There are two chinchilla species: the long-tailed or Chilean Chinchilla lanigera and the short-tailed Chinchilla chinchilla.

Their gestation period is 111 days, longer than most rodents. Due to this long pregnancy, chinchillas are born fully furred and with eyes open.

A single, full-length coat made from chinchilla fur may require as many as 150 pelts, as chinchillas are relatively small. Their use for fur led to the extinction of one species, and put serious pressure on the other two.

The average lifespan of a chinchilla is about 10 years, but they can live much longer if well cared for. According to Guinness World Records, the world's oldest chinchilla was Radar, who lived to the ripe old age of 29 years and 229 days.