The chinchilla lanigera has a longer tail than the chinchilla brevicaudata, with a tail length of 10-15 cm compared to 5-10 cm. The chinchilla lanigera also has a denser fur than the chinchilla brevicaudata, with a fur density of 20,000-25,000 hairs per square centimeter compared to 15,000-20,000 hairs per square centimeter.
The chinchilla lanigera is found in the Andes Mountains of Chile, while the chinchilla brevicaudata is found in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. The chinchilla lanigera lives at higher altitudes than the chinchilla brevicaudata, with a range of 3,000-5,000 m above sea level compared to 1,000-4,000 m above sea level.
The chinchilla lanigera is a diurnal species, while the chinchilla brevicaudata is a nocturnal species. The chinchilla lanigera is a herbivore, while the chinchilla brevicaudata is an omnivore.
The chinchilla lanigera is a social species, living in groups of up to 100 individuals, while the chinchilla brevicaudata is a solitary species, living alone or in pairs. The chinchilla lanigera is a territorial species, while the chinchilla brevicaudata is not.
The chinchilla lanigera is a threatened species, with a population of less than 10,000 individuals, while the chinchilla brevicaudata is a vulnerable species, with a population of less than 50,000 individuals.