Chinchillas are furry animals with very beautiful fur. The birthplace of chinchillas is considered the highlands of South America. These are very clean rodents with a cute appearance, good-natured disposition and good health. It is no coincidence that it has recently become popular to keep a chinchilla in your apartment as a pet. However, these animals are very whimsical in the care and maintenance. Therefore, those who decide to have such a fluffy pet need to know the characteristics of the habitat of chinchillas in nature. This is necessary in order to create a beast comfortable living conditions.
Natural habitat
Since the chinchillas are home to the highlands from Argentina to Venezuela, whose height is more than three thousand meters above sea level, they are adapted to harsh climatic conditions. Strong winds, winter frosts, cool summers are familiar to these animals. The climate in the homeland of the chinchillas contributed to the formation of very thick fur.
For the area where they live, rains are a rarity. These rodents have to be content with dew on plants and the fluid they get from food. It is no coincidence that chinchillas are contraindicated in water procedures. They bathe in volcanic sand, thus getting rid of parasites and odors.
The vegetation of the rocky terrain of the homeland of chinchillas is quite scarce. But the high grass cover is not necessary for the life of these rodents, since their luxurious hair clings to dense vegetation.
These fluffy animals feed on plant foods. They are quite enough dwarf shrubs, cereals, lichens and succulents.
Lifestyle features
In the natural habitat, chinchillas live in colonies, the number of which is at least five pairs. Females dominate the pack, as they are larger than males and more aggressive. There are observer animals in the colony who warn the flock of danger.
To shelter rodents very cleverly choose crevices of rocks, voids among the stones. Sometimes they use other people's holes and hide there. Chinchillas dig their burrows very rarely. These animals are active at night, preferring to sleep during the day. They are very careful. Chinchillas do not stock food.
Dangerous enemies
These furry animals are very shy. This is no coincidence, because in the natural habitat, chinchillas have enough enemies. The main one is the fox. It is larger than the rodent in size, therefore it is especially dangerous. Usually she lies in wait for her prey near the shelter. She manages to get the animal out of a narrow hole very rarely. Only caution, a natural masking color and high speed of movement can save a chinchilla from a fox. No less dangerous for these animals is the tyra, whose habits and physique resemble affection. Unlike the fox, it easily makes its way into the shelter of the chinchilla. In the morning and evening, birds of prey begin to hunt fluffy rodents: eagle owls and owls. Snakes are also dangerous for chinchillas.
However, the threat posed by natural enemies to small rodents is insignificant compared to the mass extermination of these animals by humans. Despite the prohibitions, poachers exterminate chinchillas for valuable fur. Over the past fifteen years, the population of these rodents has decreased by 90 percent. Chinchillas are listed in the Red Book as an endangered species.
Appearance
The body length of the chinchilla varies from 22 to 38 centimeters, the tail length is from 10 to 17 centimeters. Weight can reach 800 grams. The body is covered with very thick fur, warming animals in harsh climatic conditions. Stiff outer hairs cover the tail. The standard color of chinchillas is blue-gray with a white belly. The head of the animals is round, short neck. Large black eyes, vertical pupils adapted to see in the dark. Their mustache grows up to 10 cm, rounded ears - up to 6 cm.
The structure of the skeleton of these rodents is unique - it has the ability to contract and stretch. This gives animals the opportunity to hide in very narrow burrows and crevices. The five-fingered front legs of the chinchillas are very interesting - with four short grasping fingers and one long, which is rarely used. Strongly developed four-fingered hind legs contribute to the rapid movement of these animals on a rocky surface. They jump well. Thanks to the developed cerebellum, chinchillas are distinguished by good coordination of movements, which also ensures safety when moving along mountainous terrain.
Types of Chinchillas
In nature, these rodents are found in two species: short-tailed and long-tailed. Short-tailed have a larger size, have a slightly different structure of the head and body.
Long-tailed chinchillas are distinguished by an unusually fluffy tail, growing up to 17 cm. These are smaller individuals. This species is bred on farms and kept as pets.
To create a diverse color by crossing, several mutational species were bred.