Chinchilla lanigera

(Molina, 1782)

Vernacular names
English : Long-tailed chinchilla
French : Chinchilla à longue queue

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Rodentia
Family : Chinchillidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a body length of 26 cm for a weight of 490 g. Fairly large head with rounded ears. Tail very bushy and long. Extremely soft and silky fur, dark gray in coloration with black areas on tail and white belly.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in South America, mostly in Chile from Andes foothills and coastal mountains to Talca. Range may extend to Salta province, Argentina. Lives in arid areas with sandy or rocky soil and sparse vegetal cover, 400 to 1650 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : This species has gone through catastrophic decline in recent time, mostly because of overexploitation for fur and pet trade, habitat loss and predation.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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