Storytime: When we added a little spice to our herd
As a single chinchilla, Hiddleston was pretty happy. Which is odd because chinchillas tend to prefer being in pairs.
When Hiddleston's bonding partner died, I thought that was going to be the end of Hiddleston as well. My research showed that some chinchillas are so heartbroken over the loss of their friend that they will try to commit suicide by starving themselves. Hiddleston, however, continued to be his boisterous, curious self, and I stopped watching for signs of starvation. We were a happy one-chinchilla family.
When Hiddleston's bonding partner died, I thought that was going to be the end of Hiddleston as well. My research showed that some chinchillas are so heartbroken over the loss of their friend that they will try to commit suicide by starving themselves. Hiddleston, however, continued to be his boisterous, curious self, and I stopped watching for signs of starvation. We were a happy one-chinchilla family.
Then, I got a message on Facebook from a work colleague.
"I hear you have chinchilla experience."
"Yes, I do."
"Do you want two more?"
Unbeknownst to me, my former coworker is a foster mom for our state's Fish and Wildlife Service. She has taken in everything from chameleons to rabbits to chinchillas that are either abandoned, found, or confiscated. She is a busy young woman with a heart of gold and a house full of animals. At that particular time, she had two new chinchillas, both males, who needed a forever home.
I thought hard about bringing in new chins. The two males were not bonded and needed to live in separate cages, which meant I'd be cleaning and caring for three separate behemoth metal structures in the rodent room. At the time, I didn't know about the miracle of fleece bedding, and I didn't want the workload of three chinchilla cages (which is hilarious because now I have two chin cages, a rabbit hutch, and a Guinea pig pen to clean). My friend added that the older of the two males constantly screamed at the younger, and if they were out together, he harassed the little one.
With that in mind, I replied, "I think I'll adopt just the little one and see how that goes."
"I hear you have chinchilla experience."
"Yes, I do."
"Do you want two more?"
Unbeknownst to me, my former coworker is a foster mom for our state's Fish and Wildlife Service. She has taken in everything from chameleons to rabbits to chinchillas that are either abandoned, found, or confiscated. She is a busy young woman with a heart of gold and a house full of animals. At that particular time, she had two new chinchillas, both males, who needed a forever home.
I thought hard about bringing in new chins. The two males were not bonded and needed to live in separate cages, which meant I'd be cleaning and caring for three separate behemoth metal structures in the rodent room. At the time, I didn't know about the miracle of fleece bedding, and I didn't want the workload of three chinchilla cages (which is hilarious because now I have two chin cages, a rabbit hutch, and a Guinea pig pen to clean). My friend added that the older of the two males constantly screamed at the younger, and if they were out together, he harassed the little one.
With that in mind, I replied, "I think I'll adopt just the little one and see how that goes."
My friend provided everything for this lost and abandoned chinchilla, who she estimated was barely a year old. I received a beautiful two-story cage on wheels with cool branches throughout for the chinchilla to jump on, a first aid kit especially designed for chinchillas, treats, a terracotta house, water bottle, and an entire plastic tub of goodies for him. I was blown away.
When this new chinchilla arrived, he looked rough. His fur was matted, especially around his face. My friend told me this little chin was dumped, and Fish and Wildlife found him outside in the woods somewhere. I have no idea how he survived or what he went through, but you could see from his face that this was not a happy chinchilla. The fur around his face, which probably got very wet, has never looked like a normal, fluffy chin's.
At first, the new little guy started off as DiCaprio because my other chinchilla was Hiddleston, after Tom Hiddleston. However, this weird, clearly unbalanced chinchilla didn't seem to fit the name of the suave actor who finally won an Oscar. I was talking to my ex about the problem, and he threw out Chili the chinchilla. I liked it. Chili Pepper was named.
When this new chinchilla arrived, he looked rough. His fur was matted, especially around his face. My friend told me this little chin was dumped, and Fish and Wildlife found him outside in the woods somewhere. I have no idea how he survived or what he went through, but you could see from his face that this was not a happy chinchilla. The fur around his face, which probably got very wet, has never looked like a normal, fluffy chin's.
At first, the new little guy started off as DiCaprio because my other chinchilla was Hiddleston, after Tom Hiddleston. However, this weird, clearly unbalanced chinchilla didn't seem to fit the name of the suave actor who finally won an Oscar. I was talking to my ex about the problem, and he threw out Chili the chinchilla. I liked it. Chili Pepper was named.
And, it has been an appropriate name. Due to his heartbreaking background story, Chili is, simply, a hot mess. Perhaps the naughtiest chinchilla I've encountered, Chili Pepper chews everything, has no head for good behavior, and loses his mind if you touch him. He can hardly be handled, and he is the only chin I've had who has bitten me in order to inflict pain. He is also sporadic as all get out, trying to climb and jump up straight walls. He is the only chinchilla to have hung himself on the window blind cords!
I've worked very hard with him to have a stronger relationship over the past year, and we still have a long way to go.
On the other hand, Chili Pepper and Hiddleston are the best of friends. It took quite a few months, to the point I thought it would never happen, but now they are two fuzzy peas in a pod. The boys will snuggle together, affectionately greet each other, and groom each other's fur. They still live in separate cages, but they play every night and bond during floor time. It has been an amazing thing to witness, this friendship between two animals that were complete strangers.
Yes, this little bit Chili has certainly added spice to the herd.
I've worked very hard with him to have a stronger relationship over the past year, and we still have a long way to go.
On the other hand, Chili Pepper and Hiddleston are the best of friends. It took quite a few months, to the point I thought it would never happen, but now they are two fuzzy peas in a pod. The boys will snuggle together, affectionately greet each other, and groom each other's fur. They still live in separate cages, but they play every night and bond during floor time. It has been an amazing thing to witness, this friendship between two animals that were complete strangers.
Yes, this little bit Chili has certainly added spice to the herd.
In other news...
Makoa decided to check out Hiddleston's cage and made it all the way to the top!
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