What Is the Natural Habitat of Chinchillas?

Though most well-known as pets, wild chinchillas still exist in very small numbers. There are currently two species of chinchillas in the wild: the short-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla brevicaudata) and the long-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera.)

Geography

Chinchillas are native to isolated sections of the South American Andes. Both species of chinchillas currently reside in northern Chile, though their original habitat extended into Peru, Argentina and Bolivia.

Features

The chinchilla's natural habitat is mountainous, barren terrain with an abundance of holes and crevices in which the chinchillas can hide and nest. Chinchillas are found at elevations of 9,800 to 16,400 feet.

Food Sources

Wild chinchillas are opportunistic omnivores that feed mostly on an assortment of available grasses, roots and seeds. They also occasionally eat bird eggs and insects.

Adaptations

Chinchillas have adapted to the severe cold of their high-mountain habitat by growing thick, insulating fur. Chinchillas at higher altitudes tend to have thicker fur than those living at lower altitudes.

Considerations

Chinchillas are protected in their natural habitat. However, due to that habitat's isolation, laws designed to protect the species from poaching---for use in the pet trade and for their fur---are difficult to enforce.

References

• EDGE: Short-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla brevicaudata)
• Blue Planet Biomes: Chinchilla
• ARKive: Long-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera)
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Animal Diversity Web: Chinchilla lanigera