JR Grainless Mixed Drops for rodents and rabbits 140g

chinchillaNative to:Chinchillas are native to the Andes in South America. Once living in their millions in the rugged, rocky mountainous regions, they were hunted so much for their dense and soft fur that they were almost wiped out.Description and nature:Chinchillas are rodents. Their close relatives are guinea pigs. Chinchillas are nocturnal animals and, to the regret of small children, are not cuddly and cuddly animals, so this should be borne in mind when buying one. Their standard colour is light grey to dark grey, with a lightened to white coat on the belly. The following colour variations have also been created through breeding: White, silver, black velvet (black), beige, brown, brown velvet and violet. The size of a chinchilla is about 25 - 35 cm and the tail 15 - 20 cm, the weight is 400 - 600 grams. These animals can reach a very high age for a rodent, up to 20 years as a pet.Care:Chinchillas are kept as pets in pairs or groups. They need company to feel really comfortable. That's why you should never keep just one animal. It is best to buy two females that have grown up together or a mother and daughter. Two male chinchillas do not get along.If you decide on a pair, you need to bear in mind that there will be offspring. If this is undesirable, find a small animal vet or veterinary clinic to have the male neutered.As chinchillas are very active animals, a chinchilla home needs to be very large. Large indoor aviaries are best.The cage should be equipped with plenty of perches. Sleeping houses, cork tubes and climbing branches should also be included. As chinchillas have a strong gnawing instinct, the furnishings need to be replaced often.A sand bath with special sand is a must for chinchillas. Otherwise their fine fur would soon become greasy and sticky.The cage should be placed in a quiet place so that the animals are not disturbed during the day.Legal requirements: Enclosure min. 100x50x150cm for 2 animals (not our recommendation!) Retreats for all animals Three-dimensional furniture, perches Coarse-textured food: hay or straw fresh branches Sand bath Group or pair keeping Cage equipment includes: Bedding and hay Various sleeping houses made of wood or cork Perches Sand bath Food bowl, hay rack and drinking bottle Food:Chinchillas need special food. Their main diet consists of coarse hay and various herbs. A special feed mixture for chinchillas can also be fed. Only ever feed fresh fruit and vegetables in very small quantities - risk of diarrhoea! Special supplementary feed is available as a treat and dessert. Chinchillas are very susceptible to intestinal disorders, so rapid changes of food should be avoided.Fresh water should always be available.Breeding:Chinchillas become sexually mature at around 4 to 5 months. The average gestation period is 111 days. They usually give birth to 1 - 4 young and can become pregnant 3 times a year. The young are born fully developed, hairy and with open eyes. They are not placed in a nest, but on the bare ground. At birth, the young weigh approx. 35-50 grams and eat solid food within the first few days of life. At the age of 30 days they weigh around 151 grams, at three months 350 grams and at seven months the chinchillas have reached their adult weight. The young animals should not be separated from their mother before eight weeks, as they are still suckling.How much does a chinchilla cost as a pet (approximate monthly average for 2 animals): Food: approx. Fr. 40.-- Bedding and hay: approx. CHF 25. Vet: The more species-appropriate and cleaner the husbandry, the less likely it is that you will have to visit the vet. Nevertheless, you must always be prepared for the fact that an animal may fall ill and incur additional costs. Before you decide to buy chinchillas, you should definitely read a specialised book.Chinchillas are not cuddly animals and are therefore unsuitable for small children. They do not like to be stroked or carried around. The following applies to all animals: children (including adolescents) must be supervised and controlled by their parents. Children should know that animals are not toys!Our trained team at Zoo Roco is on hand to answer any questions or resolve any issues. They can provide expert advice on all matters.