More info: Chinchillas are rodents that are native to the Andes Mountains of northern Chile. Chinchillas are related to guinea pigs and porcupines. They have short forelimbs and long, muscular hind legs and resemble rabbits though their ears are much shorter and rounder. They have large, black eyes, bushy tails and feet with four toes.

Chinchillas are covered in thick fur which enables them to survive in the Andes where they can live in elevations of about 3,000 to 5,000 meters (9,800 to 16,400 feet). At those heights, it can be very cold but chinchillas are able to tolerate freezing temperatures. They cannot however survive in temperatures higher than 80 F (27 C); which can cause these rodents to suffer from heat stroke.