Download Chinchilla - The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Module 2.4: Small Mammals
Interpreting with Chinchillas
Interpreting with Chinchillas: The theme of your conversations may differ from group to group
depending on the program, and the age of your audience. Examples of different talking points
that relate to Zoo themes are listed below.
Theme: Humans are part of the rich diversity of life, and have the power to protect or destroy
it.
Background: Chinchillas are currently listed as an endangered species and were hunted nearly
to extinction in the 1900s. They were extensively hunted for their pelts and also collected for
the pet trade.
1. Talking point: Sustainable products
 Related facts:
o Chinchillas are covered in dense fur that protects them from cold temperatures.
It is extremely soft and highly valued for fur coats.
o The species was nearly hunted to extinction in the 1900s for fur; over 100 pelts
are needed to make one coat
o Successful domestic breeding has reduced the demand for wild chinchillas and
has reduced illegal hunting.
 Call to action:
o Encourage visitors to be conscious about what products they purchase; choose
sustainable products that have a minimal impact on wildlife (ex. faux fur or
leather products).
2. Talking point: Responsible pet ownership
 Related facts:
o Chinchillas are frequently seen in pet stores. Despite their cute appearance, they
do not make good pets for everybody.
 They have sharp, continuously growing teeth that can cause injury if
bitten.
 Chinchillas are nocturnal animals; they may make rustling noises
throughout the night when people are trying to sleep, and are not awake
during the day to interact with people.
 They have specific care requirements, including a large space, with
platforms or perches, toys to chew on, and access to a dust bath.
o Over-collection from the wild for the pet trade contributed to the species’
decline. In addition to chinchillas, several other species, especially reptiles and
birds, are greatly affected by the pet trade.
o Purchasing exotic pets from responsible breeders helps protect wild populations.
12/20/2016
Interpreting with Chinchillas
The Maryland Zoo
Module 2.4: Small Mammals
Interpreting with Chinchillas

Call to action:
o Urge visitors to do research before purchasing a new pet.
 Make sure the animal is coming from a responsible breeder and is not a
wild caught individual.
 Know how to properly care for the animal for the entirety of its life.
Theme: Animals have adaptations that help them survive
Talking point: Nocturnal Adaptations
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Possible hooks: Why do you think their whiskers are so long? Why are their ears so
large?
Related facts:
o Have large, mobile ears to hear predators approaching in the dark
o Long, sensitive whiskers help them feel their surroundings
o Large eyes help them see in lowlight conditions
Call to action:
o Look for other nocturnal animals on exhibit at the zoo – what adaptations do
they have? Do they have large ears too?
12/20/2016
Interpreting with Chinchillas
The Maryland Zoo
Chinchilla
Chinchilla lanigera
Description:
 Size:
o Body length: 9-15 inches (225-380 mm)
o Tail length averaging 3-6 inches (75-150 mm)
 Weight:
o Females: up to 28.2 ounces (800 grams)
o Males: up to 17.6 ounces (500 grams)
 Physical Description: Small, mouse like rodent with a slender body and large ears. Fur is
extremely soft and dense. Fur is typically white, brown, grey or bluish on the back, and
yellow-white on the underside. Fur on the tail is coarse and bushy towards the end.
 Sexual dimorphism: Females are typically larger than males
In the Wild
Habitat and Range:
 Range: Native to Chile along the foothills of the Andes and coastal mountains, south to
Talca
 Habitat: Lives in barren, rocky, mountainous habitat (elevations of 3,000 to 5,000
meters)
Diet:
 Generally herbivorous: Eat grass, seeds and fruits
o Eats insects and bird eggs opportunistically
Adaptations:
 Soft dense fur insulates against the cold of the barren mountainous regions it inhabits
 Long, strong hind legs and a long tail allows for quick and agile running and jumping
 Long, sensitive whiskers, large eyes and big ears allow for nocturnal lifestyle
 Bathe in dust because hair is so dense it would be difficult to dry in the wild in their cold
habitat
 Defense:
o Dense fur creates a protective layer around the body – it is so thick that a
predator may wind up with a tuft of fur instead of a meal.
