Page 3 - Kind News, Jr. May/June 2021, Teacher Guide

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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 from a
shelter or rescue. To learn more about proper chinchilla care,
opposite page: dhanush satyan/unsplash; raja: bryan huff. this page: alkir/bigstock.
visit AnimalHumaneSociety.org and search "chinchilla."

BOOK NOOK
“Bug” Books: Check out these insect books that spark
discussion and perspective-taking.

Bugs A to Z Scary, Scary National Geographic The Thing About
Written by Sasha Little Kids First Big Bees: A Love Letter
Caroline Lawton Written by Book of Bugs Written by
Recommended Starr T. Balmer Written by Shabazz Larkin
for ages 5-7 Recommended Catherine D. Hughes Recommended
for ages 4 to 7 Recommended for ages 3-7
for ages 4 to 8