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