| A Special Thanks to Amanda & Darren of Fuzzy Chins for the use of the picture of the family of chins! |
| Male OR Female What's the Difference? |
You are trying to decide whether to get a male or a female chinchilla, so now,
you are wanting to know the 'difference' in the male and female chinchilla. Each
chinchilla, regardless of sex or color, has it's own personality. Other than the
obvious reproductive differences ... the main difference is the way they will
defend themselves. Biting is usually their last line of self-defense, for both
sexes. All chinchillas will bite, but usually they have a reason for doing it ...
something has upset or frightened them, or they are already hurt.
Usually, most chins will give you several 'warnings' before they bite ... they
normally follow the following steps:
(1) Both male and female will try to run away/get away from you.
(2) Both male and female will stand and 'fuss' at you.
(3) Both male and female will push your hand away from them with their
paws.
(4) The female only (not all, but some females) will, at this point spray you
with urine. This 'tactic' is her way of defending her kits and herself from
predators and other dangers or the fear of a danger. She is usually very
accurate for 6 to 8 feet away. As a 'last resort' she will also use this to
separate two fighting kits and she will uses this to let her mate know she is
not ready to mate yet. The males do not normally use this form of
self-defense. (I have never seen it myself, but I have heard of it once or
twice from other chin owners.)
(5) Both, male and female, at this point will often, but not always, give you a
firm nip to let you know they mean business ... note I said not always ... some
chins feel they have already warned you enough at this point. *But, do not
mistake a loving gentle nip of affection for the firm warning nip ... the
situation will usually let you know which is which.
(6) At this point, both male and female, if you have ignored all the previous
warnings ... will most likely, give you a very painful bite, usually bringing the
blood. These occasions are rare.
*** Do not hit, scream, yell or fuss at your chin ... they warned you! You are
at fault for not heading it's warnings. It is up to you to figure out what you
were doing that frightened or hurt them and not do it again!
We have had 130+ chins at any given time and for many years ... I have only
been bitten 3 times ... and I knew each time before it happened, I would be
bitten.
(1) Once a chin was trapped (wedged) under the central air unit and I had to
get it out. He was frightened, hurt and did not understand I was trying to
help him, he only knew it hurt, so he bit.
(2) I removed a dead kit from it's mom ... usually they will let you have them
without a fuss, but this mom did not want to give up her kit ... even after it
had died ... so she bit me. She also sprayed me every chance she got for
the next 3 days ... she wanted her baby back!
(3) The third time was when I broke up two chins that were fighting and one
accidentally bit me. (After this, I kept a pair of thick leather gloves handy.)
A chinchilla's age, sex and color does not affect it's personality ... they each
have their own personality. Sometimes, as with humans, personalities can
conflict. All chinchillas take time, patients and love ... some more than
others ... but each and every one is worth it!
you are wanting to know the 'difference' in the male and female chinchilla. Each
chinchilla, regardless of sex or color, has it's own personality. Other than the
obvious reproductive differences ... the main difference is the way they will
defend themselves. Biting is usually their last line of self-defense, for both
sexes. All chinchillas will bite, but usually they have a reason for doing it ...
something has upset or frightened them, or they are already hurt.
Usually, most chins will give you several 'warnings' before they bite ... they
normally follow the following steps:
(1) Both male and female will try to run away/get away from you.
(2) Both male and female will stand and 'fuss' at you.
(3) Both male and female will push your hand away from them with their
paws.
(4) The female only (not all, but some females) will, at this point spray you
with urine. This 'tactic' is her way of defending her kits and herself from
predators and other dangers or the fear of a danger. She is usually very
accurate for 6 to 8 feet away. As a 'last resort' she will also use this to
separate two fighting kits and she will uses this to let her mate know she is
not ready to mate yet. The males do not normally use this form of
self-defense. (I have never seen it myself, but I have heard of it once or
twice from other chin owners.)
(5) Both, male and female, at this point will often, but not always, give you a
firm nip to let you know they mean business ... note I said not always ... some
chins feel they have already warned you enough at this point. *But, do not
mistake a loving gentle nip of affection for the firm warning nip ... the
situation will usually let you know which is which.
