Native to South America, chinchillas are small mammals known for their luxurious, soft fur and boisterous, playful personalities. They are quiet creatures and very low maintenance pets. However, there's a lot you need to know to keep this long-lived rodent happy and healthy.This updated edition of the Chinchilla Handbook provides a wealth of information on:History, including ancestral origins and human interactionsGuidance on choosing the right chinchilla for you and your familyCreating a safe and natural housing environmentDietary needs, including good and bad vegetables, amounts, and the importance of hayUnderstanding behavior and social cuesKeeping your chinchilla healthy – potential concerns and common preventionsPlanning for and raising kits when births are expectedMore!The Chinchilla Handbook and other books in The Pet Handbook series have a large page count and are written, designed, and illustrated with more extensive and detailed coverage of each title's subject pet.