Content
- Characteristics and character of domestic chinchillas
- Chinchilla capillary structure
- Food for domestic chinchillas
- Most common diseases of domestic chinchillas
- Special care of domestic chinchillas
- Life expectancy of domestic chinchillas
- Domestic Chinchilla Mutations
THE chinchilla as a pet is an excellent decision. Domestic chinchillas have little to do with wild chinchillas. There is an extraordinary variety of hybrids of different colors, sizes and morphologies. In nature there are only two species: the short-tailed chinchilla and the lanigera chinchilla or long-tailed chinchilla. If you are thinking of adopting a chinchilla as pet, don't miss this PeritoAnimal article where we'll explain basic care.
Characteristics and character of domestic chinchillas
Chinchillas are small sized rodents. Females, at 800 g, are larger than males, at 600 g, and both are larger than wild chinchillas. Are delicate and little aggressive animals.
Its fur is very dense and silky, despite being incomparable to wild species. Precisely due to the particularity of its capillary structure, it is not convenient to use the animal in excess. Especially if it's children, who naturally get emotional in front of such beautiful animals and want to pet them.
In general we talk about very sociable pets who, once they gain confidence, are really sweet and caring. They like to be caressed and rewarded with treats.
Also if deal with intelligent animals since they recognize you and will show you how they feel: happy, active, sad or sleepy. They communicate through squeaks or small bites of affection.
Chinchilla capillary structure
Unlike humans, each hair has its own hair follicle, chinchillas have 50 or more hairs in each of their follicles. This is a defensive feature of wild chinchillas that domestics conserve. Obviously, this hair is weak and they lose it by friction if they get too clean.
Wild chinchillas, when they feel threatened by a predator - usually a maned wolf - convulse their body, which releases many hairs. These hairs get into the animal's muzzle, forcing it to sneeze and, in that time, the chinchilla manages to hide and stay safe.
In order for the chinchilla's fur to shine as it deserves, place a tray with fine sand in its cage, available at any pet store, in order to give it up. sand baths. In addition to liking it, this will allow your fur to look beautiful and shiny. But be careful that the small grains of sand do not get in your eyes.
Food for domestic chinchillas
domestic chinchillas are herbivores. They can eat any type of edible vegetable and some small insect exceptionally. They are very fond of alfalfa and they also need water. It is not common for chinchillas to ingest their droppings, unlike many other rodents.
Also, to avoid lack of vitamins, we recommend that you offer food for chinchillas, for sale in pet stores. It's a very complete food with which you'll be sure you don't have any food deficits.
Consume about 25 g of food daily of any type of vegetable or feed. It gives off fibrous vegetables excellently, but those with a high water content (such as lettuce) are best avoided.
Most common diseases of domestic chinchillas
At most common diseases of the domestic chinchillas are:
- heat stroke
- sand in the eyes
- stomach problems
- ringworm in the skin and hair
- teeth problems
- parasites
However, these problems do not occur if the diet is adequate, the bed of white wood chips is renewed weekly and calcium carbonate is provided to dry-clean with this powder, which should be renewed every 10 days. The water must be changed frequently.
Special care of domestic chinchillas
Domestic chinchillas are very sensitive to heat strokes, and may even die as a result of it. They need their cages to be in cool, dry places. They need dry environments protected from drafts and moisture.
On the other hand, they don't like to be manipulated by strangers. If this happens, they tremble to shed fur, as it is their instinct. They can even let go of the tail if they feel threatened, just like with iguanas.
In addition, it must prepare your cage in order to cover all your needs. When the chinchilla is a baby, a standard cage is sufficient. However, once adulthood is reached, you will have to purchase a larger size, with different floors if possible and large. As mentioned in the previous point, you should put a bed of white wood chips that you should change every week. You will need to acquire a feeder and water cooler, as well as a nest to take refuge.
Learn more about chinchilla care in this article.
Life expectancy of domestic chinchillas
Domestic chinchillas live much longer than wild ones. The average life expectancy of domestic chinchillas is 10-15 years, with cases of life expectancy close to 25 years.
Chinchillas are animals that get stressed easily. If you have a serene and calm life, your life will be much longer. They are nocturnal animals, so at night is when the domestic chinchilla registers more activity. To cover this activity, you can put an exercise wheel in your cage.
Domestic Chinchilla Mutations
They exist over 20 mutant hybrid species that come from the only 2 wild species existing in nature. In turn, each mutation diversifies into countless subtypes that not only differ in color but also give them different phenotypes. There are large, dwarf and medium sized chinchillas.
With colors ranging from black to white. Some have black eyes, others red and unlimited possibilities due to the genetic alteration introduced by chinchilla breeders.
If you decide to have one as a pet, know that it is a docile, clean and calm animal and that you will be making an excellent decision choosing a domestic chinchilla. But remember that pet stores are the ideal places to inform you and guarantee their quality and origin.