4-H 365.28 OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

PROJECT IDEA STARTER Chinchillas by Travis West, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Ohio State University Extension and Gail Dick, Owner, Millermeade Farm’s Critter Connection. Reviewed by Lucinda B. Miller, Ph.D., Extension Specialist, Companion and Small Animal Programs, 4-H Youth Development, Ohio State University Extension

Chinchillas are rodents belonging to the family Chinchillidae, which includes four species of viscachas and two species of chinchillas. The two species of chinchillas are the Chinchilla laniger and Chinchilla brevicaudata. Wild chinchillas were originally native to the South American countries of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. They lived in naturally occurring rock clefts and dens, and would share their habitat with other rodents.

Chinchillas were prized by the native Inca Indians for The standard color of the chinchilla is gray, ranging their fur. In the 16th century, Spaniards moved into from very light to very dark. The underside of the South America and trapped the chinchillas almost body is a lighter color, and can almost appear white. to extinction. Today, all trade in wild chinchillas is Selective breeding has produced mutant strains prohibited. Chinchillas are raised for breeding stock, with beige, white, black, brown, silver, violet, or the pet market, or the fur trade. Their appearance, multicolored fur as some of the varieties. temperament, and easy maintenance have made Chinchillas communicate through vocalization. They them attractive as pets. make soft, cooing sounds of contentment. If they Chinchillas have compact bodies, bushy tails, large are alarmed or are showing signs of aggression, eyes and ears, and long whiskers. They have short they make short, barking noises. When upset, they front legs, and they use their paws like fingers to make spitting, growling sounds. Their warning cry hold their food. Their hind legs are longer and is a shrill, whistlelike sound. When frightened or strong, enabling them to hop with ease. Adults injured, they make mournful, babylike cries. typically weigh 1–2 pounds. Their body length is Once accustomed to a household, some chinchillas 10–14 inches, and their tail length is 5–7 inches. become intensely curious and like to explore the Females are generally larger than males. They have house. They might be entertained by household an average life expectancy of eight to 12 years. activity, and might even attempt to play with other Males (bucks) are generally smaller than females pets. Chinchillas can be nervous, sensitive animals. (does) when fully grown.

PLAN YOUR PROJECT Use this idea starter AND publication 4-H 365 Self-Determined Project Guide as the starting place for your 4-H self-determined project. TheSelf-Determined Project Guide is available from your county OSU Extension office or on the Web atohio4h.org/selfdetermined . You may choose to do a little or a lot depending on your level of interest. Be sure to register your project with your county OSU Extension office. – 2 –

If a chinchilla becomes frightened or overexcited, a defense mechanism known as “fur slip” can occur. Fur slip occurs when a chinchilla releases a patch of fur, which leaves behind a spot of bare skin. A chinchilla should never be grabbed by its tail because the fur and skin of the tail could be removed, leaving bone exposed on the tail. Always handle your chinchilla gently and carefully to avoid fur slip. When you approach your pet, speak softly and move slowly. While fully supporting its body, A one-week-old chinchilla. gently lift your chinchilla and let it sit on your hand or arm. Chinchillas are most comfortable Keep the cage against a wall so Handle your animal daily. It will at a constant temperature of that no one can walk behind or become friendlier and more 50–55 degrees Fahrenheit; around the chinchilla. Also, keep trusting with frequent handling. therefore, they should be caged the cage where there is plenty of Chinchillas are generally not as indoor house pets. Adults can light, but don’t keep it in direct vicious, but you must be gentle tolerate temperatures just above sunlight. with your pet and not scare it. Get freezing, but they do not do well Chinchillas are herbivores. The your chinchilla accustomed to the in stagnant or drafty areas. The diet of wild chinchillas consists of transport cage that you will use to chinchilla is sensitive to heat and grasses, leaves, fruits, bark, and take it to judging. Cover the cage is stressed by temperatures hotter certain species of cacti in their while in transport and until it is than 80 degrees Fahrenheit. natural habitat. Chinchillas need your time to exhibit, eliminating Cages should be at least 30 roughage to remain healthy. Feed as much stress as possible to the inches high, 28 inches wide, and your pet high-quality commercial chinchilla. 20 inches deep. Chinchillas are chinchilla pellets. These are made very active animals and need of compressed alfalfa meal, milled room to exercise. They like to oats and corn, molasses, soybean jump, hop, and climb. The cage oil, vitamins, and minerals. Put must also be large enough to your chinchilla’s pellets in a self- allow for a pan of dust used for feeder or in a heavy crock, and grooming (see below). feed your animal in the evening. Chinchillas love treats and prefer An ideal cage for a chinchilla is a them over their regular diet. Offer commercially made animal cage treats during playtime or when with a hard plastic solid tray and taming your chinchilla. Digestive wire sides extending up from the disturbances are common plastic, and an attached wire top. in chinchillas, and misuse of You can provide your chinchilla treats can cause diarrhea and with a den or hide box so it can other problems. Chinchillas, hide if it is disturbed. You can also like other rodents, continually place inside the cage branches or gnaw. Purchase chew toys made platforms for perches so that your especially for chinchillas. Proper handling of a chinchilla. chinchilla can sit, climb, and jump. – 3 –

