Fauna
Mammal

Short-tailed Chinchilla

Chinchilla chinchilla

Also known as Bolivian Chinchilla, Peruvian Chinchilla, Royal Chinchilla

Short-tailed chinchillas are incredibly soft-furred rodents adapted to the harsh, freezing winds of the high Andes, where they live in social colonies within rocky crevices. They navigate steep, vertical terrain with remarkable agility, using their long whiskers to sense their surroundings in the dark. Once widespread, their populations were decimated by the global fur trade, leaving only small, fragmented wild groups in remote mountain areas.

High-AltitudeNocturnal
Short-tailed Chinchilla reference
Unknown / CC-BY · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyHerbivorous (grasses, seeds, lichens, and mosses)
Predators
  • Andean Mountain Cat
  • Culpeo Fox
  • Birds of Prey
ThreatsHabitat degradation, mining activities, illegal poaching, and genetic isolation
HabitatsRocky montane grasslands and shrublands at high elevations
Life span8 to 10 years in the wild
Classification
  1. FamilyChinchillidae
  2. SpeciesChinchilla chinchilla
Range & activity
Native
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Capable of a sharp bite if cornered or handled; observe wild populations from a safe distance.
What to notice
Look for a stocky, blue-grey rodent with a short, bushy tail, small ears, and incredibly dense fur.
Support conservation
Never attempt to capture or disturb wild colonies; report any sightings to local conservation authorities.
Responsible observation
  • Scan rocky crevices: Look for them sunbathing on rocky ledges during early morning hours.
  • Listen for vocalizations: Listen for high-pitched squeaks and warning whistles echoing off canyon walls.
  • Keep your distance: Avoid approaching active colonies to prevent scaring them into deep rock fissures.
Related species
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