These animals are highly adaptable, and can therefore usually find food no matter where they are without much difficulty. They can only consume foods that are available in their natural habitat. Pus in your female chinchilla's uterus is a serious condition that develops after she has developed if left untreated, the underlying infection can spread to other parts of your chinchilla's body. They would be whatever small insect is available in the Andes Mountains. They live in colonies called "herds" at high elevations of up to 4,270 m (14,000 ft). Domestic chinchillas shouldn't have anything of the sort. Chinchilla Behaviour. But what exactly does this mean? 5 years ago. Chinchillas are native to the cold mountains of the Andes in South America, and as such, they have very thick fur. -In The Wild-It is key to point out what chinchillas eat in nature before we take a look at ones bred in captivity. There, they eat food with a high fibre content. The leaves are very popular with chinchillas, however avoid picking them from roadsides or from lawns that have been treated with chemicals. Even healthy chinchillas eat poop, and that’s okay because it contains a high amount of minerals nutrients. As stated a moment ago, understanding what a chinchilla eats and what a chinchilla should be eating is one of the most critical aspects of owning a chinchilla. What Do Chinchillas Eat and Understanding A Chinchillas Diet. Do Wild Chinchillas Live in Groups? What do Chinchillas Eat in the Wild? So if you find your Chinchilla sleeping in an awkward or compromising position, don’t be scared! They require a high fiber, low carbohydrate, and low fat diet. Chinchillas are either of two species (Chinchilla chinchilla and Chinchilla lanigera) of crepuscular rodents of the parvorder Caviomorpha.They are slightly larger and more robust than ground squirrels, and are native to the Andes mountains in South America. The other species being c. Chins in captivity also benefit from. Photo from What do Chinchillas Eat? Because of the potentially low temperatures that wild chinchillas must endure, their thick fur is necessary for their survival. What do Chinchillas Eat in the Wild? Before we dive into answering the question “what do chinchillas eat?” it’s important to understand how chinchillas differ from other animals and pets. Chinchillas are mostly vegetarians. Another wild herb which is fine for chinchillas to eat are dandelions. Eating their own feces is also common practice for the animals in order to get some crucial nutrients. When it comes to a well-balanced chinchilla meal plan, two things are very important: grass hay and chinchilla pellets. Chinchillas eat a mixture of hay and pellets. I know that chinchillas eat small insects but does anyone know what those are? Wild chinchillas live in groups called herds. I thought you meant as a pet even though your title says in the wild...i always get those two mixed up. While they do eat small insects, they are mostly herbivores. Experts are insistent that domestic chinchillas need a predominance of hay in their diet. If you’re bringing one of these little guys into your home, it’s an important question to consider. Chinchillas are exotic pets; they take a little extra care. What Do Wild Name Eat? Herbivores must have food moving constantly through their digestive system to avoid health problems. They will consume stalks, stems, leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds and roots, depending on what time of year it is. Chinchillas have a very specialized digestion system and are natural foragers; their diet at home should mimic their diet in the wild. What are the possible risks? What Do Wild Chinchillas Eat? Primarily, they eat grass and seeds, but they also eat insects and bird eggs when they get the chance. Adult females are about 30 percent larger than males; the difference is a bit less pronounced in the wild. Table of Contents. The best place to start with this will be learning what chinchillas would usually eat in the wild. They feed upon vegetation. These cute creatures are very unique in their nutritional needs and the foods that they can eat. Chinchillas are herbivores, meaning they eat only plant material. Their diet is quite different and can result in making your chinchilla seriously ill. In fact, chinchillas have the densest fur of all land mammals. Do chinchillas eat insects? Anonymous. Chinchillas use a “strength in numbers” approach to surviving predator attacks in the wild. What do Chinchillas eat? Living in herds offers distinct advantages: There will always be mates available nearby. It is also reported that they may eat the odd grub too, but I believe that this is probably more by accident than design, as chinchillas would not take the time to wash their food. This allows chinchillas to reproduce quickly and easily. In the wild, chinchillas burrow under rocks or in the ground for shelter. Click here to edit subtitle. A wild chinchilla often eats seeds, nuts, grass leaves, twigs, insects and seeds; things often found in their natural habitat. What Should I Feed My Chinchilla? Chinchilla Diet. They are sociable creatures that live in groups called ‘herds’ and can live for up to 22 years. Basic Chinchilla Diet. I envy Gary often since he can curl up into any position and be happy. Clean water is also important. And you’ll find out how a well-rounded daily intake will keep their fragile digestive system from getting imbalanced. Not knowing exactly what a chinchilla eats or should be eating could cause adverse health impacts on your chinchillas that we want to avoid at all costs. To our knowledge, these are the only two studies of the wild chinchilla diet, but there may be more in Spanish that we don’t have ready access to. Happy chinchilla-ing...or something like that ;D. –––– Gah! In domestic settings, chinchillas usually eat seeds, grains, and vegetables, just like most other domestic rodents. Fast and furry-ous. They live in very dry areas in the wild, and they mainly consume water from morning dew and cacti. In the wild, Chinchillas live in social groups called herds which contain around 100 individuals. https://chinchillastuff.com/chinchillas-eat-diet-food-treats The animals have been observed in the wild eating small insects, seeds, fruits, and plant leaves. Let’s get going! A chinchilla does not usually hunt other small rodents, of course, but they are known to occasionally snack on an insect or bird egg in their wild habitat. That’s what I’ll discuss in this article. The chinchilla is related to guinea pigs and porcupines. Foods to avoid. 