I’m sure you like me have wondered how large your chinchilla is going to get. And like other species, the size difference between males and females is going to be different. In my research, I learn a lot about the differences between the two. Mainly which is going to be larger.
Are Males Chinchillas Bigger Than Females? Females are the larger of the sexes. Long-tailed chinchillas range in size from 9 – 15 inches and weigh from 1 -2 lbs. The males are on the lower size and the females on the upper size. Their tails are 5-6 inches long. Short-tailed chinchillas range from 11-19 inches and weigh 2 – 3 ½ lbs. Their tails are 3-4 inches long. Again the females being on the larger side.
Because of sexual dimorphism there are many changes from the wild chinchilla to the domestic chinchilla. Wild chinchillas were closer in size and structure between the sexes than domestic chinchillas are. They were also smaller than the pet chinchillas are.
They may have originally bred just the larger ones to each other to help bring out the size.This could also be due to the dwindling food sources in the wild caused by the mining of their natural habitat. In the wild their life span is 8 – 10 years, domestic chinchillas 15 – 20 years and some beyond that.
How Big Do Male Chinchillas Get
Males in the wild typically weigh 13.0 – 15.4 oz. averaging 14.5 oz Domestic male chinchillas weigh up to 21 0z. They range from 9 – 15 inches (23 to 38 centimeters), however the tail can add 4 to 6 inches (8 to 15 cm) to their length.
While male chinchillas are smaller than their counterparts, they are every bit as personable and in some ways more friendly than the females. This is in part due to the females being more territorial. However the males will help with the kitts, teaching them to mimic him and keeping them safe.
How Big Do Female Chinchillas Get
Females in the wild typically weigh 13.4- 15.9 oz averaging 14.9 oz domestic females up to 28 oz. They are typically on the larger side of the size chart while the males are on the small side. They have a long tail that is 4-6 inches long, it is fluffy and covered in long hairs.
While they are larger and more territorial than the males they have very strong ties to whomever they bond with, be it another chinchilla or a person. They may take longer to form a bond but they usually form a stronger bond.
Now lets compare the chinchilla to just a few of the other small pets out there. I think that some of this will be as surprising to you as it was to me. I am sure that if it isn’t surprising it will at least be interesting.
Are Chinchillas Larger Than A Hamster
Yes, the largest of the hamster family is the Golden or Teddy Bear hamster. They are 5-7 inches long weighing 5 oz. There are even smaller hamsters. The Teddy Bear hamsters are the most popular hamsters sold. These animals need to also be kept in a cage.
The chinchilla is almost 3 times the size of the largest hamster. Besides the size difference, hamsters are a more solitary rodent. They prefer to have a cage all to themselves rather than to have a cage mate. Where the chinchilla is a herding rodent, and thrives on being with others.
Both the hamster and chinchilla are more active at night, where the guinea pig and rabbit are both more active during the daytime. Other than their nightlife there is really nothing much to compare between these two animals.
Are Chinchillas Larger Than A Rabbit
There are many different breeds of rabbits and some are down right huge. However I found one that is almost an identical match to the size of the chinchilla. The Netherland Dwarf Rabbit adults weigh between 1.75 to 2.5 lbs. The average length is no more than 33 to 50 centimeters.
One of these rabbits on the smaller size would be smaller than a Chinchilla on the upper side of the scale. I did find a couple of other dwarf rabbits that were just a bit larger that would also come close to being in the size range of the chinchilla.
The cage for the rabbit is shorter in height but needs a larger floor space. One big difference is that the Netherland Dwarf is very affectionate and likes to cuddle with you and the chinchilla does not typically. Both are easy to potty train, and both can be trained to do some tricks.
Are Chinchillas Larger Than A Guinea Pig
Yes, the Guinea Pig is 8-10 inches long and weighs 25-42 oz. Although the chinchilla is larger in size the Guinea Pig weighs more and has a hardier body structure than the chinchilla. The guinea pig needs to be caged and like the rabbit it needs a larger floor space with less height.
The guinea pig does not have a tail and the chinchillas tail is 4-6 inches long. The guinea pig does not use its front paws for eating like the chinchilla does. It is built low to the ground and usually keeps all 4 feet there. It doesn’t sit up like the chinchilla or hamster.
Are Chinchillas Larger Than A Cat
No, the Singapore cat is stocky and muscular and is one of the world’s smallest cats. It has a very short and fine coat. A full-grown female typically weighs 1.8 kilograms (4.0 lb) however, a male weighs 2.7 kilograms (6.0 lb). This cat is about ½ the size of your average house cat.
While this is very small for a cat, it is still bigger than the chinchilla. This is also a very rare breed and not easy to get. While I did find a few record breaking cats that were small enough to compare to the chinchilla they were just abnormal occurrences. This cat is also not hypoallergenic like the chinchilla.
This cat likes high places to watch its surroundings, so you may find it on a tall bookcase or the top of the refrigerator. This is the one animal in the group that is not a cage dwelling animal, you will need a cat box..
Conclusion
Females are usually the larger of the chinchilla sexes. Males are more dominant and the females are more territorial. Males being less territorial may bond with you faster, but the bond with the female is a formidable one. Domestic chinchillas are larger than their wild relatives.
The guinea pig and the Netherland Dwarf rabbit are both comparable in size to the chinchilla. Although, they both have different personalities and traits that do not match the chinchillas. Neither of these animals are nocturnal, so there may b more chance to spend quality time with them during the daytime.
The largest hamster is not large enough to compare in size to the chinchilla. However, they do share the trait of both being more nocturnal than the rabbit or the guinea pig.
Even the smallest breed of cat is about 2 times the size of the chinchilla. This matchup is not a good one. They both have great personalities but are not on a level playing field as there are more differences than there are with some of the other animals used for comparison.