Chinchilla Myths

[Cuddlebug]

I am currently working on a page for my website about chinchilla myths. I was hoping that you guys could help me by listing the myths that you have heard. Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Pikaia]

1. Chinchillas can't get wet or they will die.

2. This was way back in history when Mr. Chapman brought the 11 chinchillas over here. There was a myth that they didn't drink water.

3. Chinchillas are mean and like to bite- I don't know if this is really a myth, but tons of people I talk to about chins think this. I have no idea why.

I'll try to think of more...

 

[Godofgods]

raisins are good for them

(I mistyped that as rasians and spell checkers first suggestion was russians...lol)

 

[Newt]

The myth that seeds are an essential part of their diet....

 

[kickster]

The 150 rule. The temperature and the humidity together have to equal 150.

 

[akane]

I always wondered who came up with the 150 rule since it would have to be darn hot or darn humid to get to 150. 80F and 70% humidity?, 90 and 60... I think I'd die of heat stroke too.

(I mistyped that as rasians and spell checkers first suggestion was russians...lol)

Whenever I type chin my phone suggests cadbury.

I was told chins cannot get wet because their coats are too dense to dry and will rot.

 

[Cuddlebug]

Thanks everyone! Keep 'em coming.

 

[kickster]

I know one time I was checking out the PetStore sales online and in the description of their live animal, a chinchilla also needs plentiful fruits and veggies

 

[Pikaia]

Oh! How about chins can't get fleas? They can't get fleas in their coats (because of how dense they are), but they can get them on their face.

 

[ashleynicol3]

That they're good pets for people with allergies because they're hypo-allergenic. People forget about the dust and hay!

 

[Devi Xiao]

2 males in the same cage will fight to the death no matter what and that's why you need to get a male-female pair.

 

[akane]

People forget about the dust and hay!

Well I don't think you can actually be allergic to the dust. It's inorganic. However having gotten it in my eyes and nose your body does react the same as an allergic reaction because of the irritation. I can see why those that keep a lot of chins sometimes have to give them up from increasing respiratory problems.

I am allergic to chin pee. Smelling it causes my eyes to water and pressure in my sinuses so you can even be allergic to a chin itself.

 

[turtlemoon]

um, i'm not sure if this is a myth or not, but i have read somewhere that "chins shouldn't be fed after midnight because they will get fat"

ours are active at night and that's usually when they eat (sometimes they eat during the day in between naps.)

 

[Newt]

Don't get them wet, don't feed 'em after midnight???

Sounds like some myths have come from the movie Gremlins

Do we have chins, or do we have Mogwhai? :rofl:

 

[kickster]

Don't get them wet, don't feed 'em after midnight???

Sounds like some myths have come from the movie Gremlins

Do we have chins, or do we have Mogwhai? :rofl:

Hey, they act like em, therefore we have Mogwhai

 

[DanceswithElvis]

Hey, they act like em, therefore we have Mogwhai

Oh crap...I have Spike. O.O