Chinchilla is the name of two small animals known for their soft, thick fur. Chinchillas are rodents, small mammals with teeth suited for gnawing. Their chunky bodies measure about 11 to 18 inches (28 to 46 centimeters) long, including the bushy tail. Females grow larger than males. The animals’ thick, shiny, blue-gray fur is 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) or more in length. People have long used chinchilla pelts to make soft, luxurious coats.
The two types of chinchillas are the long-tailed chinchilla and short-tailed chinchilla. They are native to the snow-capped Andes Mountains, especially the high valleys from Peru and northern Bolivia to southern Chile. Their heavy fur helps keep them warm in these cold, rocky environments. Long, strong hind limbs enable them to run and jump easily on rocky surfaces. Wild chinchillas live in large groups, sleeping during the day in dens. The animals come out at night to search for such food as grasses, bulbs, and roots.
Chinchillas begin to breed at about 9 to 12 months of age. Females typically give birth twice a year to two or three young at a time. Some individuals may bear as many as seven babies at a time. The babies weigh about 11/4 ounces (35 grams) each and are born with their eyes open, fully furred, and with all their 20 teeth. Young chinchillas reach adult size at around 12 months of age. In the wild, chinchillas may live about 10 years.
People have long valued chinchillas. The Chincha and Inca peoples ate chinchillas and used their fur for clothing. Spanish explorers who came to South America in the 1500’s named the animals after the Chincha. They introduced the fur into Europe.
By the 1940’s, demand for chinchilla fur had become so great that the animals were almost wiped out in the wild. As a result, people in Europe and North and South America began captive breeding programs to supply chinchilla fur to the clothing industry. Several South American countries also passed laws to protect the remaining wild chinchilla populations. Today, the animals remain extremely rare in their natural habitats.
People also keep chinchillas as pets. The animals make relatively clean, gentle, and quiet companions. Owners should feed pet chinchillas scientifically prepared pellets, as well as grains, vegetables, and timothy hay. Chinchillas may receive fruit as a special treat. Pet chinchillas may live as long as 20 years.
