The only human interaction chinchillas had for many years was when they were being hunted. Chinchillas evolved in an area that is cool and dry. Chinchillas are very inquisitive and love to explore their surroundings. Historically, chinchillas lived in an area … Both male and female chinchillas reach sexual maturity at 8 months old. The advice against getting a chinchilla wet refers to the fact that chinchillas do not take water baths. They live in colonies called "herds" at high elevations of up to 4,270 m (14,000 ft).). Even dried fruit contains sugar, just in more concentrated form. Here is a short list of some the foods chinchillas consume in the wild: Llagunoa glandulosa Nassella chilensis Stipa plumosa Trin Astephanus geminiflorus Puya berteroniana: Kraut, Blüte Glandularia sulphurea Apium laciniatum Moscharia pinnatifida Filtered or bottled water. Where Do Chinchillas Live in the Wild? You should never give chinchillas a water bath. Domestic chinchillas, which have been selectively bred for nearly 100 years, are almost twice the size of wild chinchillas. Let us help you give your pet chinchilla the healthiest and longest life possible. But they are from an arid environment, like hamsters, and so they drink very little water, and release very little urine. December 29, 2019 by Fern. Chinchillas are not as common a pet as some other little creatures, but they do share similar traits. Water is vital for almost every function in the body. Chinchilla nutrition is paramount to a chinchilla's health and longevity! It's advisable to give them a water dispenser to quench their thirst. Chinchillas are mostly vegetarians. Fibre has a serious role within the chinchilla's digestive track as the gut needs continual movement and should be placed at the top of the nutrition list. Chinchillas have a variety of defence tactics including spraying urine and releasing fur if bitten. Chinchillas are very inquisitive and love to explore their surroundings. The chinchilla's chief predator is man. Hay must be stored correctly in a dry, well ventilated place. Chinchillas need constant access to water which is clean so they can get the liquid in their body that they need. If your chinchilla does consume meat, gastrointestinal blockages can occur leading to injury or death. Chinchillas have particularly dense fur. Also, not distilled water. Charlie Chinchilla is a particular culprit, including lots of extras within its pellets (raisins included) and a chinchilla will seriously overeat on these extras causing them to become fussy eaters, missing vital nutrition and causing the onset of health issues. Some chinchillas can drink more on different days so just because they might not usually empty their bottle in a day, they can, so pay attention! They have diet that consists of hay and pellets that gives them little fluid intake compared to what they would eat in the wild. Like-wise the feeding of peanuts or raisins must be avoided although the odd raisin can be offered but usually too many are generally given. But what chinchillas DO have in the wild is lots of … can drink more on different days so just because they Once very common, chinchillas were hunted almost to extinction. strain on vital organs. In contrast, domestic chinchillas do drink water, but not a lot. Wild chinchillas are only found in Chile, but historically lived in areas of Argentina, Peru and Bolivia. While they do eat small insects, they are mostly herbivores. Alfalfa also contains a substance that is effective in the repair of damaged live cells, which will help towards a chinchilla's longevity. A good quality 'coarse' hay takes a long time to grind down before the chinchilla can swallow it, therefore the extra side-to-side grinding motion needed to break down the substance gives extra filing on the back teeth. The balls or pins can get stuck, so it's a good idea to check them twice a day to be sure your chin can get water out. Rather, they extract it from the food they eat. Over 100 chinchillas are required to make just one coat. Seeds and nuts. They have large, black eyes and bushy tails. Something like these: The nozzle should be placed in such a way that your chin does not have to lean down to drink. Chinchillas in the wild lives in rock crevices and burrows and need to hunt for their own food. Though chinchillas are primarily herbivores, they may occasionally eat insects … First, the container... chinchillas should have a GLASS water bottle of, at least, 8 ounces. Meat. Chinchilla, (genus Chinchilla), either of two South American species of medium-sized rodents long valued for their extremely soft and thick fur. Fast and furry-ous. Make sure to clean and refill the bottle or bowl once a day. Chinchillas need fiber to be present in their diets. Chinchillas are not equipped to eat diets that are high in fat and can fall susceptible to illnesses like fatty liver disease. Due to the huge amount of hairs on their body, they can’t dry