Can a chinchilla lose its tail for defense?

Yes, chinchillas have the ability to shed their tail fur as a defense mechanism. When threatened by a predator, the chinchilla will constrict the skin and muscles at the base of its tail, causing the tail fur to easily detach and be left in the predator's mouth. This response, known as caudal autotomy, allows the chinchilla to escape and regrow its tail over time.