The Chinchilla Rat, scientifically known as Abrocoma cinerea, is a rodent species native to the Altiplano region of the Andes Mountains in South America. These creatures inhabit altitudes ranging from 3,700 to 5,000 meters.
The name “Chinchilla Rat” reflects two characteristics: this animal resembles a rat in shape and has fur similar to that of the Chinchilla squirrel. It is precisely this fur that has made them victims of poachers and deceitful merchants, as buyers often confuse the fur of the Chinchilla Rat with that of the Chinchilla squirrel. While the fur of the Chinchilla squirrel is highly valuable, the fur of the Chinchilla Rat holds no significant worth.
Chinchilla Rats have a body length of 15-22 cm, a tail length of 6-18 cm, and weigh between 200-300 grams. They have large ears, big eyes, elongated heads, and short limbs; their molars continue to grow throughout their lives. Each front paw has four toes, while each back paw has five toes; their feet are naked, with small and weak claws. Their fur is both thick and soft, with a silver-gray color on the back and white or yellow underneath.
The three middle toes on their hind feet have stiff hairs protruding, forming a comb-like structure. Chinchilla Rats are quite intelligent; they use this comb to groom parasites and keep their fur free from dirt.
Chinchilla Rats are herbivorous and nocturnal. Although they primarily live on the ground and in burrows, they are also capable climbers, especially when foraging for food. Their diet consists of seeds, berries, and fruits.
Scientists have yet to uncover much about the reproductive process of this species, but it is known that the gestation period for female Chinchilla Rats is between 115-118 days, and each litter typically consists of 1-2 offspring.
These rodents are very social and tend to live in small groups of about six members, communicating with each other through a variety of sounds. Chinchilla Rats are willing to share their burrows with one another and even accommodate other gentle rodent species, such as the degu.
Their burrows are typically located at the base of rocks or shrubs, and they also inhabit crevices where they give birth and raise their young.
Currently, Chinchilla Rats are becoming increasingly rare due to hunting for fur that is falsely advertised as Chinchilla squirrel fur. In a human-managed environment, the average lifespan of a Chinchilla Rat is about two years.
