Quick answer
Chinchillas are native to South America. High-altitude rocky slopes of the Andes in Chile; wild populations are fragmented and Endangered, while pets come from captive breeding.
Native range
High-altitude rocky slopes of the Andes in Chile; wild populations are fragmented and Endangered, while pets come from captive breeding.
Continents
- South America
Habitat notes
Wild populations are endangered from historic over-trapping; domestic chinchillas are popular pets that need dust baths, cool dry housing, and gentle handling.
FAQs
Where can I learn more about the chinchilla?
See our full chinchilla profile for habitat, diet, and conservation status.
Where do these facts come from?
Researched from IUCN Red List data and our editorial chinchilla species profile.