Levels of Classification for Chinchillas

Chinchillas are small South American mammals that grow to around a foot in length and between 1 and 2 lbs. in weight. They have thick, fluffy fur which has led to the animal becoming commonly used in the fur trade. As with all animals, the chinchilla is scientifically classed in a number of groups based on common traits.

  1. Class

    • The chinchilla belongs to the animal class known as Mammalia which includes around 5,000 other species. The members of this class can range from the small mammals like chinchillas to the massive whales such as the blue whale. The chinchilla meets the requirements of being a mammal by having hair, inner ear bones and the ability to produce milk to feed its young. No other class of animals can do these things.

    Order

    • The mammalian class of animals is further broken down into 26 different orders of which the chinchilla belongs to the order Rodentia. This order has around 2,000 different species listed within it. To be classified in this order the chinchilla only needs to meet one requirement which is dentition suitable for gnawing. All rodents have specialized teeth with two upper and two lower incisors designed to gnaw efficiently.

    Suborder

    • Rodentia is further broken down into four suborders of which the chinchilla belongs to the suborder Hystricomorpha. The 230 members of this suborder are some of the world's largest rodents such as capybara and porcupines. All of the species in Hystricomorpha live in the Americas, Africa or Asia. They are also mainly vegetarian animals, and several species are hunted for food in their home areas.

    Family

    • In the Hystricomorpha suborder their are 18 families of rodents of which chinchillas belong to the Chinchillidae family. This family contains just six species of animal all of which are found in South America. They are medium to large rodents with thick fur and long, bushy tails. Aside from chinchillas the members of this family include mountain viscachas and plains viscachas.

    Genus and Species

    • Within the family Chinchillidae, chinchillas belong to the genus Chinchilla. Only two species are in this genus, the short-tailed and common chinchillas. Both are very similar in appearance with the common chinchilla found only in northern Chile. The short-tailed chinchilla is slightly more common and is found in Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile.