# Chinchilla (*Chinchilla lanigera*)

> Chinchillas are small rodents from the high Andes, famed for the densest fur of any land mammal — up to 80 hairs per follicle. Wild populations are endangered from historic over-trapping; domestic chinchillas are popular pets that need dust baths, cool dry housing, and gentle handling.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Endangered
- **Range:** High-altitude rocky slopes of the Andes in Chile; wild populations are fragmented and Endangered, while pets come from captive breeding.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/chinchilla/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Rodentia
- **Family:** Chinchillidae
- **Genus:** Chinchilla

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Chinchilla lanigera |
| Diet | Herbivore — hay, chinchilla pellets, and limited treats |
| Habitat | High-altitude rocky slopes of the Andes; domestic worldwide |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years in captivity (shorter in the wild) |
| Weight | 400–600 g (14–21 oz) |
| Top speed | Agile leaper; can jump 1.8 m vertically |
| Conservation status | Endangered (IUCN) |

## Extraordinary fur

Chinchilla fur is so dense that fleas and parasites struggle to penetrate it. Native people and later fur traders valued pelts so highly that wild chinchillas were trapped nearly to extinction by the early 1900s. Today international trade in wild chinchilla fur is restricted.

## Dust baths and grooming

Instead of water, chinchillas clean themselves in fine volcanic dust that absorbs oil and dirt from the coat. Pet chinchillas need regular dust baths and must never be bathed in water, which can cause fungal problems in their dense fur.

## Wild conservation

Chinchilla lanigera is Endangered in the wild, surviving in fragmented populations in Chile. Habitat loss, drought, and historic trapping reduced numbers to a few thousand. Captive breeding supplies the pet trade and conservation programmes.

## Pet care essentials

Chinchillas need spacious multi-level cages, temperatures below 25 °C, unlimited hay, and companionship or daily interaction. They are crepuscular, chew constantly to wear teeth, and can shed fur when grabbed — a defence called fur slip.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are chinchillas endangered?

Wild long-tailed chinchillas are Endangered. The pet trade relies on captive-bred animals, not wild trapping.

### Why do chinchillas take dust baths?

Fine dust removes oil and moisture from their exceptionally dense fur without the matting risk of water bathing.

### How long do chinchillas live?

Pet chinchillas often live 10–15 years, sometimes longer with excellent care — much longer than hamsters or gerbils.

### Can chinchillas live alone?

They are social and do best in same-sex pairs or groups if introduced carefully, or with daily human interaction if kept singly.

### Are chinchillas good pets?

They suit owners who can provide cool, quiet housing, dust baths, and gentle handling. They are not ideal for young children because they are fragile and easily stressed.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Chinchilla lanigera.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Chinchilla%20lanigera&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Chinchilla lanigera. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Chinchilla_lanigera/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/chinchilla/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.