This Ugly Chinchilla Is an Argentinian Delicacy.

Chinchilla Conservation Status Chinchillas are classed as a ‘vulnerable’ species by the IUCN as populations have suffered due to habitat loss by the burning and harvesting of the algarobilla shrub at lower altitudes. There are currently only an estimated 10,000 individuals left in the Chilean mountains.

Despite a large number of commercially bred chinchillas, the long-tailed chinchilla is considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because its numbers in the wild are low and continue to decline. The fur of chinchillas is well-suited for its cold habitat.

Are chinchillas dangerous? They aren’t. Their scratches are like insignificant but painful paper cuts, and while their bites do hurt, they can’t do significant damage. At worst they could give you a bite that gets infected.

Yes, chinchillas are extremely smart. Chinchillas can learn to recognize their names, their owners, and can also learn basic commands. Chinchillas also are responsive to desired items such as treats. Chinchillas are very intelligent rodents and are capable of loving and social interaction.

Yes, chinchillas can get jealous. Introducing another chinchilla or changing their environment rapidly may cause jealousy. It’s possible to notice your chinchilla displaying odd behaviors when jealous such as fur pulling and acting much more anti-social than usual. Don’t worry.

Yes, over time, your chinchilla will learn its name after hearing it enough times. To speed up the process you can treat your chinchilla just like a pet dog. The more you say the chinchilla’s name, the faster it will learn it and recognize his or her name when you say it.

No, chinchillas should never be roaming your house freely with access to multiple rooms. Too many dangers are present if a chinchilla can roam your home freely. Chinchillas should enjoy playtime with you in a controlled area where you can keep them safe and under your supervision.

They do, as they will run away, hide, or could hurt themselves without one. Neither free roaming inside the house nor free range living outside is suitable for a pet chinchilla because of dangers like wiring, heat or cold, and other pets. While ideally your chinchilla would live wild and free, it can’t.

There are a number of foods that are poisonous to chinchillas so always double check before you feed them. DO NOT FEED your chinchilla with the following: asparagus, avocado, peas, cabbage, corn, lettuce, broccoli, spinach, rhubarb and rhubarb leaves. Other dangerous foods are banana, sunflower seeds and peanuts.

To summarize, chinchillas shouldn’t eat carrots. They aren’t good for chinchillas in any way: they have too much water and not enough fat, protein and carbohydrate, they will cause dangerous gas and bloating, and could even cause diarrhea.

What cereals can chinchillas eat? Give your chinchilla 1-2 pieces of Shredded Wheat or Cheerios. Plain, unfrosted, miniature shredded wheat squares and plain Cheerios are both great occasional treats for a chinchilla.

The chinchilla’s temperature requirements sit between 57 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit/14 and 21 degrees centigrade. Chinchillas can overheat and die at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive freezing temperatures (32 degrees Fahrenheit/0 degrees centigrade) but should be kept at a comfortable, cool room temperature.

Your home will likely never reach a temperature that’s too cold for a chinchilla. A chinchilla can survive in temperatures below 50 degrees F, but they do begin developing respiratory infections below that temperature, which can result in death if it progresses to pneumonia or rapidly gets worse.