Multiple Personality Disorder...?

laurc19 · Jul 20, 2009

Okay so I have a question. It's not really a huge deal but I'm just curious if you guys have any idea what is going on in my chin's head.

I've had Charlie for 2 years and he's always been a mama's boy. During playtime he will come right up to me and sit on me. If I take him out of his cage at night he will give me kisses, etc.

However, during the day (when he is sleeping) sometimes I walk by their cage (he has a brother) and he will kind of wake up and look at me. So I will go over and talk to him through the cage. The second I get close to the cage or attempt to put a hand in the cage or even a finger through the bar, he snaps at me. He spits and tries to bite my finger. He always scratches at the ground. It's like he hates me.

I'm kind of thinking it's just because it's day time and he's sleeping and grumpy that I disturbed him. But still it's seems like quite an extreme change in personality.

Any ideas? Thanks!

laurc19 · Jul 20, 2009

No ideas??

starleomach · Jul 20, 2009

chinchillas can be territorial. I have several that act real tough in the cage when the door is shut..totally different outside the cage or with the door open

Brittney · Jul 20, 2009

Could be a territory thing, or he could just be grumpy that you woke him up. Since you said he is a sweetie at night, that could probably be the case. Just don't bug him during the day and I think he will be fine.

My Bryson isn't mean during the day, but if I wake him up he gives annoyed grunts basically telling me "Go away mom, I don't bother you when you sleep!" Which is a total lie, he talks to me when I'm trying to sleep and wakes me up before my alarm goes off

Just remember, they are nocturnal, but come night time, they are ready to play.

AZChins · Jul 20, 2009

Some of them just seem to be really grumpy if I want them up after they have gone to sleep for the day. Another thing, sometimes they don't like being poked at when they are asleep, they'll bite out of the surprise of it all.

laurc19 · Jul 20, 2009

Yeah I learned the "poking" thing the hard way. I wasn't necessarily poking him but a few months after I had gotten Charlie he looked so darn adorable sleeping that I went to pet him and he was out like a light so he didn't hear me open the door and I went to touch him and CHOMP!!! Ouch that hurt! :cry3: But I don't blame him, he was just scared... it was my fault.

I try not to wake him up but the chins are right by my closet so when I get ready in the morning I sometimes can't help it. I think you guys are right that it might be a territory thing because even when I'm not right up against the cage but next to it, looking in my closet, Charlie will do that. I think it's his way of saying "I know we're adorable and you want to touch us all the time but don't even THINK about coming near this cage" haha