Monday, October 31, 2011

Chinchilla Facts - Basic Chinchilla Information

By Jack Sterling


Birthplace of the Chinchilla

Chinchillas are small rodents that come from the Andes mountains in South America. Its interesting name stands for "little Chincha", named after the Chicha people from the abovementioned Andes mountain range.

Two species of Chinchilla remain. There used to be a handful of different Chinchilla types, but they were either wiped out by means of hunting or through natural selection.

In the wilderness, chinchillas stay alongside one another in herds. They are generally seen in mountain crevices or burrows. Being a small, as well as not notably ferocious animal, the chinchilla maintains a wide selection of potential predators that it really has to stay clear of; such as snakes, dogs, skunks, as well as various birds of prey. In the event of an encounter, it protects itself from the predators by squirting urine and releasing tufts of fur, should it get injured or taken. Wild chinchillas dine on fresh fruits, vegetation, good sized bugs and plant seeds.

Chinchillas can select to reproduce during pretty much any time of the year. Their gestation time period lasts a remarkable 111 days, longer compared to the majority of rodents. Due to the extensive pregnancy period, chinchillas are born with open eyes along with a body full of fur. The actual litters average in between 1 and 2. A good number provide birth to twins.

Below you'll find a handful of interesting chinchilla facts

Chinchillas has a lifespan between 10 and 20 years. Thus far, the oldest specimen known reached an amazing 27 to 29 years of age.

When it comes to jumping, the chinchilla is up there with the best. It has been observed to jump up to 6 feet.

Their fur is very soft; an unlucky trait that caused an earlier species of the rodent to go extinct thanks to extreme hunting.

The chinchilla cannot sweat, so it needs to maintain its temperature below 80 (25C), otherwise it could get overheated. It has to direct heat to its large ears through the blood stream, so if you observe that your fuzzy companion suddenly started sporting crimson ears; it's time for you to cool it down.

Chinchillas are awake at nighttime and asleep during the day. Keep this in mind in case you're planning on placing your chinchilla in the bedroom.




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