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
Entries (RSS)
August 30th, 2007 at 8:03 am
I have two female chinchillas both are about five months old. One of them has changed in her behaviour. She seems to scrape at things that get in her way and she tries to bite the other one but only when they are out of their cage. Also, she used to let me pick her up but when I try now she just tries to get away. She cannot be pregnant because they are both females I have double checked this….Could it just be 'Time of the Month'?
August 29th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Hello, I have had a Chinchilla for about 6 months now. I let my friend watch over him 2 months ago when I went to go visit my new niece. When I came back he started barking and jurks his head up like a spaz (sounds like the defense bark)
when I try to pick him up and when I move him. But if I stay still or let him run around on my shoulders or stomach he has no prob's I can even pet him with no prob its only when I act like I am going to pick him up.
I think my friend picked him up to hard and he is scared of being picked up any way of getting him to stop spaz barking?Sorry had to rush write the ?
He has a big cage I only have 1 chinchilla I feed him correctly and give him dust baths and he has alot of chew toys.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Anna,
Males and females can get along with each other. Most problems come about when you mix genders.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
I was reading your site and i was wondering if two male chinchillas get along. These two are littermates if that makes any difference.
June 3rd, 2007 at 3:13 am
Melinda:
I am just reading this site for the first time, so I apologize for responding so long after your post. Is your chin still squealing?
I've had chinchillas for 5 or 6 years now, and have a total of 4 males (2 standard, 2 ebony). In recent weeks, my boys have done some squealing also, like they are in pain. I came to investigate and sometimes smelled something "funny." I realized they were having gas and set out to figure out what I needed to stop feeding them. (Their droppings were normal.)
It turned out that once I stopped feeding them dried apples, the squealing (and the "funny" smell) has stopped. I'd always been told that dried fruit was fine to give chins–just not too much. They used to get one piece a day. However, after a few days without the apples, I gave them each a SMALL piece. There was more squealing from someone that night. I will not be feeding the poor things dried apples anymore.
If your sweetie squeals again, I'd look into the foods (particularly the treats) she is getting. Be careful not to change her diet too suddenly, though. Hope this helps!