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Chinchillas are small, crepuscular creatures that are quite active at dusk and dawn but quiet and restful throughout the day. Natives of South America, these cute little rodents like a routine. They want to eat at the same time, play at the same time, hunt at the same time, and sleep at the same time every day and night, if they can help it.
When handled from a young age, they can become adjusted to handling and tend to enjoy spending time around humans. That said, they do not show affection in the same way that the average dog or cat does. They may, however, occasionally rest on their owners when being handled during the day, which can feel like snuggling. There are two different species of chinchillas and many different colors to choose from. Let us explore all the options below.
The Two Different Chinchilla Species
There are long-tailed chinchillas and short-tailed chinchillas. There are a few differences between the species, but most pet chinchillas originate from the long-tailed species. Here is what you need to know:
The Long-Tailed Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera)
This chinchilla species has thick, dense fur that is designed to keep them warm in colder climates. Due to this adaptation to their natural habitat, they are prone to overheating if kept in a hot and humid climate. They have large dark eyes, big in-set ears, pouchy cheeks, and fleshy footpads.
Their agile legs make it easy for them to get around, allowing them to hop swiftly and stand up strongly. Long-tailed chinchillas grow to be between 9 and 14 inches in length as adults and typically have long, bushy tails that make them look cute and cuddly. These rodents can weigh up to 1.5 lbs as adults.
Most long-tailed chinchillas in the wild can be found in the mountains throughout Chile today. They love the higher elevations and can happily live in places with elevations of up to about 16,000 feet. Long-tailed chinchillas mostly feed on roots, moss, grass, and twigs. However, they are known to grub on things like bird eggs and insects from time to time.
This chinchilla species is used to living in huge packs of family members. It is not unheard of for these animals to live with hundreds of others at any time. Females are typically more dominant than males, and they can be aggressive toward each other, especially if they do not grow up together.
The Short-Tailed Chinchilla (Chinchilla brevicaudata or Chinchilla chinchilla)
Also referred to as the Bolivian or Peruvian chinchilla, this rodent species is the short-tailed chinchilla and is quite rare. This breed of chinchilla is considered endangered, so you will not find them sitting around in pet stores. Their physical characteristics are quite like those of the long-tailed chinchilla, but they tend to have thicker shoulders and shorter tails.
They tend to burrow themselves underground to sleep and keep themselves protected from the outdoor elements during the harsh winter months. They can be found in the Andes mountains throughout Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Unfortunately, the short-tailed chinchilla is farmed for their fur because it is soft, luxurious, and dense, hence why they are endangered. This rodent’s native countries have made efforts to ban the farming of them internationally through conservation processes.
The 6 Different Colors
Both species of chinchillas come in a variety of different colors, out of which we chose the most common ones. Here is what you should understand about color variation before choosing a new long-tailed chinchilla to call your own.
1. White
White chinchillas carry genes that suppress the expression of color, making them mostly white, although their ears may be darker in tone than the rest of their bodies, depending on specific genetics. Truly, white chinchillas do not have yellow or beige coloring. However, they may look like they have a silvery hue on the ends of their fur when the sunlight hits them. In general, you will not find anything but white fur on this rodent.
2. Black Velvet
While mostly black, this color of chinchilla has lighter sides, sometimes even white. The area around the mouth tends to be slightly lighter, too. Many black velvet chinchillas have white and black striped feet and small white patches on their bellies. But even from a close distance, these little rodents look almost completely black.
3. Beige
This color chinchilla looks more like the color of champagne than anything else. Their belly is usually brighter than the rest of the body, and their eyes look lighter than most other chinchillas. Some say that their eyes are a purple hue, while others think of them more as gray.
4. Purple
Violet chinchillas have a soft, silvery-purple hue that becomes more pronounced as they mature. This is the result of the recessive violet gene, and when combined with the ebony gene, it creates a deeper, more uniform purple shade often called violet wrap. Their bellies are usually a soft gray, rather than white, due to the influence of the ebony gene. Because the violet gene is recessive, both parents must carry it to produce violet offspring. However, breeders avoid pairing two violet chinchillas to avoid narrowing the gene pool, which can lead to weaker genetics over time.
5. Brown
Brown chinchillas typically result from breeding a black velvet chinchilla with a beige one. This combination produces a rich, velvety brown coat that covers most of the body. They usually have white or cream-colored bellies, mouths, and paws, creating a soft contrast against their darker fur. The overall texture and tone of their coat give them a smooth, plush appearance.
6. Grey
The grey chinchilla is all-natural. There is no breeding or human intervention to make sure that these animals turn out a beautiful blend of black and white that creates a deep gray hue. These chinchillas typically have white underbellies, like most others.
- Related Read: How Much Does It Cost to Own a Chinchilla?
Our Final Thoughts
There are many gorgeous chinchillas out there waiting to be part of a loving household that will pay attention to them and offer them the quiet, safe space that they need to sleep during the day. These are perfect pets for adults who have some time in the evenings to spend with them. Overall, they require dedication and care, no matter what type of family environment they grow up in. Are you preparing to adopt a chinchilla of your very own? If so, what color?
Related reads:
- When Do Chinchillas Sleep, & How Much Sleep Do They Need?
- How Many Babies Do Chinchillas Have in a Litter?
- Where to Buy a Chinchilla? (Plus Overview of the Best Places)
Featured Image Credit: Luniaka Maria, Shutterstock
