JBG CHINCHILLA RANCH - BREEDER OF QUALITY PET CHINCHILLAS

Eleven chinchillas native of the high Andes Mountains in South America were brought to North America in
the 1930's. All chinchillas presently in North America today are descended from these eleven chinchillas. They
were originally imported for the fur industry. It was not till the 1960's that people in the pet industry began
to realize the chinchillas intelligence level and their value as a pet. This rodent species typically weighs
between 1 and 2 pounds and resembles a cross between a squirrel and a rabbit. It has large eyes and ears,
long whiskers and a round, chubby like body. It has a long bushy tail, large hind feet witch help it hop much
like a kangaroo, and smaller front legs. Chinchillas are breed in a variety of colors known as color mutations,
the standard gray chinchilla with the steely gray blue color is the one you would find in the wild.

Life span:
Chinchillas live a long time on average they could live between 5 & 15 years if in good health and it has
recieved proper care.

Size:
Chinchillas grow to be about 9"-10" at the body and have the tail that is about 6" long. The average weight
for an adult chinchilla is 1-2 pounds. And smaller chinchillas weigh about two-thirds of a pound: very large
ones can weigh as much as 31/2 pounds. There are some significant size or weight differences between males
and females.

Traits & Behavior

Nocturnal:
Chinchillas like to run and play at night and do most of the resting they need during the daytime hours. Most
chinchillas won't mind being handled during this time. They will often enjoy being held day or night.

Social:
Most chinchillas enjoy having a cage mate. They like snuggling together, grooming each other, playing and
having a full-time companion. If you wish not to breed your chinchillas get a same-sex pair. Having two
females paired up is most compatible in the long term. Placing two males together can creat aggrressive
behavior as they mature in age. If males fight, permanently separate them before sever injury or death
occurs.

Cleanliness & Dusting:
Chinchillas are instinctivly clean animales and practically oderless, they need to dust in special ground lava
rock dust such as Blue Cloud bath. Dusting removes excess dirt and oils, dead fur and prevents matting, it
also helps to relax them. The higher the humidity the more often you need to dust your chinchilla per week.

Things to Remember

Handling & Lifting:
To get acquainted with your chinchilla always open it's cage door slowly as not to scare and spook it. Next
place your hand in it's cage, chinchillas are naturally curious. So in little time it will come and smell you and
try to taste your hand with gentle little nibles. Just continue being still until you feel it is safe to pick it up or
better yet it goes onto your hand by it's self. At this point you maybe able to remove it from the cage with
both hands scooping it toward your body so that it feels safe and secure. The more yoou handle your
chinchilla the easier all this will get, and soon you will see that both you and your chinchilla will build a
strong bond together. " Remember never grab a chinchilla by the fur on it's body or by the hair on it's tail
(the hair and fur will pull out and leave bald spots)." If you accedientlly give your chinchila a bald spot you
don't need to worry it will all grow back.

Nibbling & Chewing:
Chinchillas love to nibble, they must always have a pine block in it's cage to nibble and chew on. This keeps
it's teeth trimmed down and healthy. Chinchillas take harmless nibbles at times to become familiar with their
enviroment there whiskers are used in the same way.

Temperture & Humidity:
Chinchillas overheat very easily they should be kept in a cool environment at all times. Keep chinchillas in a
place in your home that is cool and has good air ciculation at all time, temperature below 80 F, and free from
sudden changes below 50 F, is important. Using one of our cold stones is very helpful in lowering your
chinchillas body temerture during those hot summer days. Depending on the humidity "moisture in the air"
your chinchilla needs a dust bath a few more times, then the 2-3 time per week.

Housing:
Chinchillas should be housed in clean chinchilla safe cage with a wire bottom or solid tray bottom with
shavings. Use only pine shaving or other chinchilla safe bedding. (cedar and redwoods are poisonous to
chinchillas and should not be used.) Shavings should be kiln-dried white pine or white aspen to reduce fur
staining and should be changed weekly.

Nutrition & Diet

Feed and Hay:
Choose a fortified chinchilla pellet feed for your chinchilla. This feed should be supplemented with should be
supplemented with loose hay such as: Alfalfa, Bermuda hay, Timothy grasses or compressed hay cubes that
have NOT been sprayed withinsecticides. Warrning: DO NOT FEED cabbage, corn, and lettece, or other
vegetables that may produce gas. These vegetables produce gas and ultimatlely death. You may contact us if
you have any questions about what vegetable are safe for your chicnhilla.

Treats:
Chinchillas love treats but please remember to feed these in moderation. Here are a few that they will love
Chin Oats, Bananna Chips & Raisins, Unroasted Raw Almonds in shell, Unroasted Sunflower Seeds. Always
remember all nuts must be unsalted & unroasted. All of our treats come with written portion size amount
instuctions on the back of label. WARNING: To many treats will cause soft dropping, sever illness or even
death in your chinchilla.

Water:
Make sure your chinchilla has clean water at all times. Wash water bottles at least 3 times per week with dish
soap and water or you can sterilize it in your dish washer at least once per week.

Health

Signs of a healthy chinchilla are:
- Clean clear, bright eyes
- Soft, clean fur with no patches or bald spots
- Curious and active behavior
- Eats and drinks normally with no weight loss
- Well formed droppings with no diarrhea

Things to watch for:
* Diarrhea or discolored droppings
* Bare patches of fur or bald spots
* Weight loss, will not eat or drink normally
* Overgrown front teeth
* Lethargic behavior with little or no energy
* Sneezing, or discharge from eyes, nose or mouth

* Please note: If you notice any of the signs listed here in this list please consult your local Veterinarian as
soon as possible.