I have read many articles on Handling Chinchillas
and I know that they make sense, but this is where I go wrong!
Here it is from the other way around - the human hand from
the Chinchillas viewpoint, has its uses. It will supply food and should usually
be examined carefully, just in case. Fingers must be opened and checked seperately.
The human hand is also a useful stepping stone to other places, although
any part of the human anatomy can be used for doing this. If you, the Chinchilla
are worried by a strange noise, it is reassuring to hold onto that human
hand. If that hand then gets in the way, it can be briskly pushed aside.
My favourite example of this is when Chico, my standard
grey male was younger. I was sitting on the floor to play with him. He sat
between my arm and my side, this way in a better position to chew on my jumper.
I squeezed him gently to stop this, he jumped out of my embrace, circled
round, gripped my thumb in his forepaws and towed my forearm as far from
my side as he could - then returned to chew on my jumper some more!!
Chico does not appreciate being stroked and will turn and
give you a very old fashioned look if you attempt it. Tilla, my female seldom
stays still long enough but will 'chitter' at you to express her disapproval
if you dare to take liberties. They are both extremely tame but the training
is mostly done by them. They are very friendly and have me, the human, well
organised. If necessary fitting in forbidden activities of destruction when
the well trained humans back is turned!
I do not have two pets who will picturesquely sit on the
knee to be stroked, but two who both have human contact on their terms. There
is something extra touching and friendly about that whiskery nose stuck in
your ear in passing, or the warm little body which climbs up on to a leg
and holds on with a paw just to be friendly. Chico will also give me a paw
on command, unless he is busy - then he pushes the offered fingers briskly
aside.
It strikes me that at least a touch of insanity is required
for Chinchilla pet keepers - probably incurable.
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