Author Jo Ann
of Luv 'N Chins II
Male or Female
What's the Difference???
A Special Thanks to Amanda & Darren of Fuzzy Chins for the use of the picture of the family of chins!
You are trying to decide whether to get a male or a female chinchilla, so now you are wanting to know the 'difference' in the male and female chinchilla. Each chinchilla, regardless of sex or color, has its own personality. Other than the obvious reproductive differences; the main difference is the way they will defend themselves. Biting is usually the last line of self-defense for both sexes. All chinchillas will bite but usually they have a reason for doing it ... something has upset or frightened them or they are already hurt.
Usually, most chins will give you several 'warnings' before they bite ... they normally follow the following steps:
(1) Both male and female will try to run away/get away from you.
(2) Both male and female will stand and 'fuss' at you.
(3) Both male and female will push your hand away from them with their paws.
(4) The female only (not all, but some females) at this point will spray you with urine. This 'tactic' is her way of defending her kits and herself from predators and other dangers or the fear of a danger. She is usually very accurate for 6 to 8 feet away. As a 'last resort' she will also use this to separate two fighting kits and she will use this to let her mate know she is not ready to mate yet. The males do not normally use this form of self-defense. (I have never seen it myself, but I have heard of it once or twice from other chin owners.)
(5) Both, male and female, at this point will often, but not always, give you a firm nip to let you know they mean business ... note I said not always ... some chins feel they have already warned you enough at this point. *But, do not mistake a loving gentle nip of affection for the firm warning nip ... the situation will usually let you know which is which.
(6) At this point, both male and female, if you have ignored all the previous warnings ... will most likely, give you a very painful bite, usually bringing the blood. These occasions are rare.
*** Do not hit, scream, yell or fuss at your chin ... it warned you! You are at fault for not heading its warnings. It is up to you to figure out what you were doing that frightened or hurt it and not do it again!
We have had 130+ chins at any given time for many years. I have only been bitten 3 times ... and I knew each time before it happened that I would be bitten.
(1) Once a chin was trapped (wedged) under the central air unit and I had to get it out. He was frightened, hurt and did not understand I was trying to help him, he only knew it hurt, so he bit.
(2) The second time I removed a dead kit from it's mom ... usually they will let you have them without a fuss, but this mom did not want to give up her kit ... even after it had died ... so she bit me. She also sprayed me every chance she got for the next 3 days ... she wanted her baby back!
(3) The third time was when I broke up two chins that were fighting and one accidentally bit me. (After this, I kept a pair of thick leather gloves handy.)
A chinchilla's age, sex and color does not affect its personality ... they each have their own personality. Sometimes, as with humans, personalities can conflict. All chinchillas take time, patients, and love ... some more than others ... but each and every one is worth it!
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