If you're looking to get a chinchilla, you probably already know that they come in a ton of different colors. And some colors are much more expensive than others. This article will explain some differences in color and what it all means.
Originally in their natural habitat, all chinchillas were a dark grey with white bellies. This is known today as the standard color chinchilla. Throughout the years of being bred as pets, breeders have gotten lots of color mutations to come out and produce a huge variety of colors among chinchillas. One thing you will notice when looking at different colors of chins is that a lot of colors have hetero and homo versions. And no, this doesn't have anything to do with the sexual orientation of the little guy.
Truthfully, unless you're planning on breeding your chinchillas, whether you find one that is hetero beige or homo beige doesn't really matter all that much. The colors will be close enough to each other that it won't matter much.
If you are planning on breeding your chins and want a certain color of kits (beige for example), then it is a good idea to get two chins that are homo beige. This basically means that they both have dominant beige genes, so when they mate their kits will come out beige. If you were to get 2 hetero beige chinchillas, then chances are 50/50 that you'll get a beige or standard kit.
If price is a concern, the standard chins will usually be sold the cheapest because they are so abundant. Any chins with a dominant gene color will be less expensive than chins with recessive gene colors. For example, a beige is a dominant gene so they are much more common than the dark ebonys. So if you just want a fun pet to have and love, then go out and find a cheaper one to help you save some dough.
Find a breeder in your area that specializes in chinchillas and go visit them to see what kind of a selection they have. Chances are they won't have every color available, so don't get too attached to a certain color of chin that you won't be able to find anywhere near where you live.
Next, you should keep learning about your chinchilla so you know what he needs and when. For more information about the different chinchilla colors, visit my website which is an online resource that has articles and information about chinchilla care and how to raise a happy chin that lives a full, healthy life.
