Help! Chinchilla invasion - need practical info on care

Hey!

A couple of chinchillas are coming to live with me. We take in orphaned pets and either keep them or find them good homes. The impending birth of a two-legged baby has displaced the chinchillas from their current home. So today I become the mother of 2, male and female, both just under a year old.

I've looked on-line and have talked with my vet, but practical experience and tips from other chinchilla parents would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Chinchilla pictures (not the ones coming to live with me)

But my roomie is. What I know of them:

They chew on everything. Therefore, it is a bad idea to let them roam free in the house as your furniture, carpets and all other belongings are in danger.

They are excellent escape artists. They can run very fast, hide in very small spaces and escape through the smallest of holes. They are also very squirmy and can be skittish, so if you are trying to hold them be very careful as they will try their darndest to escape your hands/arms.

Their feet and legs are incredibly fragile, and if they fall from a height they can easily break them. If they do they will not heal...the animal will need to be put to sleep. :-( This is one reason it is very important not to let them fall from your arms or jump out of the cage from a height.

They poop almost constantly! Another reason not to let them roam freely in your house. :rofl:



However, they are lots of fun to have around. A hut or other hiding place inside the cage is essential. Also get them a wheel for their cage (one that attaches to the side of the cage is best so that it won't be bouncing all around the cage). "Lava bites" (which are small blocks of actual lava) are good for them to chew on, as are small pieces of wood. Of course no matter how many things you give them to chew on, they'll still chew on their hut and everything else that you don't want them to. :shrug:

I'll be adding this to my booklet I'm printing up.