Chinchillas are adorable creatures that can live long lives if you take proper care. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there on how long they live. So we put together a post that clears up some of the confusion and gives you authentic and correct info on chinchilla lifespan.
Chinchillas live an average of 10-12 years. However, their lifespan varies based on a few factors.
The chinchilla’s life expectancy is determined by several factors: genetics, diet, environment, and cage size.
Chinchilla genetics play a powerful role in determining how long they will live. Some chinchilla breeders select for certain traits (like fur length) that will cause shorter chinchilla lifespans. For example, a breeder seeking to produce show-quality chinchillas may select for animals with shorter fur, which can cause health problems later in life because of excessive heat buildup due to lack of body coverage.
An animal’s diet is also important in determining its lifespan; animals that eat well live longer than those whose diets are deficient in vitamins or nutrients. Chinchillas need a lot of protein (15-20%), fat (2-5%), fiber (15-35%), and water (2 oz/day).
How long does a chinchilla live in captivity?
If you’re looking for a chinchilla as a pet, it’s important to understand how long the animal typically lives. A well-cared-for pet chinchilla can live for up to 20 years, but the average lifespan in captivity is around 10 years.
The oldest chinchilla ever recorded was from Germany, who died in California and lived to be 29 years and 229 days old! Radar was so old when he died, his caretaker had to ask Guinness to create a new category for him: Oldest living chinchilla.
If you want your pet chinchilla to be around for its full potential lifespan, it’s important to make sure it has everything it needs: plenty of space, constant access to fresh water and food pellets, and toys to keep it occupied. Pet chinchillas need a lot of attention too—every week or two, they should get time out of their housing to run around and play with you.
Often, owners believe that their chinchillas have died if they go silent for a few days—but this is actually the normal way for them to sleep! Chinchillas do not sleep in the same way we do; they are most active at night and sleep during the day.
Your pet chinchilla will need a vet checkup at least once every year, and if you have questions about its health or behavior, call your vet immediately.
How long does a chinchilla live in the wild?
Chinchillas are rodents that are native to the Andes mountains in South America. They have become popular exotic pets, but they also live in the wild, where the climate is not as stable as a pet owner might like. The chinchilla’s lifespan can be anywhere from 10 to 12 years in captivity, whereas in the wild it can be more like 8-10 years.
How can you extend the lifespan of your chinchilla?
Chinchillas are a long-living animal. They can live to be 20+ years old, but this isn’t always the case. To ensure that your chinchilla lives as long as possible, follow these steps:
1) Get to know your chinchillas’ personality. Chinchillas can be shy, quiet or wild, loud and energetic depending on how you treat them. This is important because if you put a chinchilla in a cage with other chinchillas who have the same personality, they will get along with each other much better than if you put them in a cage with ones that have distinct personalities.
2) Find a good breeder who knows what they’re doing, and knows how to care for the chinchilla properly, so they don’t end up with any health issues.
3) Provide a proper diet and nutrition, and make sure that their food is balanced (with enough calcium, protein, etc.)
4) Make sure that your chinchilla has plenty of enrichment toys to play with and chew on, like wooden toys and cardboard boxes!
5) Make sure you provide your chinchilla with enough space by providing them with a larger cage than they need if you have the room. This will allow them to get exercise by climbing on their cage bars and around their sleeping area.
6) Take your chinchilla outside for supervised training and playtime in an enclosed area that’s safe for them to run in. This will help them be more active than just being in a cage sitting all day.
7) If you are considering breeding your chinchilla, then I highly recommend that you develop a relationship with a veterinarian or a breeder who specializes in breeding the chinchillas.
8) Another thing you should think about is whether you have a vet who specializes in treating chinchillas; even if you can’t afford one, it might be worth looking into because they can provide treatments that are specific to the chinchilla.
How can you tell your chinchilla’s age?
It’s hard to tell your chinchilla’s age because it’s so difficult distinguishing between their different stages of development.
Here are the best ways I’ve found to estimate your chinchilla’s age:
1. Best bet is to ask your vet or breeder. If you’re not sure who that is or if they don’t have an answer for you, try calling your local animal shelter. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction. If they can’t help you, they may know someone who can!
2. Look at your chinchilla’s teeth if it has any visible ones (the ones that grow inside their mouth). Adult Chinchillas have 20 teeth. This method isn’t super accurate, but it can estimate certain points in time, like when your chinchilla was born or when it reached maturity (about 7-8 months after birth).
The average chinchilla life cycle
The average chinchilla life cycle varies depending on the chinchilla’s genetic, sex and breed and care.
The average life cycle of a male chinchilla begins when a baby chinchilla (called a kit) is born to a mother chinchilla. The kit will remain with its mother for approximately 55 days before being weaned and separated from the mother. Kits are then removed from their mothers.
The average life cycle of a female chinchilla begins at the same point as that of a male—with the birth of a kit to its mother. However, once the kit reaches 60 days in age, it is no longer considered a kit, but an adolescent. Generally, an adolescent chinchilla will remain with its mother for approximately another 90 days (you can leave them indefinitely too!), during which it will learn how to socialize and eat solid food pellets. After this period, an adolescent will be removed from its mother and placed in groups with other young girls where they are taught how to groom each other. We refer to this process as “bonding”.
Chinchillas reach maturity after one to two years, depending on how long they were separated from their mothers while they were weaned and how much they were fed. Mature chinchillas are ready to mate after one year. The female has a gestation period of between 10.4 (108-112) days. The female estrous cycle length is 35.7+/-7.9 (15-62) days. Young kits weigh an average of 85 grams, and they are furred at birth.
Conclusion
Chinchillas can live up to 20 years, but the average lifespan in captivity is 10 years. This is because chinchillas are very sensitive to temperature and are easily stressed by changes in their environment. Ensure you are taking proper care to extend the life of your chinchilla as much as possible.