When you buy a chinchilla, you should expect to spend about 65 to 100 dollars for the animal and its cage. This is because chinchillas are an exotic pet that requires a lot of space and care. If you plan on purchasing them as a gift or for yourself, be sure to start looking around at pet stores near your home or online. You don't want to purchase an animal that is too expensive or one that cannot survive in the owner's current living space.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eChinchillas live in groups of 6 to 8 individuals, and they enjoy climbing and jumping, making them a good fit for the home. They have soft fur, which is typically brown, ranging from a light brown to a dark brown. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThey have pointed chins with hair growing out of their chin area. Their coloring does not fade as it does for other animals with furs, such as cats and dogs. Chinchillas like being clean, and they will groom themselves regularly. Their skin has a thin layer of fat on it, which keeps it moist and prevents chinchillas from freezing in the winter.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eChinchillas are live-bearers, which means they will typically only have one litter per year. They produce 6 to 10 kits that can weigh between 1 and 3 ounces each. Most chinchillas have a single litter every year, and they can have 3 to 7 kits. Their gestation period is 45 days on average, but they can be anywhere from 37 to 52 days. When a chinchilla is born, it is blind and has no fur. Once the kits are born, the mother will usually carry them on her chest for 9 to 12 weeks. During this time, the mother will nurse her babies until they are 6 weeks old. She will protect them from predators, too. After the babies are 6 weeks old, the mother will let them run free. She will begin weaning her babies at around 8 weeks.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eChinchillas are intelligent animals. They can learn tricks and make you laugh with their antics. They love to play and enjoy chewing on different things including paper products and other inanimate objects. Chinchillas also like to play with toys such as ropes and balls (which should be made out of cloth). They have a very strong sense of balance, and they can be trained to do tricks. Keep in mind that chinchillas are not good pets for young children because of their high risk for injury. Instead, consider getting a young child a rabbit. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eSensitive chinchillas may bite out of fear or stress when they are not handled correctly or when they're left alone without human interaction.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eChinchillas have long fingernails and toenails, which they keep sharp by chewing on them. When they are first born, they have little hair, and their eyes are closed. They will nurse their mother until they are around 6 weeks old. After that, she will wean them off of her milk by giving them a substance to make them stop producing so much milk. Once they are 8 weeks old, they will start going out to explore and play with their siblings. They like eating vegetables such as carrots and lettuce occasionally. Chinchillas can eat hay or dried fruits and vegetables for treats.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eChinchillas are very creative and intelligent animals that can be trained. They are great pets for a child who loves to interact with animals.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eFrom an adult viewpoint, however, chinchillas may not be the best pet choice. You will have to dedicate a lot of time to your pet as it is basically u0022one and doneu0022 as far as multi-pet homes go. Chinchillas are often expensive (some costing as much as $5000) and require a lot of attention, grooming, space, and upkeep. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eChinchillas may bite if they are left alone in a cage for more than a few hours each day or are handled incorrectly as they do not like being held unless they are used to it. They must be kept in a cage made specifically for them that includes lots of nooks and crannies for them to climb on and keep their fat warm.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eChinchillas are very playful, and they should be given toys to play with for entertainment. The amount of time required for the owner to properly care for a chinchilla depends on how much the chinchilla is allowed out of its cage. A chinchilla's life span is 8 to 10 years on average. Chinchillas are very active in their cages, and it helps the owner to interact with them daily (at least) by offering treats or playing with them in a small, safe area outside of their cages.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eChinchillas have been domesticated for a long time. They can be found in the wild and are native to the Andes Mountains in South America. The price of a chinchilla can range from expensive to very expensive, which means you should do your research before buying one.