themselves quickly, which may lead to fungal infections or respiratory infections. On another serious note - pellets made for other animal species can have hormones added, which will also undoubtedly effect a chinchilla's health early in life. Their diet in the wild consists of plants, roots, and grasses. The average temperature for the area is 65° Fahrenheit and little to no rainfall. In the wild, chinchillas eat a diet of seeds, fruits, plant leaves, and small insects. With short forelimbs and long, muscular hind legs, chinchillas resemble rabbits, but their ears are much shorter and rounder. Chinchillas are closely related to porcupines a guinea pigs, with strong, muscular hind legs that resemble those of a rabbit. I have now been raising my chinchilla for the past 5 years and here is what I can tell you on this topic. You must also remember to add the nutritional values of the treat to what the chinchilla has already consumed through its pellets and hay (as it is all accumulative!). A chinchilla's diet should consist of 30% fibre, 14-16% protein, 35% carbohydrate, 3.5% fat and oil, 4% sugar, 6% minerals and 10% moisture/trace element, 32.400 Vitamin D, 14.000 Vitamin A, 80 Vitamin E. (Kennedy 1970). Proper nutrition is very important to chinchillas, this is one of the reasons that pet chinchillas live... Berries and flowers. You should clean and disinfect with a vinegar/water My chinchilla water dispensing setup! mixture on a weekly basis. https://infolific.com/pets/chinchillas/chinchillas-in-the-wild Replenish their water every day as it can become stagnant and might hurt your pet. There are different kinds of hays available in the market which you can feed to your pet chinchilla. Chinchillas are very clean creatures. Water should always be filtered or distilled. obesity and diabetes Image courtesy of Jaime E. Jimenez. Hay that is good for your chinchilla Alfalfa hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) Chinchillas need a fresh supply of water daily and can consume between 15-40mls per day. Diet of Chinchillas . Their diet in the wild consists of plants, roots, and grasses. Chinchillas are selective eaters and will pick out tasty items and leave their basic pellets if they can and this should always be remember when feeding a chinchilla!. When overheating, a chinchilla can suffer from heat stroke and die. They are about the same size as a dwarf rabbit, and like rabbits, they have plush, incredibly soft fur. A raisin (as small as it may look) contains 70% sugar and since a chinchilla should have no more than 4% of sugar in a day, you can see how bad raisins are! If you trek to the Andes to have a look at chinchillas’ natural habitat, you won’t see a variety of fun-shaped, colorful, sisal-pumice-wood combination chew toys laying around or hanging overhead. The Types of Wild Food Grass and leaves. Do You Need to Bathe Chinchillas in Water? (Habitat Facts) The natural habitat of the chinchilla is in South America. Never use water directly taken from a tap, as tap water contains chemicals to keep the water clean and drinkable, which over time will effect a chinchilla's health. Chinchillas are either of two species (Chinchilla chinchilla and Chinchilla lanigera) of crepuscular rodents of the parvorder Caviomorpha.They are slightly larger and more robust than ground squirrels, and are native to the Andes mountains in South America. Dehydration can take up to 48-hours to occur and in cases like these, it is extremely important that you contact a vet and get a check-up immediately. A diet consisting mainly of pellets is unsatisfactory and diets, which include re-cooked foods such as rolled oats, shredded wheat, puffed wheat etc are also detrimental. After the brief introduction of chinchillas' diet stated above, let us explore what type of food should be given to chinchillas in a bit detail. Chinchilla and Human Interaction. Since chinchilla fur makes soft and beautiful coats, millions of chinchillas were killed for their pelts until they became nearly extinct in the 1940's. They remain scarce in the wild but are raised commercially and also sold as housepets. If you want to use tap water, you should install a filter that filters, at least, through stage 3. So, what does that leave, you ask? Protein should come second to fibre in a chinchilla's diet. Because chinchillas are from a cold place in the wild, they need to keep cool. They have historically lived in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru, although they may be extinct in Bolivia and Argentina.Chinchillas live at high altitudes where it’s cool and dry. Chinchillas are herbivores. The chinchilla’s liver This video was accidently deleted recently. Since chinchilla fur makes soft and beautiful coats, millions of chinchillas were killed for their pelts until they became nearly extinct in … Saying this, there are times when a chinchilla will need supplementation so it has been included briefly in this