Chinchillas are fluffy, thick-furred rodents found in the Andes Mountains of South America. Though they make popular pets, they are endangered in the wild. They live at very high elevations, up to 14,000 feet above sea level.
History:
Chinchillas are currently endangered in the wild, having been hunted to near extinction for their velvety fur, the density of which is second only to the Sea Otter. Though facing extinction in their wild habitats, Chinchillas are farm-raised, and make popular pets, though they can be difficult to care for. There are two species of Chinchilla, and though both are endangered, the long-tailed variety is more common than the short-tailed, which is nearly extinct.