Chinchilla

The chinchilla is a crepuscular rodent native to the high Andes mountains of South America, living at elevations of 3,000–5,000 m. Two species exist—the long-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) and the short-tailed chinchilla (C. chinchilla)—with the former being the species kept as pets. Adults weigh 400–800 g and measure 25–35 cm. Their extraordinarily dense fur, with 60–80 hairs growing from each follicle, gives them their famously silky texture. Chinchillas are highly sensitive to heat and humidity; temperatures must be kept below 22 °C to prevent fatal heatstroke. Daily dust baths using fine volcanic sand are essential for coat maintenance; water bathing must be strictly avoided. They are long-lived for small mammals, with lifespans of 10–15 years. Common health issues include heat stroke, dental malocclusion, and fur-ring problems in males.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Timothy hay (staple), chinchilla pellets