Chinchilla (long-tailed chinchilla) (Chinchilla lanigera)

Short answers

Chinchilla (long-tailed chinchilla): How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 200×100×150 cm for 2 animals (recommendation: at least 2 m² of floor area, Kaninchenwiese small mammal overview 2025; minimum framework there 3 m² total area including levels with at least 1 m² floor, 50 cm width and 150 cm height, +0.5 m² per additional animal). Legal minimum in Austria 120×80×100 cm per pair plus 20 % per additional animal. Arrange levels so that no fall of more than 90 cm is possible.

Chinchilla (long-tailed chinchilla): What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–22 °C room temperature is ideal, at most about 25 °C (MSD: adapted to 18–27 °C). Chinchillas are very sensitive to heat: warmth combined with high humidity can quickly cause heatstroke; choose a cool room in summer.

Chinchilla (long-tailed chinchilla): Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not needed – crepuscular and nocturnal; a normal day-night rhythm in the room is enough, no direct sun on the enclosure.

Chinchilla (long-tailed chinchilla): How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years – a very long-term commitment.

Chinchilla (long-tailed chinchilla): Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–22 °C room temperature is ideal, at most about 25 °C (MSD: adapted to 18–27 °C). Chinchillas are very sensitive to heat: warmth combined with high humidity can quickly cause heatstroke; choose a cool room in summer.

Humidity

40–50 % (dry indoor air); high humidity mats the fur and increases the risk of heatstroke.

UVB

Not needed – crepuscular and nocturnal; a normal day-night rhythm in the room is enough, no direct sun on the enclosure.

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 200×100×150 cm for 2 animals (recommendation: at least 2 m² of floor area, Kaninchenwiese small mammal overview 2025; minimum framework there 3 m² total area including levels with at least 1 m² floor, 50 cm width and 150 cm height, +0.5 m² per additional animal). Legal minimum in Austria 120×80×100 cm per pair plus 20 % per additional animal. Arrange levels so that no fall of more than 90 cm is possible.

Substrate

Low-dust small-animal litter or hemp bedding, about 5–10 cm deep; plus a daily sand bath with 5–10 cm of special chinchilla sand (attapulgite, sepiolite or clay mineral, no bird or quartz sand).

Feeding

Food

The main food is high-quality hay (at all times) and a varied dried-herb mix; plus small amounts of low-grain chinchilla pellets, dried flowers, gnawing branches (hazel, apple, willow) and a little fresh food such as herbs or lettuce. Dried fruit and nuts only rarely in tiny amounts.

Feeding interval

Hay and water at all times; offer herbs and pellets in the evening, fresh food in small portions and changes gradually.

Key facts

Adult size

Head-body length 23–38 cm, tail up to 15 cm; weight 400–800 g, females heavier than males.

Life expectancy

15–20 years – a very long-term commitment.

Origin

Rocky Andean highlands of northern Chile; the wild form is endangered. Pets descend from fur-farm breeding since the 1920s.

Protection status

Pet chinchillas are the domesticated form and need no papers. The wild form is listed as Endangered by the IUCN and is in CITES Appendix I and EU Annex A – wild-caught animals are therefore out of the question.

Brumation

None – keep cool to moderate all year, but not below about 10 °C.

Cohabitation

Pair. Chinchillas are social and need at least one partner, e.g. same-sex pairs or a neutered male with a female; larger groups only with plenty of space and experience. Austria requires keeping them in pairs.

Notes

No plastic in the enclosure, wood non-toxic and untreated. Daily free-roaming in the evening in a secured room (cables, plants). When handled roughly, chinchillas shed patches of fur ('fur slip') – it takes months to grow back.

Do you keep this species?

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All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Chinchilla (long-tailed chinchilla) (Chinchilla lanigera) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 200×100×150 cm for 2 animals (recommendation: at least 2 m² of floor area, Kaninchenwiese small mammal overview 2025; minimum framework there 3 m² total area including levels with at least 1 m² floor, 50 cm width and 150 cm height, +0.5 m² per additional animal). Legal minimum in Austria 120×80×100 cm per pair plus 20 % per additional animal. Arrange levels so that no fall of more than 90 cm is possible.), substrate (Low-dust small-animal litter or hemp bedding, about 5–10 cm deep; plus a daily sand bath with 5–10 cm of special chinchilla sand (attapulgite, sepiolite or clay mineral, no bird or quartz sand).), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.