20. The only human interaction chinchillas had for many years was when they were being hunted. The lifespan of chinchillas lasts approximately 8-10 years in the wild or in habitats they aren’t used to. They are social animals living in colonies or herds; chinchillas usually have litters of one or two offspring. Your home is obviously not going to be the chinchilla’s typical habitat, so you are going to need to do what you can to provide an environment for the chinchilla that replicates it, from sand baths to the food that it would typically eat. Commercialization. The natural diet of a wild chinchilla consists of nuts, seeds, insects (and larvae), leaves, and even twigs. Chinchillas in the wild eat a few things that pet chinchillas don't get. Diet of Chinchillas . Chinchillas are a breed of pets that have recently started to rise in popularity. In the wild, chinchillas don’t have access to such a huge variety of foods as domesticated animals do. What do wild chinchillas eat? The plant photos are contained in the second, 1983, study. Similarly, pet chinchillas should be offered food twice a day but may consume food throughout the day, as they tend to eat more slowly than other small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. RE: What insects do wild chinchillas eat? Their fur also helps reduces evaporation. While eating, chinchillas sit upright on their hind legs and hold the food in their front paws. However, it stands to reason that such a diet won’t be risk-free. This is accomplished by feeding your chinchilla a diet that consists of highfiber - grass hay, a fortified pellet diet, and fresh produce. As this would be the case for chinchillas in the wild, keeping a chinchilla as a pet requires a balanced diet that’s healthier for them. What Is The Best Food For Chinchillas? Chinchillas would sleep in the rocks and crevices in the hot daylight hours and explore during the night when it was cool and much safer to find food to eat. “What do chinchillas eat?” Have you ever wondered? When the sun rises, wild chinchillas retreat to their underground dens. The concept itself isn’t wrong since wild chinchillas consume insects every once in a while. Avoid buying pellets that contain fillers like corn or soy, nuts, seeds, vegetables or vegetable products, and fruits. Unfortunately, chinchillas have a large number of common predators in the wild, facing threats from the sky, such as hawks and owls, while also defending themselves against cougars, foxes, and snakes on the ground. They are primarily herbivorous and it is best to retain this balance in a domestic chinchilla’s diet also. Chinchillas may also occasionally eat insects they come across in their natural habitat. Young ones eat adult poop because it contains vital nutrients. Two Studies Of The Wild Chinchilla Diet, And Plant Photos. Human Interaction. These dens are often in and around the cardon plant, but sometimes also in and around rocks. Wild chinchillas might eat the odd bug, but not many. In the wild, chinchillas eat a diet of seeds, fruits, plant leaves, and small insects. Source: Pixabay. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. When looking for roughage, a couple of healthful choices are orchard grass, oat, alpine and alfalfa. Chinchillas Don’t Care How They Sleep. I’ll list the exact foods that are helpful for their dietary needs. Chinchillas are omnivores; they eat both plants and meat. But understanding chinchilla diets is the first step in creating a long and healthy life for your chin. 1 0. Domestic chinchillas, which have been selectively bred for nearly 100 years, are almost twice the size of wild chinchillas. A wild chinchillas diet consists mainly of sticks, leaves, and just about any other type of vegetation found on the forest floors of North and South America. This Site Might Help You. However, when they are domesticated, they will feed on commercial feed pellets. They mostly live in colder climates, for which they are well-adapted because of their dense fur. In the wild, chinchillas eat bark off trees to obtain fiber, which is essential in the diet. Chinchillas have relatively long lives. Pop tarts are toaster pastries which are matted inside two layers of thin pastry (bread) crust. They consume mainly grasses but will also munch on certain leaves and twigs as well as natural fruits. Standard bdc female born on 19th of december. Understanding the importance of what do Chinchillas eat, can help your pet thrive in a healthy and happy home. Chinchillas are strictly herbivores and feed primarily on seeds and grass, they also eat a variety of other vegetation and plant matter. These herds can be large, anywhere from a dozen up to a hundred individuals. These animal are foragers, spending a large portion of their time looking for and storing food each day. This trait comes from Chinchillas burrowing into any hole they see fit in the wild. Below are the reasons why. Type of food chinchillas can eat. Chinchillas in the wild will eat a variety of plants, shrubs, and grasses. WARNING: Do not feed your chinchilla foods that wild chinchillas might eat. Wild chinchillas typically eat plants, seeds, small insects and fruits. Why do you have to be so dang distracting! There, the wild chinchillas eat fruit. Yes, chinchillas can eat insects if presented in moderation. They tend to be around the most in summer and early autumn but quite often, you can find dandelion leaves throughout the year. It also helps them avoid inbreeding. Wild chinchillas would adopt a 'look-out' chinchilla who would stay alert to potential threats as the colony emerged from their burrows to feed and play.