Question:
Hi Everyone,

My family and I have just adopted a chinchilla a week ago. She is eating and drinking well. But we can not seem to get to close to her. We were told she was abandoned by a previous family. When she was found she was very skinny. The lady I got her from said that she didn't like to be held but you could pet her and that she didn't bite. Well she has bit me not to hard and made a weird noise. She will eat a treat out of my hand with no problem though. Any advise wouuld be greatly appreciated.


Answer:
Give her time to get used to you and her surroundings. Check out these websites for tips on bonding with your chinchilla:
http://www.chincare.com/HealthLifest...m#firstcontact
http://www.chinnitude.com/bond.htmht...uk/newchin.htm


Answer:
I should also add that my chinchilla (that I've had for almost 4 years) does not like to be held or to have a hand placed firmly on his back. He does, however, like to be scratched behind his ears and under his chin. He also likes to stand on my hand, arms and shoulders, but it has to be done on his terms (e.g. he has to come to me). He will also allow very light petting (with the tips of your fingers - not your whole hand), but I don't think that he particularly enjoys it.


Answer:
Danielle has covered a lot of good info already. I just wanted to add that chinchillas do nibble or nip from time to time as a way of testing there sourroundings (or humans). As long as she did not break the skin or pinch really hard it is quite normal. Otherwise she was probably stressed out abotu your approaching her. It's hard to exactly why she did it without knowing the circumstance.

Give her a lot of time and let her come to you on her own terms. that's the best advice you can get. It takes time to befriend chinchillas but the rewards far outweigh the drawbacks.