o When trapped, chinchillas may attempt to intimidate a predator by standing up
and fluffing their tails to make themselves appear larger.
o Use sharp incisor teeth to bite as a last resort
Social Structure:
 Live in colonies of up to 100 individuals
 Serious fighting in the wild is rare – threats are expressed through growling, chattering
of teeth and urinating
12/20/2016
Chinchilla
The Maryland Zoo
Chinchilla
Chinchilla lanigera
Lifespan:
 Typically live 10-20 years
Ecosystem relationships:
 Predators: Foxes, snakes, birds of prey
Reproduction:
 Breeding season: May to November
 Behavior:
o Mostly monogamous
o Female chinchillas are the dominant sex and are very aggressive toward one
another and toward males during estrus
 Number of offspring: Females bear 2 litters per year with 1-6 young per litter
 Gestation: about 4 months, which is relatively long for a small mammal
 Maturation: Relatively advanced young at birth – allows the mother to mate again and
bear another litter within the year
o Young are born with a full coat of fur and open eyes.
o Not much parental care required
o Time to weaning is about 2 months
o Sexual maturity in both sexes occurs on average at 8 months but may occur as
early as 5.5 months – females have their first litter at an average age of about 1
year 3 months
Activity:
 Nocturnal
Other “fun facts”:
 While eating, chinchillas sit upright on their hind legs and hold their food with their front
paws
 Like all rodents, chinchilla incisor teeth grow continuously
 Chinchilla fur is incredibly dense: as many as 60 hairs grow out of each follicle
(compared to humans who have 1 hair growing out of each follicle)
Conservation Status and Threats:
 Listed on the IUCN Red List as Endangered
o Previously thought to be extinct in the 1960s but has since been rediscovered in
the wild.
o The species is suspected to be recovering in some areas as successful domestic
breeding has helped reduce illegal hunting and trapping in the wild.
 Protected by CITES Appendix 1 since 1977, which permits the trade of chinchillas only in
exceptional circumstances
12/20/2016
Chinchilla
The Maryland Zoo
Chinchilla
Chinchilla lanigera
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Threats:
o Was once extensively hunted for their fur in the 1900s
 Around this time about 500,000 chinchilla skins were exported from Chile
annually
 Considered to be one of the most valuable pelts in the world
 Over 100 chinchilla pelts are needed for one fur coat
o Collection from the wild for the pet trade
o Habitat is threatened by overgrazing of cattle, mining and firewood extraction
o Mining near chinchilla colonies is currently their most major threat
Reintroduction attempts have been unsuccessful
o Possibly because the current numbers are below the minimum population
viability size for long-term survival
o Predation by foxes has increased
At the Zoo
Yum Yum (dark grey) and Snow Queen (white) were donated to the zoo from a private owner
in 2008. Yum Yum (mother) was born in 2003 and Snow Queen (daughter) was born in 2006.
What We Can Do
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Do your research before buying a pet
o Make sure you are not purchasing a wild-caught individual
o Captive-bred species are often easy to find
Opt for fake fur over real fur when buying coats and other clothing and accessories
o All of our shopping choices can have an impact on the environment and wildlife
so when available opt for recycled and local products
o Research responsible companies that do not use animal based products or
testing
Additional Resources and References:
 Animal Diversity Web:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Chinchilla_lanigera.
html
 IUCN Red List: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/4652/0
 National Zoo: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/smallmammals/fact-chinchilla.cfm
 Arkive: http://www.arkive.org/long-tailed-chinchilla/chinchillalanigera/#text=Conservation
 MacDonald, D., & Norris, S. (Ed.). (2001). Other Cavy-like Rodents. The encyclopedia of
mammals. (1 ed., Vol. 1, pp. 682-684). Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: Andromeda Oxford
Ltd.
12/20/2016
Chinchilla
The Maryland Zoo