Post on 08-May-2015
Chinchilla
Jessie AmyotteGrade 6
Fessenden
Scientific Classification
• Scientific name: “Chinchilla Lanigera”
• Phylum: Chordata• Class: Mammalia• Order: Rodentina • Family: Chinchillade• Genus: Chinchilla
Appearance
• Broad Head• Fairly Large Ears• Large Black Eyes• Small Body• Bushy Tail • Strong Hind Legs• Pearl, Blue, Brown And Grey Fur
Habitat
• Lives in the Andes Mountains• Rock Crevasses• Peru• Argentina • South America• Bolivia• Chile
Life Cycle
• A Chinchilla is called a kit when born• Born with full fur• Breeds until the year they die• Born with open eyes • A kit weighs 45g• An adult weighs 450-900g• Litter of 2
Diet• Primarily Herbivores• Tree Bark• Grasses• Seeds • Fruits • Grains • Plants• Berries• Insects if there is no other foods (above)
How The Chinchilla contributes to the diversity of
life• It helps other species survive• Its re-using other animals homes• It eats common foods that grow back
easily
Predators
• Skunks• Birds• Cats• Snakes • Dogs• Foxes• Cougars• Mountain Lions
How Humans impact the environment of the Chinchilla
• They hunt Chinchillas for their fur• The Chinchilla runs and hides• Humans destroy their homes• The Chinchilla will bite if you get
too close
What can be done to help the Chinchilla survive?
• Stop hunting them for their fur• Stop fur trading• Stop logging• Stop destroying their habitat
Fun Facts
• A chinchilla can jump 6 feet up• The heart rate is 100 beats per min• The name Chinchilla comes from a
South American Indian tribe which means “Little Chinta”
• They live 10-20 years • They are nocturnal
References
• www.Chinchilla.com• www.Chinchilla Wikipedia.com• Animal Encyclopaedia • Ontario Chinchillas • Chinchilla Breeding• Andes Mountains