How long can kits remain with their mother before they must be weaned?

[dianah]

oh my god jo ann! that looks horrific! glad they both made it!

[Debbie.nl.ca]

Oh that's nasty Jo Ann. 
My gal whom was killed from the attack almost had both ears torn off. Looked like she tried to hide in a tube or hut and the other was hell bent on getting her out.Most of the wounds were to her head & face. I'm pretty sure it was the shock that killed her rather than the wounds, though they were severe.
Amazing this little guy survived such an attack.

[Squirrel_Butt]

Oh my God.  I'm glad they survived.


Clyde seems to think I'm his dad. I hold him and he climbs up my shirt and sniffs noses with me....just like he did to Raisin when he was a kit.  When he was born, I had to wipe the fluid from his nose before he inhaled it. This was done right after he exited. Could he have ended up imprinting on me as well as Raisin? 

Also what do the " SQUEEEE SQUEEEE SQUEEEE" vocalizations mean when a kit sniffs noses with the mother?  Is that asking for food and protection?

[Jo Ann]

   Michael's Chinchilla Home Page is about the best I've been able to find to explain the different sounds chinchillas make.  There are sound bites with explanations of what each sound means.  You might want to check it out at: http://www.chinchilla-sounds.de/index_en.htm  I still go back and check it when I have forgotten what a particular sound usually means.   Always try to pay attention to what is going on around your chin when your little one makes different sounds.   

Hope this helps!

 

[Squirrel_Butt]

Thanks Jo Ann. It means that it wants to be fed and mothered. Clyde would sometimes make this noise when someone came up to the cage too. He would squeak at a family member when they came to see him.

[Jo Ann]

   

... It means that it wants to be fed and mothered. Clyde would sometimes make this noise when someone came up to the cage too. He would squeak at a family member when they came to see him.

Feel very honored ... Clyde was telling you not only did he want to be a part of your family, but he considers you a "big chin" and a part of his family ... a very, very big compliment from a chinchilla.  He's showing he loves you and wants to stay with you.    

Give him a sniff and a chinnie kiss for me.     A chinnie sniff is when a chinchilla greets another chin ... they sniff each other's noses and usually down the side a little ways ... this is the 'proper'/'polite' greeting between chinchillas.

   Jo Ann

[Squirrel_Butt]

Haha that's how I greet all my chins.  I gave him the kiss and sniff for you.