We've come across some interesting facts about chinchillas during our research. Here's a list of things that don't quite fit in with other pages on this site.
- Chinchilla fur is considered the softest in the world and is thirty times softer than human hair.
- Chinchillas must regularly bathe in dust or volcanic ash to remove oil and moisture that gathers in their thick fur.
- Chinchillas have the highest fur density of any land animal with more than 20,000 hairs per square cm. Their fur is so dense that skin parasites (such as fleas) cannot live on one lest they suffocate. Whereas humans grow one hair from each follicle, a chinchilla has more than fifty hairs from a single follicle.
- They are agile jumpers and can jump up to five feet above their head.
- Martha Stewart has 15 pet chinchillas.
- Chinchillas have no dander, which is the leading cause to pet related allergies.
Sources:
Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia
Chintasia
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December 25th, 2006 at 11:19 am
Tom,
Sorry, we've only ever had female chinchillas. We're not sure what the best course of action is in your case.
December 25th, 2006 at 10:35 am
I have a male that is spraying out of his cage. What can we do? Will neutering help? Thanks.
August 16th, 2006 at 11:10 am
Hi. I'm hoping to get a chinchilla real soon! What is a good age to get one at? Is it better to get a baby one or a 1 year old one?
July 25th, 2006 at 6:45 am
Tiffany,
Chinchillas need special food (not rabbit food), a cage large enough to house them, an exercise wheel, a room to run around in a couple of hours a night, and temperatures lower than 75 degrees with low humidity.
July 25th, 2006 at 12:57 am
What are the main things that are needed to take care of chinchillas?