Chinchilla

**Chinchilla**
 In the wild, chinchillas can be found in the South American high andes, Chinchilla has a silvery grey fur, with black tipped hair, which is very silky and soft. Which became very popular in the fur trade in the late 19th century. Now they are an endangered species because of the fur and they are not easily found in the nature. But before that these rodents were quite popular.  Adult males weigh about 500 grams. The females are much bigger, between 600 and 800 grams. Chinchilla's have big round ears, and eyes. They have narrow hind feet that have four digits with stiff bristles around the weaker claws. Their tails have long gray and black hairs on the dorsal or back surface. The chinchilla stands about an inch from the ground when on its four feet, and it is about half the size of a rabbit. They are long-lived, with records of individuals surviving to be 20 years old and reproducing until the age of 15.  Chinchilla's usually live in herds and there are no dominant males or females that lead the group. They are nocturnal animals and the colder the weather is at high altitudes, the denser the chinchilla's fur is. The chinchilla's ability to jump, cling, and climb over rocks, protects it from predators and helps it to survive in the wild. Chinchilla's are herbivores. In the wild they eat plants, roots, and grasses.  Because chinchilla fur makes soft and beautiful coats, millions of chinchillas were killed for their pelts until they became nearly extinct in the 40's. To make one chinchilla coat you need 120 to 150 pelts. They are now on the endangered species list, and are protected by law. Sources: [] [] [] [] [] Done by Ida-Maija and Saija