Getting to Know the Adorable Chinchillas

Keeping a pet is a common hobby. When you are with your dog, cat, rabbit, parrot or even snake, you will as if you are unloading your stress and throwing your worries away. Indeed pet keeping has many therapeutic effects that people who are keeping animals as their pets will often find it hard to continue living when parted with their pets.

Aside from hamsters, Chinchillas are also popular pets that take the form of rodent-like built. The scientific name of Chinchilla is Chinchilla lanigera. They often live up to 15 years although it is not uncommon for them to reach an extended life of 18 to 20 years. At first look, they may be mistaken as hamsters but considering their slimness as opposed to chubby hamsters, Chinchillas stand above. Their body length can reach to 10 to 14 inches while their tail can reach to 5 to six inches. Chinchillas vary in color but the most common ones are those that have grey coats. They are just too irresistible that an audience may find it hard not to squeeze it.

Chinchilla keeping presents unique requirements. In terms of their cages, they must be wide enough for them to move around. The cage must not be a boring one. It should posses structures like platforms, ramps, perches and even wheels where they can play around like that of white mice. Aside from that, Chinchillas also love to have toys. This is necessary for their incisors to develop well as they tend to chew the toys when they play.

With regards to their habit, they usually are nocturnal in nature. They are most active at night and less playful at daytime. That is the reason why they are sometimes they are called crepuscular referring to animals whose activeness peaks at dawn and dusk. They should be kept in a quiet area during the day so as not to disturb their rest. Since they are so vigorous and playful, chinchillas need a larger cage for all their activities. The temperature that they love will depend on their variety although most love to be around a cooler temperature.

When it comes to feeding, Chinchillas require a lot of fibre. Their diet should mainly consist of a good quality grass hay along with pellets especially made for chinchillas. A total of one teaspoon per day is a usual amount given to them since their digestive system are fairly sensitive. Diet changes should by all means made gradual.

Chinchillas are very active and playful. However, there are instances when they do not like to be cuddled or touched. They can get close with their owners easily so that the owner himself will quickly grow fond of the pet in no time at all. They can be tamed easily and can be kept either in singles or with pairs for mating. Choosing one will surely be an enjoyable moment for a future Chinchilla owner. Before buying any Chinchilla, just be sure that you can give time to take care of it. Otherwise, your pet will suffer from loneliness and malnourishment.