Page 2 - Kind News, Jr. May/June 2021, Parent Guide
P. 2

ANSWER KEY





         Critter Clues FROM PAGE 7
          Our mystery critter is the chinchilla. Chinchillas are rodents who are native to the Andes Mountains
          of northern Chile. In the wild, they are social animals and live in herds of up to 100. They live in cracks
          and crevices to hide from predators.
            Chinchillas are known for their soft, dense fur. In the 1900s,
          chinchillas were hunted for their fur until they were nearly extinct.
          Today, chinchillas are endangered. Although there
          are laws in place to protect them, they are still
          sometimes victims of poaching. Mining also
          encroaches on their habitat.
            With their unique fur, large eyes and ears, and
          bushy tails, chinchillas are popular pets. However,
          they need special care to make sure they are happy
          and healthy. They need a diet of pellets, timothy
          hay (which helps keep their teeth from growing
          too long), and leafy greens, with occasional treats
          like raisins, sunflower seeds, or dried apples.
          They also need a multi-level enclosure with many
          places to hide, as well as a place to take a dust
          bath with “chinchilla dust.” Temperature control
          is important for chinchillas, since they can overheat
          in temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
            How can you help chinchillas? Before getting a
          pet chinchilla, do your research. Adopt your chinchilla
     front page: redrover. this page: alkir/bigstock.  Did you know that RedRover offers training for
          from a shelter or rescue. To learn more about proper
          chinchilla care, visit AnimalHumaneSociety.org and
          search “chinchilla.”




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