Hi!

I hail from high in the Andes Mountains in South America. I love it where it is a bit chilly. I have a thick fur coat that keeps me warm. My body is only about as big around as a half dollar. I can get sick very easily and can overheat quickly if I get too hot. I am unable to sweat, so I have big ears which I use to release heat from my body. When I take a bath I use a special powder or dust. I roll in it getting the oils out of my fur. I am nocturnal. I sleep during the day and am awake at night. I have big eyes that help me see and whiskers that help me feel in the dark. I first came to America it was to make fur coats. Unfortunately many chinchillas are killed each year for fur coats, but many of us are adopted into good homes as pets.