Chinchillas

 
Do you know what a chinchilla is? Do you know why a chinchilla is called a chinchilla? A chinchilla is a small furry animal in the rodent family. These rodents have been popular since the 16th century, because of their rich, velvet like fur. They are called chinchillas because they were named after the Chincha people. (The name chinchilla literally means little Chincha). The Chincha people of the Andes once wore its dense, velvet-like fur. Chinchillas have a fascinating natural history, and the story of their decimation and recovery is one that causes people to consider animal rights. Chinchillas are bred for their fur, but they are also raised as pets.

Historically, colonies of wild chinchillas were found in Bolivia, Chile, and Peru, but now, the colonies only found in Chile. Chinchilla population was decimated during the late 19th and 20th century, because their immense popularity in the fur trade. People started to understand how the chinchilla’s fur got from the chinchilla onto the fur owner’s body, so they started to wear various other furs, like rabbit, mink, fox, anything other than chinchilla fur.

Chinchillas have many different types of colors. Chinchillas have approximately 60 hairs sprouting from each follicle. Some of the lighter colors are white sapphire, white violet, pink white, tan white, white, wilson white, stone white, ressesive white, beige, tower beige, royal blue, charcoal, blue diamond, ultra violet, violet wrap, pearl, beige violets, and sakrison. Chinchilla fur is extremely soft which led to extinction for one of the species. Though it is illegal to hunt wild chinchillas, people still continue hunt them because of the luxurious fur.  Between 1895 and 1921 over 3 million chinchillas were exported from Chile. Some authors reported that more than 21 million chinchillas were killed between 1840 and 1916. In 1916 chinchillas were believed to be extinct until a rediscovery of a wild chinchilla population in Chile in 1975.

Chinchillas are not the best type of pets for children who don’t understand that chinchillas don’t like to be touched. Chinchillas can be fine pets to older children, those who can understand the chinchilla’s feelings. Chinchillas have a really good memory so, if you frighten them, they will remember you for a very long time. Always approach a chinchilla quietly because if you approach too loudly, the chinchilla can get frightened and seek shelter. These rodents love to chew. If you use a wire cage, the chinchilla can chew its way out. I recommend putting cardboard in the cage for gnawing purposes. Giving cardboard to chinchillas is like giving bones to dogs. However, it’s very important that chinchillas don’t gnaw on too much cardboard. If they eat too much, it can be very unhealthy for them and they can’t digest properly. It is important to protect chinchillas. They shouldn’t be killed just for their fur.