Characteristics

Standard Gray Chinchilla Facts You Should Know...

• Chinchillas are rodents native to South America
• Chinchillas are most closely related to porcupines, guinea pigs, and agoutis.
• They use their front paws like fingers to hold their food.
• Their life span averages eight to twelve years.
• Chinchillas are herbivores.
• When a chinchilla is upset it will make spitting and growling noises.
• Females are usually larger than males.
• Chinchillas are nervous and sensitive animals. They are very strong willed and independent. If a young animal is raised up in a stressful environment (like a classroom or a noisy pet shop) it can live a “normal” life.
• Males are called bucks and females are called does.
• Baby chinchillas are nidifugous, meaning they are born fully developed and independent.
• When handling a chinchilla, grasp the base of its tail with one hand and put your other hand under the chinchilla’s belly to lift it up and sit it on your arm.
• Never pick up a chinchilla by the end of its tail or by its fur.
• Gray is the standard chinchilla color, however selective breeding has produced several other colors.

Source: Jack Hanna’s Ultimate Guide to Pets

Prepared by: Lucinda Miller, Leader, Ohio 4-H Small Animal Leadership Team