There are two types of chinchilla namely chinchilla Brevicaudata and chinchilla Lanigera. Both are very similar but the Brevicaudata has a thicker neck and shoulders making it seem bigger than the Lanigera’s. The Lanigera has a longer tail but the Brevicaudata has a slightly longer body. The experts say that the domesticated chinchillas are of the type Lanigera.

The various breeds are really recognised by the variety of colours or mutations. In South Africa there is very little knowledge pertaining to the different colours and colour mutations. There are also very few colours available and only a selective few have colours other than std grey and beige. I will proceed to give the basics and suggest you click onto the link I’ve listed below where you will gain a greater understanding of the various colour mutations.

www.chinchillas.com

BLACK EBONY This is a solid black and they can be bred to any colour including ebony to ebony.

BLACK VELVET This is not a solid black but they have a light grey-white underbelly. They can be bred to any colour except TOV (touch of violet) carriers and not to other black velvets. The black velvet to black velvet carries a lethal factor and this will result in 25% less offspring produced.

BEIGE The beige can vary from a light shade to dark beige. Tans and pastels can also fall under this category.

WHITE Animals that are predominately white with only a scattering of dark guard hairs. A pink white is predominately white with pink ears. The photo below is of a predominately white chinchilla.

MOSAIC This includes all spotted animals.

STANDARD GREY This colour is referred to as the standard colour. It is also the most common colour available in South Africa. The photo below is of a standard grey Royal Persian Angora and is only being used to show off the colour.

VIOLET They have a lavender hue to their fur. The face, feet and tail are pigmented violet. Photo courtesy of Mooi Kloof chinchillas.

SAPPHIRE They are a metallic blue in colour and vary in shades of light and dark. Their bellies are also white in colour. Sorry no photo I’m also not aware of any sapphire chinchillas in South Africa.