CHINCHILLA
Chinchilla lanigera
Mammal
Order Rodentia
Description
10 in. long not including the tail. Weight 1-2 lbs. Soft dense
fur usually silver gray. Large rounded ears, large eyes, long whiskers,
and bushy tail. Large hind feet and small front legs. Females larger thanmales.
Numerous fine hairs grow from each single hair follicle, this iswhat makes
their coat so dense.
Range
High Andes Mountains of Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.
Status
Common in captivity. Almost extinct in their original range
due to excessive hunting and habitat destruction. The Giant Chinchilla is
extinct due to this. C.I.T.E.S Appendix I
Photo © Greg Neise |
 |
Ecology
- Habitat
- 3,000 to 15,000 feet above sea level. Live in rock crevices or borrows.
-
- Niche
- herbivorous, crepuscular. Lives in social groups ranging from 14 to100
animals. Preyed upon by small mammals, snakes and birds of prey. Hunted
extensively for their fur.
Life History
Chinchilla means "Little Chinta", the South American Indian
tribe for which the animal is named. Gestation about 4 mo., litters range
from1-6 offspring, average is 2, usually 2 litters per year. Newborns areprecocious
and weaned at 6-8 wks. , mature at 4-12 months. Averagelife span 10 yrs.
in captivity.
Special Adaptations
- Fur insulates against the extreme dry, cold of the Andes.
- Long back legs allow animal to jump great distances.
- Flexible front digits can hold food items.
- Large ears and excellent hearing help animals detect predators.
- Continuously growing, chisel-like incisors (front) teeth for gnawing
hard food items.
- Short grasping forelimbs and sharp nails allow them to be agile climbers.
- Bluish gray color blends with rocky habitat.
- Bathe in dust to keep hair clean.
- Long tail, which is one third the length of the entire body, provides
balance for high speed escapes.
- Small body size allows the animal to escape into tiny crevices where
predators cannot reach.
|