Chinchillaチンチラ

Species Data

Classification

Rodentia / Chinchillidae Source

Distribution

The long-tailed chinchilla is native to the Andes Mountains of northern Chile, at elevations between 3,000 and 5,000 meters. Source

Did You Know?

• As many as 75 hairs can grow from a single hair follicle, contributing to one of the densest fur coats of any mammal. Source
• Chinchillas need to take dust baths at least twice a week to keep their dense fur clean and healthy. Source
• The species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and in CITES Appendix I, and is considered to hold the second-highest conservation priority among Chilean mammals. Source

FAQ

Why is chinchilla fur so dense?

Up to 75 individual hairs grow from each hair follicle, giving chinchillas one of the densest fur coats of any mammal — a trait that made them heavily targeted by the historical fur trade. Source

Are chinchillas endangered in the wild?

Yes. The long-tailed chinchilla is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and in CITES Appendix I, with wild populations reduced by historical fur hunting and ongoing habitat loss in the Chilean Andes. Source

How do chinchillas stay clean?

They take dust baths at least twice a week, rolling in fine volcanic ash or specialized dust to remove oil and moisture from their fur, since their coat is too dense to dry quickly if it gets wet. Source