Wild Chinchilla Diet

The wild chinchilla, or Chinchilla lanigera, is native to the rocky and mountainous regions of northern Chile. There are two types of wild chinchillas: short-tailed chinchillas and long-tailed chinchillas. Chinchillas are known for the silver/gray fur which is very soft. They are an endangered species largely due to the fact that they are hunted for their pelts. Short-haired chinchillas are no longer found in the wild and long-haired chinchillas are only found in a small portion of their original habitat.

  1. Diet

    • Wild chinchillas often eat plants that are members of the cactus family.

      The wild chinchilla is an herbivore. It feeds on grasses, flowers, roots, plant stems, fruits, herbs, seeds and insects. Chinchillas live in dry, hot climates and because of this, they often feed on plants that are members of the cactus family. Feces of the wild chinchilla were analyzed in 2002 and researchers found that the wild chinchillas were "opportunistic generalized herbivores" meaning that they will eat almost any kind of plant they can find in their environment. Chinchillas usually do not drink water as they get the majority of their water from the succulent plants they eat in the wild.

    Eating Habits

    • Chinchillas are nocturnal for the most part, sleeping during the day inside their burrows and feeding during the nighttime hours. Chinchillas have also been known to feed during the early morning hours. Chinchillas sit in an erect position when they eat.

    Baby Chinchillas

    • Chinchillas are mammals. They are born with hair and drink their mother's milk when they are very young. Baby chinchillas nurse for approximately seven weeks before moving to solid foods.

    Habitat

    • Wild chinchillas live in harsh, arid environments where food can be scarce.

      Because chinchillas live in harsh, dry climates, food can often be scarce, especially during the winter months. Because of this, chinchillas are very adaptable about what plants they will eat. They eat almost any kind of vegetation that grows in their natural habitat.

    Environmental Benefits

    • Chinchillas eat fruits and other seed-bearing plants and distribute the seeds in their feces.

      Wild chinchillas are extremely beneficial to the environment because they eat fruits and other seed-bearing plants and then distribute those seeds in their feces. New plants grow where the seeds were dropped.