Chinchillas usually live about 15 years, but can live as much as 20 years with the proper care. Their bodies are about 10-14 inches long, and the tail adds another 5 or 6 inches.
If chinchillas are handled gently from a very young age, they will usually be tame and have a close bond with their owners. They do have times when they don't want to be held however. They are active and extremely playful, and can be kept alone, and usually do well with same sex pairs if they are litter mates, or introduced to each other when they are very young.
Usually, chinchillas are only active at night, since they are nocturnal. They are even referred to as crepuscular, which means that they are active most at dusk and down. During the day, they should be put in an area that is quiet, so they can rest. Due to the fact that they can become stressed when changes occur, they should be fed at the same time every day. They also need to have a cage that is large enough for them to move and play in since they become extremely active. Chinchillas also do not need to be in an area that is over 75 degrees, since they can overheat fast. This should be avoided, since they can die if they get too hot.
Chinchillas need a great amount of roughage in their diet, and needs to be comprised of a high quality grass and pellets that are made for chinchillas. They don't need too many treats, only a teaspoon per day is fine. Chinchillas have very sensitive digestive systems, so any diet changes will need to be made gradually. This can be accomplished by mixing a little of the new food with more of the older food, and gradually increasing the amount of new food until only new food is there. A pelleted diet is best for chinchillas, to be sure they get all of the nutrients they need.
A chinchilla cage is best if it is large and tall, and one with ladders and shelves is great, since chinchillas love to explore and play. The best material for a cage is wire, and don't get plastic since chinchillas love to chew and destroy any plastic items. You can line the tray with wood shavings, but not cedar, since it can cause problems for their respiratory systems. Newspaper or aspen shavings are preferred. Wire floors are hard on the feet of chinchillas, so should be avoided. If you have wire floors, it is a good idea to cover the floor with wood. They also need a nest box that is comprised of wood as well.
You should put the cage in a place where it is cool, and not prone to excessive noise during the day. They should never be placed in direct sunlight, or in areas where they temperature gets over 75 degrees. Putting the cage on a stand or table will allow the animal to feel more secure.
They need a water bottle that is made of glass, so they cannot chew it up, and a food hopper that attaches to the cage is best, since it will not be tipped over or get dirty.
When you know that proper tips to caring for chinchillas, you can have a very happy pet that lives for many happy years.
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