Chinchillas are great pets. Docile and easy to care for, they have the softest and densest fur of any animal. This thick fur is a necessity in the wild: the animals are native to the foothills of the Andes, where it's extremely cold. Physical Characteristics: - Adult size: 12" to 14"
- Weight: 1 to 1-1/2 pounds
- Lifespan: approximately 10 to 15 years
Colors: - Gray
- Black
- Albino
- Mosaic
- Beige
Diet: - Chinchilla pellets
- Treats, including greens, apples, and raisins
Housing: - Be sure your pet's cage doesn't have any plastic coating. If the chinchilla chews on it, it could cause serious damage.
- When housing your chinchilla, make sure there's a blanket in the cage. They like to curl up in it for security.
- A block of wood or a pumice stone will keep their teeth healthy and worn down.
Note: Chinchillas are nocturnal, so they need to be kept out of direct sunlight. Maintenance: - Fleas are not a problem. Their fur is so thick that fleas can't get in!
- They are very clean and have no odor.
- They bathe every day in volcanic ash. It absorbs oil from the skin and keeps their fur fluffy and clean.
Web sites for Chinchillas: Important Chinchilla Facts Small Pets Information
RESOURCES :
Chinchillas
Model: 0764109340
Author: Maike Roder-Thiede and Johann Brandstetter
Barrons Educational Series
Published May 1999
All About Chinchillas
Model: 0866221433
Author: Karen Zeinert
TFH Publications, 1988
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