Sites

Chinchilla Fact Sheet - English
URL: http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Andes/6859/chinchilla.htm

The widespread demand for chinchilla fur nearly led to the animal's extinction in the early 1900s. Conservation laws now protect the wild chinchilla. Commercial breeding in the United States began with 11 animals brought to California in 1923. Chinchilla ranches are now scattered through most states.

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Chinchilla lanigera: Media - English
URL: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/chinchilla/c._lanigera$media.html

Anatomical Images.

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Chinchilla, Chinchilla laniger - English
URL: http://www.exotictropicals.com/encyclo/critters/chinchilla/chinchilla.htm

Chinchillas have the finest fur of all the mammals which makes them very soft. They make good pets and are very lively. Keeko loves to go outside in the long grass (on a leash) to jump and play. Pippin is actually Keekos' father! Pippin likes to be left alone more than Keeko, probably because he was in a breeding situation for several years. In the wild they live 18 - 20 years.

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Chinchilla: Chinchillas - English
URL: http://www.press.jhu.edu/books/walkers_mammals_of_the_world/rodentia.chinchillid

The natural habitat is the relatively barren areas of the Andes Mountains at elevations of 3,000-5,000 meters. Chinchillas shelter in crevices and holes among the rocks. They are basically crepuscular and nocturnal, though they have been observed on bright days, sitting in front of their holes and climbing and jumping about the rocks with remarkable agility (Grzimek 1975). To eat, they sit erect and hold the food in their forepaws. The diet consists of any available vegetation.

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