Species · GBIF taxon 4264738
Short-tailed Chinchilla
Chinchilla chinchillaAlso 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-AltitudeEndangeredNocturnal
Licensed referenceUnknown / CC-BY · cc-by
- diet
- Herbivorous (grasses, seeds, lichens, and mosses)
- family
- Chinchillidae
- threats
- Habitat degradation, mining activities, illegal poaching, and genetic isolation
- life Span
- 8 to 10 years in the wild
EN
Capable of a sharp bite if cornered or handled; observe wild populations from a safe distance.
Classified as Endangered due to severe historic exploitation for the fur trade and ongoing habitat loss from mining.
Never attempt to capture or disturb wild colonies; report any sightings to local conservation authorities.- 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.