Chinchillas make a variety of sounds. The most common is a "barking" sound that they make to indicate that they're scared and to warn other chinchillas of danger. On occasion, our chinchillas will bark if there's a particularly loud car going by the house or if there's an unusual noise outside.
Other sounds include a soft cooing that might indicate playfulness and comfort. A very quiet chirping can be heard while the chinchilla is exploring a new place. Some sounds will originate from the grinding of teeth, which they will sometimes do after eating. They also sometimes sneeze audibly, sometimes from the fine dust in their bath.
For a better understanding of the sounds that chinchillas make, check out Michael's collection of chinchilla recordings.
Contact and Communication Sounds
Mating Sounds
Baby Sounds
Protest and Defence Sounds
Rage and Anger
Warning and Alarm Calls (barking chins)
Chewing and Gnawing
Sources:
Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia
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May 9th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Debra,
We've never heard of chinchillas snoring. Not sure that means there's a problem though. Any other odd behavior? Is your chinchilla eating and drinking normal amounts?
May 7th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
Hi,
I want to know if chins snore. My chin makes snoring sounds and when I first heard it I thought it would be a breathing problem but it only makes this sound when it sleeps. Is there any need for concern?
February 13th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Melinda,
Thanks for the kind words. We always like to hear that people have found the information here useful.
The sound you described is an odd one. We've heard "barking" noises, teeth-grinding noises, and short squeals. None of those sound like what you described though. The short squeals are common for our chinchillas in the morning as they're going to sleep in the wooden box we keep in their cage. It's short-lived and seems to be more of "get off my tail I'm trying to sleep" kind of sound.
February 13th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Hi there! I am a big fan of your website - you helped me put my chinchillas together! They're still very happy living together (two girls), but I had a question about a sound one of them (I assume) makes, usually at night.
I used to think it was because she was lonely or something - she made the sound before I got her a cage friend, but she still makes it. It's a really loud squeal - it's kind of prolonged (maybe a couple seconds long) and I have no idea what it's from; I've never seen her actually make the sound and I think she only makes it in the dark. She seems to be very normal otherwise - social, enjoys raisins and dust baths, eats fine, etc.
Any ideas?
November 14th, 2006 at 11:43 pm
Annette,
The only noise we know of that is loud enough to be heard from a different floor is what chinchilla owners call a bark. Not at all like a dog's, but a bark nonetheless.
It is usually done when a chinchilla fears something and wishes to emit a warning to other chinchillas. Ours make such sounds sometimes when the TV is loud or when there's bad weather. Sometimes they bark in the middle of the night for unknown reasons.
There isn't too much you need to do. Poking your head in to the room and speaking using the same tone you use when feeding or playing with them should provide all the re-assurance needed.