| A popular exotic pet for many people today is the | | | | the cage floor is wire this is hard on the animals feet, |
| chinchilla. Chinchillas can be very good pets for some | | | | and somewhere in the cage you need to provide a |
| individuals, but less than optimum for others. Lets look a | | | | wooden platform for relief on the feet. The cage |
| little more at the animal and the care of the chinchilla to | | | | needs to placed in a quiet, cool, non-drafty part of your |
| see if it is the right exotic pet for you. | | | | home. |
| Chinchillas are small rabbit-sized crepuscular rodents | | | | To feed a chinchilla always provide a lot of good |
| who are native to the Andes in South America. The | | | | quality grass hay along with some pellets. The |
| name literally means "little Chinca" and the animals are | | | | digestive system of the animal is very sensitive, and |
| named after the Chinca who were known for wearing | | | | deviation from this diet should be little to none. Treats |
| the soft dense fur of the rodent. In the Andes, | | | | can be given on occasion, equaling no more than one |
| chinchillas live in burrows or crevices in the rocky arid | | | | teaspoon full per day. These can include fruits, |
| regions of the mountains. They live in colonies within | | | | vegetables, sunflower seeds, and rolled oats. At all |
| this environment where the larger females breed with | | | | times a water bottle, preferably glass, should be |
| the smaller males any time of year. They are | | | | available with fresh cool water for drinking. |
| extremely agile and can jump very high, and enjoy | | | | Chinchillas love to play, so provide some toys and |
| being mobile and exploration. | | | | maybe even a wheel to entertain your pet. Some |
| As pets, chinchillas are not generally good for families | | | | good toy choices are pesticide free wood chew toys, |
| with smaller children. The animal does not like to be | | | | wooden parrot toys, as well as willow based rabbit |
| held, and has small easily damaged bones. With a | | | | toys, and also a pumice block for chewing to aid in |
| lifespan of 15 -20 years, this is also a long-term | | | | keeping teeth short. |
| commitment. Chinchillas come in a variety of colors | | | | To tame a chinchilla, slowly build up confidence |
| and are also known for their very sensitive stomach | | | | between the animal and yourself. This can be a slow |
| which requires a specific diet for optimum health. | | | | process, be prepared to patiently interact with your pet |
| To setup a cage for a chinchilla you should start with a | | | | getting acquainted slowly. Treats and working at the |
| fairly large, multi-level wire or other non-chewable cage. | | | | speed of the animals acceptance of your presence, |
| A pull-out tray eases cleaning of the cage for you as | | | | and in no time you will have a very loyal pet. |
| well as elevates the animal from the dirty cage floor. If | | | | |