The Chinchillas life span is typically about 15 years but they have been known to live until 18 - 22 years so yo have to be very commited before taking on a Chinchilla.
Chinchillas are approximately 10 - 14 inches and the tail adds on another 5 - 6 inches to the length of their body.
The Chinchilla will become tame with gentle handling from a young age and can bond very closely with their owners although sometimes they do not like to be held or cuddled, which was the case with Minty, my Wilson White Chinchilla. They are a very active and playful animal, they can be kept singly and usually will do fine as a same sex pair especially if they are littermates or introduced at a very young age.
Chinchillas are nocturnal so please bear in mind that they will be most active in the evening/night and should be kept quiet throughout the day. They prefer a consistent routine for feeding and can get very stressed if their routine is changed. As they are very active, Chinchillas must have a roomy cage for exercise and plenty of toys for playtime. Chinchillas do need a variety of toys to keep them busy especially items for chewing to ensure their teeth are kept in good condition. They must also have regular access to a dust bath.
The Chinchilla require a diet made up of grass or hay along with food for Chinchillas. They can be fed treats but only in moderation, apples, raisins, grapes and vegetables are quite acceptable. The digestive system of a Chinchilla is very sensitive so any change of diet must be introduced gradually.
Remember, Chinchillas must gain your trust so you must be very patient and gentle with them.
CHINCHILLA CHECK LIST
*LARGE CAGE WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS/WOODEN SHELVES
*FOOD BOWL
*WATER BOTTLE
*CHINCHILLA FOOD & HAY
*WOODEN TOYS
*SAND BATH & CHINCHILLA SAND
*CUTTLEFISH
*BRUSH OR COMB
