Choosing a Chinchilla
Single or Pair?
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As a generalism chinchillas do better in same sex pairs as they are very social animals who would live in large colonies in the wild and never alone. If you can, get two same sex chinchillas that are already living together.
Although not guaranteed, two adult chinchillas that have been living together for some time are less likely to fall out in the future. Please never buy just one chinchilla from a bonded same sex adult pair or group. It is much harder to bond chinchillas from scratch in the future and it is not fair to break up a bonded pair just because you only want the one.
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However, you may find the chinchilla you choose is currently living alone. If this is the case you will then need to decide whether you want to try and bond them with another same sex chinchilla in the future.
Unfortunately keeping chinchillas in pairs or groups is not always as simple when you start out with just one, as they may not get along with the other chinchilla you have chosen for them. Please be aware that although bonding does and can work, there is no guarantee that the pair you have chosen to put together will be successful.
Although not the same as a real chinchilla, you can also buy specially made chinchilla safe buddies online if you choose not to get a second chinchilla. You can read more on bonding chinchillas here.
Unfortunately keeping chinchillas in pairs or groups is not always as simple when you start out with just one, as they may not get along with the other chinchilla you have chosen for them. Please be aware that although bonding does and can work, there is no guarantee that the pair you have chosen to put together will be successful.
Although not the same as a real chinchilla, you can also buy specially made chinchilla safe buddies online if you choose not to get a second chinchilla. You can read more on bonding chinchillas here.
Male or Female?
Whilst both sexes have the ability to spray urine as a defense mechanism when threatened, this is far more common in females and their aim is usually pretty accurate! Although possible, most males do not not typically do this. Males do require a monthly hair ring check, details of how to do this are described here.
There are some generalisms in the difference of personalities between males and females, with some describing males as calmer and more affectionate. This is often believed to be the consensus across rodents in general, however there is no set research to actually prove this when it comes to chinchillas. Personality varies massively from chinchilla to chinchilla, so it's best to view a few chinchillas first to find one with the personality you most like.
If you are keeping two or more together, or letting them interact in any way, then they must be the same sex as breeding is extremely dangerous for chinchillas. Please note that neutering a chinchilla will not change their behaviour. This is a high risk operation and so it is much better to keep male chinchillas with other males, than to risk their life to be paired with a female.
There are some generalisms in the difference of personalities between males and females, with some describing males as calmer and more affectionate. This is often believed to be the consensus across rodents in general, however there is no set research to actually prove this when it comes to chinchillas. Personality varies massively from chinchilla to chinchilla, so it's best to view a few chinchillas first to find one with the personality you most like.
If you are keeping two or more together, or letting them interact in any way, then they must be the same sex as breeding is extremely dangerous for chinchillas. Please note that neutering a chinchilla will not change their behaviour. This is a high risk operation and so it is much better to keep male chinchillas with other males, than to risk their life to be paired with a female.
Health
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A chinchilla's eyes should be bright and dry, their fur and nose clean and dry, and they should seem alert, lively and inquisitive.
A chinchilla displaying any visible signs of illness is likely to be already very seriously ill - being prey animals, they will naturally hide any signs of sickness for as long as possible. |
Extremely sick rescue
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Personality
Probably the single, most important factor other than health when choosing a chinchilla. As mentioned chinchillas' personalities can vary immensely, partly due to how much positive interaction they've had with humans from a young age and partly due to their own unique characteristics.
When you view a chinchilla you'll get an indication of how comfortable they are with being handled. A chinchilla who sprays urine, tries to bite, suffers fur slip and desperately tries to escape the arms of the person holding them will naturally take much longer to tame. Whereas a chinchilla who already tolerates being held is likely to be easier to build a relationship with.
However please bear in mind that some chinchillas may appear relatively calm when you first hold them, but this may be due to extreme fright and that the chinchilla has frozen in fear - a tactic sometimes used by prey animals to “play dead”. Once the chinchilla is settled in their new home and comfortable, they may feel more confident expressing their true wishes - which may include not being handled!
Kits can also be easier to handle than adult chinchillas, so you shouldn't be surprised if your chinchilla was easy to at a young age compared to in adulthood. Not all chinchillas will ever tolerate being held or stroked so please take this into consideration before committing to a chinchilla.
When you view a chinchilla you'll get an indication of how comfortable they are with being handled. A chinchilla who sprays urine, tries to bite, suffers fur slip and desperately tries to escape the arms of the person holding them will naturally take much longer to tame. Whereas a chinchilla who already tolerates being held is likely to be easier to build a relationship with.
However please bear in mind that some chinchillas may appear relatively calm when you first hold them, but this may be due to extreme fright and that the chinchilla has frozen in fear - a tactic sometimes used by prey animals to “play dead”. Once the chinchilla is settled in their new home and comfortable, they may feel more confident expressing their true wishes - which may include not being handled!
Kits can also be easier to handle than adult chinchillas, so you shouldn't be surprised if your chinchilla was easy to at a young age compared to in adulthood. Not all chinchillas will ever tolerate being held or stroked so please take this into consideration before committing to a chinchilla.
Different Colour Mutations
It may surprise you to know there are many other colour mutations available, other than the standard grey most commonly seen in chinchillas. With ebony, black velvet, violet, wilson white/mosaic, pink white, beige, chocolate, sapphire and blue diamond to name a few.
These different colour mutations are often more expensive to purchase than standard grey chinchillas, however as mentioned above, chinchillas have unique personalities and so it is much better to pick a healthy chinchilla by their personality than to choose by their colour alone.
These different colour mutations are often more expensive to purchase than standard grey chinchillas, however as mentioned above, chinchillas have unique personalities and so it is much better to pick a healthy chinchilla by their personality than to choose by their colour alone.
Vector Graphics with thanks to Freepik