section. Hay has another importance to a chinchilla as it helps grind down the back molars keeping them in good length and preventing tooth disorders. On the other hand, pet chinchillas just love to have chinchilla nuggets in their diet. Chinchilla Supplements. Chinchillas drink water just like every other animal. Chinchilla Supplements Over supplementation can be fatal to a chinchilla so please do not start adding supplements if you don't know what you ar dong or are unsure! In captivity, chinchillas thrive when they are given a properly balanced diet of concentrates (pellets) and roughage (hay). Over supplementation can be fatal to a chinchilla so please do not start adding supplements if … Over supplementation can be fatal to a chinchilla so please do not start adding supplements if you don't know what you ar dong or are unsure! You should clean and disinfect with a vinegar/water mixture on a … Do Chinchillas Need Toys? might not usually empty their bottle in a day, they can, so pay attention! Similarly, pet chinchillas should be offered food twice a day but may consume food throughout the day, as they tend to eat more slowly than other small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. The amount of plant protein required ranges from 14-16% and any great variation above or below these amounts is unsatisfactory, for example a diet beyond 21% will cause serious health troubles. needs to work extra How do chinchillas bath? In the wild, chinchillas tend to eat timothy hay and alfalfa hay the most. In contrast, domestic chinchillas do drink water, but not a lot. Pet chinchillas bathe in dust in the exact same way that their wild counterparts do. Replenish their water every day as … In the wild, chinchillas love eating fresh, clean and sweet-smelling hay. Be SURE to pay attention to the level of the water. Just a natural spring bottled water, NOT one with added vitamins or electrolytes. Figuring out what to feed your chinchilla can be overwhelming. Chinchillas tend to use dust or dirt to clean themselves in the wild. Hay mixtures such as those containing orchard grass, blue grass, timothy and alfalfa, make a satisfactory feed and should be available at all times. The chinchilla is related to guinea pigs and porcupines. Chinchillas are herbivores. Because of this, chinchillas do not tolerate heat and humidity very well and can overheat quite easily. Timothy hay contains approximately 6-8% protein and alfalfa hay (of good grade) contains about 14% protein. There are different kinds of hays available in the market which you can feed to your pet chinchilla. Human Interaction. The best thing to do is simply boil some water and allow it to cool completely before offering it to a chinchilla. (amongst others) that all Chinchillas drink fresh water like any other animal, so they require a full water bottle or water bowl in their cage at all times. Chinchillas are either of two species (Chinchilla chinchilla and Chinchilla lanigera) of crepuscular rodents of the parvorder Caviomorpha.They are slightly larger and more robust than ground squirrels, and are native to the Andes mountains in South America. Anything other than this will have effects on a chinchilla's health. Wild Chinchillas. Chinchilla Reproduction. There are some treats you can offer to a chinchilla these are... Improper nutrition will lead All provided, putting extra Wild chinchillas are endangered, primarily due to hunting pressure from humans who prize their pelts. For chinchillas, day is night and night is day — as in, their normal sleep cycle has them sleeping most of the day and awake from dusk until dawn. For starters, around two thirds of an animal’s body is made of water. The chinchilla is a common exotic pet, but is also largely used in the fur industry for fashionable clothing. In captivity, many chinchilla owners do not take into consideration a chinchilla's sensitive digestive tract and substitute a chinchilla's basic diet with lots of treats and pellets that contain other food items or are made for other animals (such as rabbits or guinea pigs). A wet, moist or even soaking wet chinchilla will not turn them into a gremlin at midnight. Wild chinchillas have been known to consume a diet of small insects, seeds, fruits, and the leaves of plants. Most tap water, either city or well, contains an excess of minerals, possible parasites and chemicals that are "acceptable" to humans, specifically fluoride and chlorine, both of which are bad news to chinchillas. Eating their own feces is also common practice for the animals in order to get some crucial nutrients. All rights reserved. Saying this, fibre needs to be provided in the correct proportions to avoid over feeding and causing the onset of diarrhoea, bloat and/or other digestive disorders. Like in Hawai'i, it's 30¢ a gallon. They have four toes on each foot, and the thin claws on each toe are surrounded by stiff bristles.Chinchillas are typically 9 to 15 inches (23 