Chinchillas: The Cutest Rodents Alive (For Now)

July 17, 2023

Chinchillas: The Cutest Rodents Alive (For Now)

Introduction

Chinchillas are one of the cutest rodents nature has to offer, at least for the time being. Did you know there are only an estimated 10,000 chinchillas left in the wild? That is a 90% decrease over the past 15 years. Chinchillas live up to 10 years in the wilderness and up to 20 in the hands of experts or great pet owners (making them one of the longest-living rodents if managed properly).

Fun Fact: Did you know that Chinchillas have 50-70 hairs that come from ONE SINGLE hair follicle? To put it in perspective, humans only have 2-3 hairs growing from one hair follicle.

Chinchillas live in the Andres mountains and Valdivian Forest in Chile and Argentina, South America.

They live in dens and holes that are up to 9,800-16,400 ft in elevation in mountainous areas.

This species is so endangered the IUCN is worried the population is too small to naturally repopulate.

So What and Why Care?

So What

So, what’s their role in the ecosystem? Chinchillas are great at keeping their ecosystem blooming as they help spread seeds around by constantly misplacing them. Look at forgetful animals helping the ecosystem!

Why Care

Chinchillas are prey to eagles, hawks, snakes, skunks, and humans. Although the extent of the damage extinction would cause hasn’t been measured, removing a major food source to other threatened or endangered animals (such as the Harpy Eagle, a South American bird) could have a detrimental ripple effect.

Fun Fact: If chinchillas are under attack, they quickly shed a lump of fur and leave a predator behind with a faux chinchilla.

Cause of Decline: Humans

Who is to blame for the severe decline in Chinchillas? Humans...of course.

Gold Mining

Apparently, or lucky for them, Chinchillian habits are sitting on top of significant amounts of gold. So if they're rich why are they endangered? Well, it's because humans want gold more than Chinchillas do. Mining is a huge contributor to the decline of the species. You can find multiple articles about the millions worth of gold their habitats sit on and the "conservation efforts" to relocate them so that mining can continue.

Either way, Chinchilla's habitats are being destroyed to make humans rich.

Poachers

We have all seen fur coats, and Chinchilian fur is seen as a luxury. Their coat is beautiful, thick, and warm making a perfect expensive fur coat. Between 1900-09 half a million skins were officially exported per year.

The animals are often hunted for their fur and for food! Although fur coats are now "canceled" this new cultural perspective came too late for the species. If you see any fur coats out there please remember NOT to purchase them.

Deforestation

As human settlements and agriculture expand they are encroaching on the chinchilla's habitats. We farm their land and build roads and homes on top of it, leaving the species with limited resources and food. Unfortanelty, chinchillas do not adapt well to new habitats, so they sadly die.

Conservation Efforts

Ha. Sorry, I'm not saying conservation is a joke but it is failing chinchillas. So although the species has been endangered since 2016 the population is still only approximately 10,000. Either way below are a few conservation efforts I could find.

Legislation

Laws were enacted to prevent the hunting of chinchillas in 1929 but weren't enforced until 1983, sparking the creation of the Las Chinchillas National Reserve.

Chile's National Protection Plan

As gold mines began to mine in chinchilla habitats, the government began to take notice. In 2020-2021 Chile's government published a national protection plan for chinchilla conservation that can be found here. This plan calls for working groups for more research on the species.

How Geospatial Tools Can Help

Although gold mining companies are aware of the presence of chinchillas, conservation could become more effective and concrete if we were able to identify specific areas that MUST be conserved due to a high population of the species or find the most suitable areas for relocation especially since chinchillas are not an adaptable species.

How You Can Help!

1) Do NOT buy fur clothing

This photo is from a protest against the use of wolf fur for a clothing brand called Canada Goose. Although this isn't chinchilla we as a people must stop poaching animals for fashion statements. As we continue to push sustainability, luxury brands such as Gucci, Armani, and Versace have agreed to stop using animal fur in their products.

The poaching of chinchillas has to stop.

2) Donate to Forever Feisty Chinchilla

This 501(c)3 nonprofit will use all donations towards the daily needs and rescue expenses for chinchillas.

Donate here

3) Keep a chinchilla as a pet

Although these chinchillas are not from the wild or illegally obtained, keeping a furry friend as a pet can help keep the species alive. In case the species goes extinct they will not just be a memory. Additionally, chinchillas can last 2x as long in the care of humans!

4) Spread the Word

It is not common knowledge that this adorable rodents are endangered. Please spread the word! Here is a funny informational video you can share along with a call to action.

Instagram Link

5) Follow Save the Wild Chinchillas Facebook Page