Chinchilla Facts

Chapman's care for these animals was perhaps a bit unheard of, since at this time, most hunters were bringing this animal to near extinction as a direct result of trapping for pelts.

Once the herd was established, their cost soared to $3,200 a pair. By the mid 1960s there were thousands of chinchilla ranches created, and the rodents began to be offered as pets, typically $100 an animal. There are now approximately 3,000 ranches throughout the United States and Canada.