as their front legs
5. Chinchillas Are Pets for Every Family
These little rodents are considered fascinating pets for families of all shapes. The gentle and friendly behavior of these pets has attracted the attention of pet enthusiasts. Besides this, they are low-maintenance rodents that require ample
space, a nutritious diet, and regular socialization to develop and grow.
They are odorless, have a quiet and clean nature, and bond well with their owner. These characteristics make them a good pet for every family.
Do You Know: They have four clawed toes on each foot.
What makes a chinchilla unique?
The soft, dense fur, longer lifespan, nocturnal behavior, low maintenance, and forever-growing nature make them a unique rodent. Besides this, these rodents are considered an endangered species found in rarity.
Wrapping Up!
Summing up, these rodents are considered fascinating pets with various exciting qualities. Their charming kits, love for dust baths, four clawed toes, and hind legs make them unique pets among their admirers. Their babies are called kits; they love dust baths, are endangered species, and have longer lifespans. These are some interesting chinchilla facts. It is essential to remember that these little furry fellows require proper care and commitment for a healthy and happy life. Start your joyful, and excited journey with these little furry companions.
FAQS!
The Chinchillas are considered the softest animals because of their smooth, luxurious, and dense fur. There are 60 hairs per follicle in their fur.
The original name of long-tailed chinchillas is C.lanigeria, while the short-tailed chinchillas are called C. brevicaudata.
It is not easy to identify the accurate population of these rodents, but studies suggest that there are now only 10,000 chinchillas left in the world.
Yes, chinchillas are rare and on the endangered list. The total estimation of these rodents is 10,000 worldwide
Yes, they do exist. They are not in truly purple shade; their fur has a hue of lavender, therefore called purple chinchillas.
These rodents are known because of their social and playful nature. They make a good bond with their owners.
