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Chins have an average lifespan of 10-15 years. Some have been known to have lived all the way into their 20s. |
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Chinchilla babies are referred to as "kits". |
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Martha Stewart has 15 pet chinchillas. |
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Wild chinchilla coats can cost you as upwards of $100,000 |
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Chinchillas are herbivores. |
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MF Chapman was the first man to bring the Chinchilla over to the US in hopes of repopulating their existence. He was only able to capture 11 chinchillas and established the first breeding program in the United States. |
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Chinchillas are native to the South Andes Mountains |
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Chinchillas are part of the rodent family |
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Chinchillas are nocturnal, which helps protect their young. |
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Chinchillas gestation period is 111 days and they could have up to 3 litters of kits per year. |
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Chinchilla kits are born fully furred with their eyes open.
Within a few hours after birth they are able to run and jump. Kits should weigh between 40 to 75 grams at birth. |
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There is an average of 1-4 kits born in each litter, the average is two. Some chins have had as many as five, but with that many kits, usually the mortality rate is high. |
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It takes atleast 100 chinchillas to make one medium length coat |
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Chinchillas do not need baths in water but do require regular dust baths. |
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Chinchillas will help groom each other. |
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Chinchillas are odorless, they do not have a scent similiar to a ferrets at all. |
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Chinchillas fur is so dense that not even fleas can live in it. |
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Chinchillas do not have dander, which is responsible for most pet allergies. With chinchillas, most allergies are to the hay or dust used. |
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Wild chinchillas can weigh as much as 1600 grams. |
