Chinchillas are some of the cutest bundles of fluff around. Be warned though, they do have very sharp teeth. Their coat is soft and dense and their temperament is well-mannered, making chinchillas very good pets. Could you resist owning a chinchilla as a pet after looking through these adorable photos? We've paired some of the pictures with some interesting facts as well to convince you further!
Chinchillas are nocturnal creatures - they tend to be mostly awake at night and typically sleep throughout the day.
They are compassionate animals. If a female is unable to produce milk, another female is able to adopt her babies.
They are very sensitive to heat and humidity. Their home should be cool and dry.
Chinchillas teeth never stop growing. They can grow as much as 12 inches per year.
Their fur is soft and luxurious. They have long been hunted for their fur, not for their meat. A single follicle can grow as much as 50 to 80 hairs.
Despite their big eyes, chinchillas are unable to see well. Consequently they navigate with their whiskers, which can grow up to half the length of the body. This helps them feel the environment around them.
The fur of a chinchilla is incredibly dense. They clean their fur by taking a dust bath to help get rid of the oils and dirt. They roll in the dust playfully while bathing.
Chinchillas can shed their fur in large clumps if they feel threatened or under attack, known as a fur slip. Despite this action, the fur will grow back completely in just 6 months.
Chinchillas are sexually mature by the time they are ready to wean at 8 weeks old.
Chinchillas use their tail for balance and are able to jump and climb onto high places.