(6) At this point, both male and female, if you have ignored all the previous
warnings ... will most likely, give you a very painful bite, usually bringing the
blood. These occasions are rare.
*** Do not hit, scream, yell or fuss at your chin ... they warned you! You are
at fault for not heading it's warnings. It is up to you to figure out what you
were doing that frightened or hurt them and not do it again!
We have had 130+ chins at any given time and for many years ... I have only
been bitten 3 times ... and I knew each time before it happened, I would be
bitten.
(1) Once a chin was trapped (wedged) under the central air unit and I had to
get it out. He was frightened, hurt and did not understand I was trying to
help him, he only knew it hurt, so he bit.
(2) I removed a dead kit from it's mom ... usually they will let you have them
without a fuss, but this mom did not want to give up her kit ... even after it
had died ... so she bit me. She also sprayed me every chance she got for
the next 3 days ... she wanted her baby back!
(3) The third time was when I broke up two chins that were fighting and one
accidentally bit me. (After this, I kept a pair of thick leather gloves handy.)
A chinchilla's age, sex and color does not affect it's personality ... they each
have their own personality. Sometimes, as with humans, personalities can
conflict. All chinchillas take time, patients and love ... some more than
others ... but each and every one is worth it!
| How Will I Know When My Chin Is Sick? |
You may think this is a 'dumb' question, but no, it is a VERY important one!
Many times you do not know until it is to late to save your little one. In the
wild, a chinchilla that showed any signs of weakness, injury or illness, quickly
became easy prey for predators. To protect themselves, they would
instinctively 'hide' any obvious signs of illness or injury. Unfortunately, they
have retained this instinct, even today.
Have a qualified exotic pet vet before you get your chin! Take your chin in
when it is well, so your vet will have something to compare it to if you have
to take it in for an illness.
Pay close attention to your chin's habits. Their changes in habits may be the
first signs of illness! Make it a habit to have a routine you follow daily ...
even a minor change in the routine can cause your chin to stress-out.
Please heed the following 'early warning' signs:
(1) Give them a fresh clean bottle of water about the same time each day ...
note the amount they drank. Did the amount of water consumed equal 25%
less than normal? This can be one of the early signs of illness.
(2) Give them fresh food once or twice a day ... depending on your normal
routine. Are they eating 25% less than normal? This can be one of the early
signs of illness.
(3) Do their ears feel warm or are the veins showing in their ears? If so,
they have a fever ... another warning sign.
(4) Are the eyes bright and shiny? If they are dull, watery or have a white
mucous in them ... they are sick.
(5) Are they setting off in a corner, not being active? Something is wrong.
They could be ill. Or, if caged with another chin, being bullied by the other
chin, if so, separate them before a fight/injury occurs and keep an eye on
them.
(6) Do they run to the door for attention as usual? If not, this can be an
early sign of illness.
(7) Are the ears and/or eyes droopy? Could very well be a sign of illness.
(8) Are they more irritable and fussy than usual? This, also, can be a sign
of a less obvious illness ... one that is not visually apparent yet, but makes
them feel bad inside to the point they do not want to be bothered with you
or their cage mate.
(9) Are the feces (poops) abnormal? Soft or runny? Finding them mashed
on top of their huts or shelves? (Burnt toast will usually stop this within 24
hours if it is just stress.) Are they small and hard? (Sour kraut juice is a
natural laxative for chins.) Fewer in number than normal? (They could be
becoming 'blocked-up'/impacted in their intestines and getting dehydrated ...
get them to a vet A.S.A.P.!) The 'poop problems' are all signs of illness,
some more intensive than others ... it usually depends on the duration of the
problem ... if you can not 'fix' it in the first 24 hours, a vet is needed.
(10) Do they refuse a treat they usually love? They are sick!
Basically, know your chin! Any thing out of the norm, that is not up-beat
and happy, can be a sign of illness. Chinchillas are normally very healthy, if
properly cared for, but they will, on rare occasions, get sick.
