blind?

[geraldinemoo]

are chinchillas like rodents who are very blind?

should i keep the lights on at night since that when they're the most active?
i sleep in the same room as my chin, so sometimes i keep the lights on for them but most of the time i off the lights when i sleep...

should i keep the lights on for them? or they're just like rats and other rodents who are very blind and it doesnt really matter...

also...when photographing my chins...is it ok to use flash?
i know its fine to use flash for rodents...because they're so blind...they cant see the binding flash from the camera...

 

[Laurie]

they can see in the dark, they are not blind. You don't have to leave a light on for them, many of them use their wheel like mad the instant the lights are out. Also using a flash while snapping pics of them is just fine.

 

[tunes]

Rodents aren't blind. My rats see just fine in the light and the dark, as do my hammies. PEW rats have a harder time seeing than a brown eyed rat, sometimes only seeing light, dark, and outlines, but you would never know it.

If you have ever had a chin escape and run across your face during the night, you would know they can see just fine. Oye.

 

[AZChins]

They're giant eyes are just made for seeing in low light. I leave a few nightlights on at night for my benefit. If I am summoned in the middle of the night, I want to be able to see around their rooms so that I don't break a toe or bruise myself up!

They see great in very low light. Yes, I have had chins run across my face at night or just end up on the bed because they need me to make their excursion complete at 3 am.

 

[geraldinemoo]

cool! hahaha...so its better to off the lights since they see better in low light...haha...
thanks!!!!