Some of you may know that a chinchilla is a rodent that people keep as a pet. Although keeping the chinchilla as a pet has been done for decades, the practice is only becoming popular today. People keep exotic animals like reptiles as pets. However, keeping a reptile as a pet can be dangerous, if not for you, then for your guests. However, such a pet as a chinchilla does not worry so much.
If you’re still not sure what a chinchilla is, here’s some general knowledge for you. Chinchillas are rodents found mainly in South America. These cute rodents are also found in the Andes. Generally, the little ones are bigger than squirrels and smaller than rabbits and are found mainly in Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Chinchillas are basically wild rodents and therefore taming them requires quite a bit of effort and time.
Chinchillas are used in many ways. Here’s a look.
1. Pets: Chinchillas are exotic pets that need good care and management. Since these are basically wild rodents, they need a fair amount of time to adjust to their environment. These are good pets mainly because they are low maintenance pets. They are extremely curious and boisterous by nature and don’t make too much noise either.
2. Fur Industry: Chinchillas are quite popular in the fur industry. These little rodents have soft, lush fur that is in demand in the fashion industry. Chinchilla furs are ideal for small garments. The rodent derives its name from the Chincha people who used its fur.
3. Scientific research: Chinchillas are used as an animal model in research. These small rodents have an auditory system similar to that of humans and are therefore used in laboratories. These rodents are also used to study bacterial and viral diseases.
4. Breeding: Many people breed these rodents, some for their fur, others to sell as pets. These pets are expensive.
Chinchillas are not used for food as they are small and do not have much meat. Whether kept as pets or for their fur, chinchillas need to be handled with the utmost care. These little ones can be aggressive and easily irritated. When disturbed, female chinchillas have been known to spray urine. While this rodent doesn’t have many uses, it’s still an expensive pet, and the benefits it derives are plentiful as well.