Many times you do not know until it is to late to save your little one. In the
wild, a chinchilla that showed any signs of weakness, injury or illness, quickly
became easy prey for predators. To protect themselves, they would
instinctively 'hide' any obvious signs of illness or injury. Unfortunately, they
have retained this instinct, even today.
Have a qualified exotic pet vet before you get your chin! Take your chin in
when it is well, so your vet will have something to compare it to if you have
to take it in for an illness.
Pay close attention to your chin's habits. Their changes in habits may be the
first signs of illness! Make it a habit to have a routine you follow daily ...
even a minor change in the routine can cause your chin to stress-out.
Please heed the following 'early warning' signs:
(1) Give them a fresh clean bottle of water about the same time each day ...
note the amount they drank. Did the amount of water consumed equal 25%
less than normal? This can be one of the early signs of illness.
(2) Give them fresh food once or twice a day ... depending on your normal
routine. Are they eating 25% less than normal? This can be one of the early
signs of illness.
(3) Do their ears feel warm or are the veins showing in their ears? If so,
they have a fever ... another warning sign.
(4) Are the eyes bright and shiny? If they are dull, watery or have a white
mucous in them ... they are sick.
(5) Are they setting off in a corner, not being active? Something is wrong.
They could be ill. Or, if caged with another chin, being bullied by the other
chin, if so, separate them before a fight/injury occurs and keep an eye on
them.
(6) Do they run to the door for attention as usual? If not, this can be an
early sign of illness.
(7) Are the ears and/or eyes droopy? Could very well be a sign of illness.
(8) Are they more irritable and fussy than usual? This, also, can be a sign
of a less obvious illness ... one that is not visually apparent yet, but makes
them feel bad inside to the point they do not want to be bothered with you
or their cage mate.
(9) Are the feces (poops) abnormal? Soft or runny? Finding them mashed
on top of their huts or shelves? (Burnt toast will usually stop this within 24
hours if it is just stress.) Are they small and hard? (Sour kraut juice is a
natural laxative for chins.) Fewer in number than normal? (They could be
becoming 'blocked-up'/impacted in their intestines and getting dehydrated ...
get them to a vet A.S.A.P.!) The 'poop problems' are all signs of illness,
some more intensive than others ... it usually depends on the duration of the
problem ... if you can not 'fix' it in the first 24 hours, a vet is needed.
(10) Do they refuse a treat they usually love? They are sick!
Basically, know your chin! Any thing out of the norm, that is not up-beat
and happy, can be a sign of illness. Chinchillas are normally very healthy, if
properly cared for, but they will, on rare occasions, get sick.
Get them to a qualified vet IMMEDIATELY!!! Not tomorrow or later in
the week ... NOW! By the time you realize your chin is sick, it is usually
already very sick! When a chin is sick, treatment can not wait or be put-off.
As my vet said, " I thought Guinea pigs went down fast ... they have nothing
over chinchillas. Chinchillas 'go-down' faster than any animal I know."
('Go-down' is just another term for getting sicker faster or dying.)
When you get your chin to the vet, be prepared to answer most or all of the
questions under "How Will I Know When My Chin is Sick". If you take your
chin in and say "It's just not acting right/normal." How is your vet to know
what is 'normal' or 'not right' for your chin? Only you know that. Your
chin can not speak for itself ... you must be able to do so!
Show your chin you love it as much as it loves you! Know your chin and
it's normal habits so you can help the vet get him/her well as quickly as
possible!
the week ... NOW! By the time you realize your chin is sick, it is usually
already very sick! When a chin is sick, treatment can not wait or be put-off.
As my vet said, " I thought Guinea pigs went down fast ... they have nothing
over chinchillas. Chinchillas 'go-down' faster than any animal I know."
('Go-down' is just another term for getting sicker faster or dying.)
When you get your chin to the vet, be prepared to answer most or all of the
questions under "How Will I Know When My Chin is Sick". If you take your
chin in and say "It's just not acting right/normal." How is your vet to know
what is 'normal' or 'not right' for your chin? Only you know that. Your
chin can not speak for itself ... you must be able to do so!
Show your chin you love it as much as it loves you! Know your chin and
it's normal habits so you can help the vet get him/her well as quickly as
possible!
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