Chinchilla

Scientific name: Chinchilla lanigera
Size: 35-40cm long including tail
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Natural range: Andes Mountains

Housing

• large chinchilla or ferret type cage with at least one level
• social and should be housed in same sex pairs
• Bedding: aspen or corn cob
• Accessories: solid full-size ferret wheel, nest box, tubes, branches, wood chew

Food

• high quality commercial chinchilla pellet
• free access to timothy hay
• provide a cuttlebone for extra calcium
• add a multivitamin specifically formulated for chinchillas to water source once weekly
• fresh low-sugar fruits or veggies weekly

Breeding

• Maturity: 8-10 weeks old, but should not be bred until 1 year old
• Gestation: 109-120 days
• Litter size: 1-4
• both parents help raise the young
• young are born fully furred and eyes open within hours of birth
• should be fully weaned by 7-8 weeks old