to 38 centimeters) long, but the tail can add another 3 to 6 inches (8 to … Hence, the hunt for cacti and berries becomes difficult for these rodents. There are occasions where it is necessary to water bath a chinchilla. Chinchillas absolutely hate being alone and always live with others in the wild. Chinchillas have the ability to retain water in their fur and tail and do not seem to drink that much but it is still essential they are provided fresh water daily. Fruits and vegetables contain plenty of moisture in their natural form, and since chinchillas have adapted to a dry diet, too much moisture can cause bloating. Chinchillas also … The only time you will really need supplementation is during pregnancy, when a chinchilla is ill and if a chinchilla is exposing calcium deficiencies. Chinchillas are herbivores by nature and can’t digest meat. Providing you offer a chinchilla a healthy diet of chinchilla pellets, a variety of coarse hay/grasses, fresh water daily and only 1-2 safe treats a week, you should not need to supplement a chinchilla's diet. Alternatively, many of the places outside grocery or drug stores, where you can fill 1, 3 or 5 gallon jugs are stage 3 filtered and are super reasonable! Chinchillas have the ability to retain water in their fur and tail and do not seem to drink that much but it is still essential they are provided fresh water daily. Chinchillas primarily eat timothy hay and chinchilla formulated pellets. For many years, the chinchilla’s only interaction with humans consisted of being hunted, and later bred in captivity, for their exceptionally soft fur. Any hay, grasses of legumes that have been exposed to dampness or have started fermenting must be disregarded as deadly toxins will have starting developing in them - always check the hay you provide to ensure no moulds or fungi have begun to form, if so, throw away and replace with new. Wild chinchillas do not drink water. Their quest for food starts at dusk and continues through to the early morning. Any higher and your chinchilla could overheat and pass away. Chinchillas originate from the Andean Mountains of South America. such as liver problems, They have specific fiber, fat, and protein requirements and their digestive system is sensitive to many different kinds of food. Wild chinchillas do not drink water. Read on to learn about the chinchilla. Wild Chinchillas are commonly found eating the grass, straw and the things like that. It's advisable to give them a water dispenser to quench their thirst. Remember a chinchilla's diet should consist of no more than 3.5% fat! First off, NOT tap water. Okay, so now you have your bottle, what should you fill it with? Water is scarce, humidity is low, and it rarely rains so wild chinchillas must rely on morning dew for a drink. In the wild, chinchillas tend to eat timothy hay and alfalfa hay the most. This means if you’re going to adopt one, you may have to consider adopting another or as we do, you … After disinfecting, be sure to rinse, rinse, and rinse to be sure the vinegar is gone completely. Pellets made for other animals have been created to incorporate all the nutrition these specific animals need, which differs from the chinchilla. Usually most brand chinchilla pellets contain sufficient vitamins for the normal chinchilla but in some instances vitamin supplements are required (under the supervision of your veterinary surgeon). Chinchillas can eat a wide variety of natural food like hay, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, berries, dried plants and herbs. inappropriate nutrition A chinchilla WILL overeat treats, which causes a fatty liver (amongst other health issues) and death! These owners then wonder why their chinchilla will not eat their standard chinchilla pellets or are experiencing the onset of health issues early in life. It helps transport nutrients to cells, and remove waste products from cells, too. Some cacti and the cacti fruit they feed on also provide some water. They live in colonies called "herds" at high elevations of up to 4,270 m (14,000 ft). Chinchillas don’t need the extra sugar, especially since it can result in illnesses like hypoglycemia, diabetes, and hyperglycemia. The room your chinchillas live in should be between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 10 to 21 degrees Celsius. As stated above, there’s normally no need to bathe a chinchilla. Chinchillas that are fed Over 100 chinchillas are required to make just one coat. Nutritional values can vary between brand names and you should aim between 14-16% fibre and protein with the importance focusing on fibre. have much shorter lifespan! Chinchillas are related to guinea pigs and porcupines. The chinchilla's chief predator is man. Some chinchillas In the wild, chinchillas love eating fresh, clean and sweet-smelling hay. Stress to survive leads to a short life. In the wild, chinchillas live in burrows or in rock crevices, places that offer safe