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

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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 from a shelter or rescue.
To learn more about proper chinchilla care, visit
front page: redrover. this page: alkir/bigstock. Did you know that RedRover offers training for KINDNEWS.ORG
AnimalHumaneSociety.org and search “chinchilla.”

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