Black Velvet
Chinchilla · 0 live listings
Black velvet, or touch of velvet, is a dominant chinchilla mutation with a dark head and back, black bars on the paws and a white belly. Care is the same as a standard, but two velvets should never be bred together because of a lethal factor.
At a glance
The tradeoffs, honestly
A long-lived, heat-sensitive pet like any chinchilla. The velvet gene limits breeding choices, and pairing two velvets risks lost kits.
Common questions
Why not breed two velvets?
The velvet gene is thought to carry a lethal factor when doubled, so velvet x velvet pairings can lose kits. Breeders pair velvets with non-velvets. It does not affect a pet.
What health checks should I ask for?
Ask for a vet exam that covers the teeth and jaw, since malocclusion is often inherited, and whether any relatives had tooth problems. A litter record or MCBA pedigree, vet-confirmed sex and a steady weight record are worth asking for too.
How warm is too warm?
Chinchillas have very dense fur and cannot shed heat. Keep the room cool, ideally below 75°F, and treat anything near 80°F as dangerous. Plan air conditioning for summer before you bring one home.
Ask the seller for these. Documents on Everybarn are on file for your own checks; we don't check them with the issuer.
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