Perhaps the most distinctive characteristic is the chinchillas soft silky fur which keeps out the bitter cold of its mountain habitat.

Unfortunately it is so soft and pleasant to human touch chinchillas long been desirable and prized by the fashion industry which has led this species to become endangered in the wild.

Although now farms have been introduced and they are not hunted in the wild so frequently.

In the wild chinchillas are found in colonies sometimes 100 strong sheltering in caves and crevices.