Class: Mammalia

Order: Rodentia

Scientific Name: Chinchilla laniger

Range: Historical range 1200-1800 ft. in the Andes. Now confined to northern Chile.

Habitat: Rocky, barren area

Diet: Wild: Vegetation,: grass, nuts, leaves, roots, lichen. Zoo: Guinea pig pellets, fruit, vegetables.

Gestation: 111 days.

Litter: 1-6

Description: Head and body length is 9-14 inches with a 3-6 inch tail. Females are larger weighing 1.5-2 lbs., males rarely exceeding 1 lb. They have extremely dense, soft, silky fur which may grow to 1.5 inches long. They may have as many as 40 hairs growing from one follicle. Color is pearly or brown-grey fur with black tips on the upper partsThey have conspicuous long whiskers with which they can feel their way in dark tunnels.They are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, but can be found climbing and jumping among the rocks on a sunny day. Historically colonies up to 100 lived together, often on north-facing slopes. Several pairs may share a den. They shelter in rocks and crevices or at the base of spiny plants. Fur is kept clean by rolling in sand or volcanic dust and then shaking it out. They sit on their haunches and hold food to eat in the front paws. Moisture is obtained from plant material and dew. Chinchillas are extremely endangered in the wild because of the fur trade. It requires a minimum of 140 pelts to make one coat.

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the Conservation Education Programs at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.