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What is a Giant Chinchilla?

J.M. Densing
J.M. Densing

The Giant Chinchilla is a breed of large rabbit with unique coloring that resembles the coat of an actual chinchilla. Another nickname for the breed is the million dollar rabbit. The breed was first developed in the United States by crossing two other rabbit breeds in the early 1900s. It is commonly bred for use as a livestock animal because its size makes it ideal for meat production. The Giant Chinchilla is also bred as a pet rabbit, and it is known to be a gentle companion for its human owners.

The Giant Chinchilla is a relatively large breed of rabbit. Males typically weigh about 12 to 15 pounds (5.4 to 6.8 kg) and females weigh about 13 to 16 pounds (5.9 to 7.3 kg). The rabbit has a large head with long upright ears, sizable shoulders and front legs, and a lengthy body with a rounded bottom. The unique coloring of the coat is caused by bands of color present on each hair. Closest to the skin the hair is a bluish color, then comes a band of pale off white, then the tips of the hairs are black; these bands produce a striking effect that is highly prized by some rabbit fanciers.

The giant chinchilla is bred as a pet rabbit, as they are known as gentle companions for their owners.
The giant chinchilla is bred as a pet rabbit, as they are known as gentle companions for their owners.

The development of the Giant Chinchilla breed occurred in 1921. A breeder named Edward H. Stahl decided to breed a larger Chinchilla rabbit because he thought it would be very desirable to the fur industry due to the fur's unique appearance. He bred a perfectly colored, regular-size chinchilla male with a female Flemish Giant, a breed known for its enormous size, in his basement. After a few tries he produced his ideal Giant Chinchilla rabbit, a female whom he named "Million Dollar Princess." The new breed proved to be popular, and he was actually the first rabbit breeder to earn a million dollars from the sale of rabbit breeding stock.

Young Giant Chinchilla bunnies grow very quickly, weighing 7 to 9 pounds (about 3.2 to 4.1 kg) at only 12 weeks old, and females can bear several large litters each year. Breeders can produce large quantities of rabbits in a short time, and if they are being grown for meat production they quickly reach useful weight. They are also relatively cheap to feed, making them a cost effective livestock animal.

When kept as a pet, the Giant Chinchilla has a reputation as a gentle companion. They are easy to care for, having docile natures, and they frequently enjoy human attention. They need to be groomed about once a week, more often when they are shedding, and their diet consists mainly of standard rabbit pellets and hay. They require a sturdy hutch or enclosure due to their size. Some owners allow indoor pets to roam freely during the day, much like a dog or cat.

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Discussion Comments

CarrotIsland

@gardenturtle: I am also a proud owner of a Chinchilla. Chinchillas are known to have the highest fur density of any other land animal. They have more than 20,000 hairs per square centimeter. Their fur is so extremely dense that parasites such as fleas cannot live on them. They suffocate.

Humans grow one hair from each hair follicle, the chinchilla has more than fifty hairs from one follicle.

GardenTurtle

We have 2 Chinchilla rabbits for pet and they are so beautiful. They are very tame and love to be cuddled on. Before we chose the Chinchilla for a pet, we did a little research on it. We found out some interesting facts.

The Chinchilla fur is said to be the softest fur in the world and it is 30 times softer than human hair. It is recommended that Chinchillas be bathed in dust or volcanic ash to remove the oil that quickly gathers in their hair.

Martha Stewart has 15 Chinchillas for pets. The Chinchilla doesn’t have dander, which is great for children with allergies.

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    • The giant chinchilla is bred as a pet rabbit, as they are known as gentle companions for their owners.
      By: Serhiy Kobyakov
      The giant chinchilla is bred as a pet rabbit, as they are known as gentle companions for their owners.