Buyer question
How long does a chinchilla live?
Our Animal Library gives the Chinchilla a lifespan of 10–20 years.
Source: the Standard Gray chinchilla page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Chinchilla in the Animal Library
The detail
Standard gray is the natural chinchilla color, blue-gray on top with a white belly, and the base of every mutation. It is also the hardiest line, but every chinchilla lives 10 to 20 years, overheats easily and needs dust baths.
- Origin
- Andes of northern Chile
- Best fit
- Long-term, cool-home owners
- Care load
- 3 out of 5 (Dust baths, cool room)
What to weigh
A commitment of up to twenty years to an animal that overheats easily, dislikes being held and needs chew-proof space. Teeth grow for life and can fail.