Photo by Joel Sartore

Scientific Name: Chinchilla lanigera

When a chinchilla takes a bath, it uses dust instead of water to help remove moisture from its thick fur.

• Size: Weight: 1 to 2 pounds; Head to body length: 9 to 15 inches; Tail length: 3 to 6 inches
• Diet: Grasses and grains
• Habitat: Mountainous areas
• Range in the Wild: Extreme Western South American Andes mountains, and Chile

Conservation Status

Listed as Critically Endangered. Wild populations have declined over 80% decline in last decade due to being hunted for their fur.

Learn more about this animal.