Chinchillas

• comprehensive and helpful information
• handy to have for referencing and furthering your knowledge of your pet
• Add to your librarby to increase your families knowledge of your pets

Product Description Chinchillas, affectionately known as "chins", are growing rapidly in popularity as pets, thanks to their cuddly appearance and friendly natures. Their small size, cleanliness and ease of care make them ideal companions for people of all ages. Delightful to watch as they play, these very social creatures are often easy to tame and will bond closely to their owners. Chinchillas covers everything you need to know to keep your new pet happy and healthy, including expert advice on housing, nutrition, grooming, and health care. These gentle yet energetic pets will thrive with good care, daily exercise, and lots of love. Each book in this series contains original, lively text, complete with informative tips and colourful photos illustrating all aspects of pet care. Expertly written these user-friendly guides are bound to delight the entire family. Review Chinchillas are becoming increasingly popular as pets their large ears, bushy tails and handsome, silky fur sets them apart from most rodents. This book is an excellent read for those thinking about buying or rescuing a chinchilla. it gives handy 'family friendly' tips throughout the book, and also has sections entitled 'The Expert Knows' which give professional advice on all aspects of chinchilla care. There is a resource section at the end of the book, with useful websites, magazines, books and phone numbers, as well as a glossary that explains some of the more scientific terms associated with raising your pet. This handbook is a brilliant addition to any animal-lovers library! --Pet Focus About the Author David Alderton is an international best-selling authority on pets and their care. His books have sold over six million copies in 27 languages worldwide. He has also been published widely in a variety of magazines and broadcasts regularly about animals and natural history on both television and radio. David's interest in chinchillas began over 25 years ago, when he first saw a pair of them in his local pet shop. He has since gained considerable insight into their behaviour and needs. His resulting expertise has also led to his involvement in training programmes designed for pet shop personnel about the proper care of chinchillas and other small pets. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Understanding the physiology and behaviour of wild chinchillas can be helpful when interacting with your pet because domestic chinchillas still retain many of their instinctual traits and physical attributes. Chinchillas belong to a group of rodents known as the caviomorphs. They are therefore related to guinea pigs and share a number of their characteristics. One of the most significant things that sets caviomorphs apart from the largest group of rodents called the myomorphs (which includes rats and mice) is a difference in their breeding habits. Caviomorphs have small litters born after a long gestation period, which lasts about four months in chinchillas. The young look just like smaller versions of their parents at birth. They have their eyes open and are able to move around immediately. By comparison, myomorphs breed much more rapidly, and their offspring are naked and helpless at birth. Caviomorphs also tend to attain a larger size, with the world's largest living rodent, the capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris), being a member of this group.