Some of you may know that a chinchilla is a rodent that people keep as pets. Although keeping the chinchilla as a pet has been done for decades, the practice is becoming popular only today. People keep exotic animals like reptiles as pets. However, keeping a reptile as a pet can be dangerous, if not for you then for your guests. However, a pet like the chinchilla does not care so much.
If you’re still not sure what a chinchilla is, here’s some general knowledge for you. Chinchillas are rodents found primarily in South America. These cute rodents are also found in the Andes. Generally, the small ones are larger than squirrels and smaller than rabbits and are found mainly in Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Chinchillas are basically wild rodents and therefore taming them requires quite a bit of effort and time.
Chinchillas are used in many ways. Here’s a look.
1. Pets: Chinchillas are exotic pets that need good care and handling. Since these are basically wild rodents, they need a fair amount of time to adjust to their surroundings. These are good pets mainly because they are low maintenance pets. They are extremely curious and boisterous by nature and don’t make too much noise either.
2. Fur industry: Chinchillas are quite popular in the fur industry. These little rodents have soft, lush fur that is in demand in the fashion industry. Chinchilla furs are ideal for small garments. The rodent derives its name from the Chincha people who used its fur.
3. Scientific research: Chinchillas are used as animal models in research. These small rodents have a hearing system similar to that of humans and are therefore used in laboratories. These rodents are also used to study bacterial and viral diseases.
4. Breeding: Many people raise these rodents, some for their fur, others to sell as pets. These pets are expensive.
Chinchillas are not used for food as they are small and do not have much meat. Whether used as pets or for their fur, chinchillas must be handled with the utmost care. These little guys can be aggressive and easily irritated. When disturbed, female chinchillas have been known to spray urine. While this rodent doesn’t have many uses, it’s still an expensive pet, and the benefits it reaps are plentiful as well.
