Chinchilla
Chinchilla lanigera
🌍 Overview
Chinchillas are native to the high-altitude Andes mountains of South America, where they inhabit rocky terrain at elevations up to 14,000 feet. In the wild they are critically endangered — their extraordinarily dense fur (up to 80 hairs per follicle, versus 2–3 for humans) has been prized for centuries and nearly led to their extinction. Most pet chinchillas descend from a founding population of just 13 animals brought to the United States in 1927.
📋 Quick Facts
Native Range
Andes mountains of Chile (formerly also Bolivia, Peru, Argentina)
Natural Habitat
Rocky, arid Andean mountains at high altitude
Adult Size
9–15 inches (23–38 cm); 1–2 lbs
Wild Diet
Grasses, seeds, leaves, bark, and insects
Wild Lifespan
10–20 years
Conservation Status
Critically Endangered (IUCN)
📖 Care Guide
Chinchilla Care Guide
The incredibly soft, high-jumping rodent that needs dust baths!
🤓 Did You Know?
Chinchillas can jump up to 6 feet high and can rotate their ears 180 degrees! Their fur is so dense they can have up to 60 hairs per follicle (humans have only 1).
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