havens for them to take cover so they can get some stress-free sleep. Chinchillas generally consume approximately 1-2 tablespoons (20 grams) of pellets per day and will never overeat so for this reason alone, a chinchilla must always have both pellets and hay available at all times. Their colonies usually have over 100 other Chinchillas in them. ©2017 Tina Sauer Harshbarger, administrator. Predators of chinchillas in the wild include birds of prey, skunks, felines, snakes and canines. The animals have been observed in the wild eating small insects, seeds, fruits, and plant leaves. Proving you offer a healthy diet with the correct nutritional quantities, you should not need to supplement a chinchilla (as this can throw out the nutritional calculations). What do chinchillas eat? Most health problems stem from an owner providing incorrect nutrition, which can be avoided with good education. What do chinchillas drink? Wild chinchillas are endangered, primarily due to hunting pressure from humans who prize their pelts. Nutritional intake over 20% can be 'too rich' for some chinchillas and will cause the faeces to become soft and mushy as well as causing gastrointestinal problems. metal lined replacement tray w/scatter guards. prove fatal to a chinchilla. Chinchillas have the ability to retain water in their fur and tail and do not seem to drink that much but it is still essential they are provided fresh water daily. Chinchillas bathe in dust and sand in the wild, so your pet needs to do the same. Chinchilla pellets are alfalfa based with extra vitamins and minerals added and should not be replaced with a brand made for other animal species such as rabbit or guinea pig! Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. Rather, they extract it from the food they eat. It keeps the muscles and joints working as they should. Keep your chinchillas safe by learning what to avoid. The quality of the hay/grasses plays more importance than the quantity of hay you provide. Adult females are about 30 percent larger than males; the difference is a bit less pronounced in the wild. Alfalfa, alpine, timothy, orchard grass, the blue grasses and the common prairie grass are the most satisfactory for feeding chinchillas. Chinchillas can eat food pellets available from pet stores, as well as hay, dried fruits and nuts, and carrots and green vegetables in moderation, or about 10 percent of their daily diet. They don’t like damp hay as it can seriously upset their stomach. Plant proteins are necessary for a chinchilla to aid in proper fur production, not only the growth but also the strength and quality of the fur all depend upon the presence of plant protein in the diet. Their habitat is growing smaller each day as vegetation in the Andes Mountains gradually disappears. to life threatening diseases Copyright Mirella Poli. Appropriate nutritional values can be achieved by offering a variety of good quality coarse hay, good quality pellets made only for chinchillas and water that has been boiled and left to cool. Chinchillas have particularly dense fur. hard when fatty treats are Kinky, wavy and 'cotton' fur may also be caused by dietary deficiencies (however, inheritance may also have an influence). What Do Chinchillas Eat & What To AVOID In Their Diet? At times of training, safe treats (1-2 per week) can be offered but only if they do not interfere with the chinchillas overall nutritional values. Chinchillas originate from the Andean Mountains of South America. When the sun rises, wild chinchillas retreat to their underground dens. As pets, there are a variety of foods in pet stores that contain all the necessary nutrients. However, when they are domesticated, they will feed on commercial feed pellets. A low protein diet produces unthrifty-appearing chinchillas, this is often manifested by dry, faded, weak and fragile fur. Chinchillas are herbivores (plant eating animals) and in the wild their diet would be bland, feeding off seeds, roots, leaves, fruits, berries, bark, alfalfa and various grasses, all of which contain a high percentage of fibre. Chinchilla pellets should not contain fish oils unless cholene and vitamin K are added to the diet to assist the chinchilla's liver in metabolizing the fish fat and never should they contain yeast! They take dust baths. They don’t like damp hay as it can seriously upset their stomach. While chinchillas can go quite some time without water, this does not mean that it shouldn’t cause for alarm as a chinchilla may quickly become dehydrated depending on the temperature they are in. The distillation process removes important minerals needed for healthy bones and teeth. Do chinchillas eat insects? One thing that chinchillas need is to drink often. It is tempting to offer a chinchilla treats as they are so cute and adorable but even though a chinchilla will not overeat on pellets the same cannot be said for treats!
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