Chinchillas are generally healthy. AREAS OF INTEREST AND ☐☐ Purchase the appropriate items Poor management practices and THINGS TO DO for feeding. Know the signs of inadequate diet are frequent Every self-determined 4-H project your chinchilla when it’s not sources of health problems. can be broken down into areas eating or drinking properly. Research alternative methods Anything deviating from the of interest. These are the specific of feeding and watering. normal routine can indicate that things members want to address your chinchilla is sick. A chinchilla during their project adventures. ☐☐ Explore options for sleeping has thick fur that can be deceiving, Using 4-H 365 Self-Determined boxes. Find out the appropriate dimensions and conditions for so make sure your chinchilla’s fur Project Guide, identify at least ideal sleeping boxes. is not getting thin. Some health three areas of interest with at problems you should be aware least three activities per area to ☐☐ Learn about how much bedding will be needed for of include diarrhea, constipation, explore. Take your ideas from the the housing space before malocclusion (when the upper and list below or make up your own. lower teeth do not align properly), buying what you need. What conjunctivitis, enteritis, and fur Selection is the best option for bedding materials? Are they readily biting. ☐☐ Research pet laws in your state available in your area? Very little grooming is necessary to make sure chinchillas are legal to have as pets. ☐☐ Research the safest cleaning if your animal is provided the product options for your pet, ☐☐ Create a budget of expenses proper diet and a pan with a thin then purchase them and create that you will potentially incur layer (about one tablespoon) a schedule for cleaning. to have a chinchilla as a pet. of chinchilla dust. Put a pan of Research the cost of all of ☐☐ Research the ideal chinchilla dust in your pet’s cage the following: the chinchilla, environment for your chinchilla. once a day. Do not keep the housing supplies, feed, and Create a list of how will you pan of dust in the cage all of the healthcare. achieve these conditions. time, because chinchillas can be ☐☐ Make a list of reputable ☐☐ Chinchillas are nocturnal. obsessive with it. Chinchillas will breeders or pet stores that Explore methods to train your roll in the dust and fluff their fur for have chinchillas. chinchilla to your lifestyle. as long as an hour. After they are ☐☐ Look at several chinchillas to ☐☐ Describe your chinchilla’s finished, the pan can be removed. see if you can correctly identify experience as it makes the Undusted chinchillas lose their bucks versus does. transition into your home life. fluffiness and develop matted ☐☐ Determine if you will select a ☐☐ Design an appropriate exercise fur. Replace the chinchilla dust young chinchilla or a mature space for your chinchilla. with fresh dust every two to four chinchilla. Create a list of pros Create a poster or take pictures weeks. and cons for each age. of the space. Include a list of obstacles that could endanger ☐☐ Learn the signs of an unhealthy your chinchilla and how you will chinchilla and make a list of avoid them. them. Look for indications while selecting your chinchilla. Nutrition Proper Habitat ☐☐ Research the types of foods chinchillas need for a balanced ☐☐ Investigate and purchase diet. Not all commercial appropriate housing for your diets are ideal, so it is best chinchilla. to gather information from a ☐☐ Create a list of other items to reputable source for nutritional add to the housing. Research information. what items are needed for a A chinchilla grooming in a metal dust pan. happy chinchilla. – 4 –

☐☐ Look into any dietary Health Care requirements that may change ☐☐ Document the medical records as your chinchilla ages. for your chinchilla. List visits ☐☐ Create a feeding schedule and to the veterinarian, diseases, keep it near your pet’s cage. treatments, and concerns Make room on your chart for about your chinchilla’s health. any change in the amount of ☐☐ Make a list of common food you give it. diseases that typically affect ☐☐ Track your chinchilla’s weight chinchillas. Also list their weekly to see if it stays the symptoms. Include internal as same or changes. well as external diseases. ☐☐ Experiment with different ☐☐ Learn the external parts of “treats” for your chinchilla. your chinchilla. This will help Document your pet’s you communicate with a preferences of treats and how veterinarian or someone else the treats affect its mood. when you discuss your pet. ☐☐ Document some of the signs Handling and Grooming of an unhealthy chinchilla so ☐☐ Research how to properly you can be on the alert in case handle a chinchilla so you and you see any deviation from the your pet enjoy your encounters. norm for your pet. ☐☐ Keep a journal about how you bond with your new chinchilla. SOURCE Describe activities in which you both take part, and describe Miller, Lucinda, and William your pet’s attitude about its Stanforth. Small Animals Resource A chinchilla’s body length is 10–14 inches, and its tail length is 5–7 inches. new surroundings. Start a Handbook. The Ohio State timeline to document important University, 2005. events. ☐☐ Create a display that describes RELATED RESOURCE the signs of a relaxed or eXtension. Chinchilla Housing frightened chinchilla. Use and Care. articles.extension.org/ pictures or drawings to provide pages/55733/chinchilla-housing- visual cues. and-care. ☐☐ Document a routine your chinchilla has when you give it a dusting pan. ☐☐ Explore when and how often chinchillas need to be groomed and bathed. Describe possible issues that might arise if you don’t groom your chinchilla.

ohio4h.org/selfdetermined

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