Chinchillas are originally from Southamerica. Already in the 16th century chinchilla-fur came up in Europe. Especillay in the 18th und 19th century chinchilla-furs were very popular. Because of this there was very much hunting in this time. Chinchillas are rodents and have a near relationship with guinea pigs and agutis. You can divide the species chinchilla into three groups: * Kings-Chinchilla (Chinchilla chinchilla chinchilla) These animals are nowadays extinct. The only dissected specimen in Germany is in the Senckenberg-Museum in Frankfurt/M. * Small Shorttail-Chinchilla (Chinchilla chinchilla boliviana) Ahese animals are also exterminated * Longtail-Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) This is the species of chinchillas that you nowadays find in Germany as pets or can buy in the pet shops. All of my little friends are of this species, so that this homepage only is about the Chinchilla lanigera Native country: Southamerica Living conditions: Anden up to 5000 meters, natural caves in poor regions with less humidity Length: 25 - 35 cm Tail: 15 - 20 cm Weight: 400 - 600 Gramm (manchmal auch bis zu 800 Gramm) Life expectancy: 15 - 22 Jahre Puberty: mit 4-5 Monaten Pregnancy: 111 Tage Babies per litter: 1 to 4 (sometimes up to 6) Natural colours: grey fur, belly lighter up to white Breeding colours: e.g. White, Silver, Ebony, Black Velvet, Beige, Brown, Brown Velvet (further informations about that you can see at "Colors")