PETA's red-paint-splashing campaign may have failed to convince everyone to stop wearing fur, but the chinchillas' adorable personality may do the trick. There was a time no one's even seen a living chinchilla, but the animals are becoming more popular on the pet scene.

Chinchillas, or chins, are South American rodents which resemble a short-eared, long-tailed rabbit. About 15in (38cm) long with a 6in (15cm) tail. It weighs up to 2.2lb (1kg) and feeds on seeds, fruits, and herbs. They are commonly found in the Andes at elevations of up to 18,000ft (5,500m).

Chins are social animals like prairie dogs but live in rocky environment. Because they come from the Andes Mountains, they require fairly low temperatures and humidity. Unlike hamsters, whose life cycle is shorter than a TV commercial break, chins can live from 12 to 20 years.

They were nearly hunted and nearly exterminated for their fur until people started raising chins in farms. While we don't condone the use of fur for fashion, chin farming did save the wild population. Unfortunately, it came too late for the short-tailed chinchilla. This species is believed to be extinct.

Chins have the highest fur density of any land animal with more than 20,000 hairs per square cm. Their fur is so dense it actually suffocates fleas and other parasites. Chinchillas fur, which is very thick and luxurious are originally gray in color. But they now come in shade of silvery gray, white, beige, black and purplish gray.

Owning a chin, or any pet, is a big responsibility. It not advisable to purchase pets on a whim. Before you buy a chinchilla, please read the following Q&A with chin expert Jennifer Gardner.

Question: Can you keep chinchillas a single pet?

Answer: Chinchillas can be happy as single pets, especially if you take great care to interact with yours. I personally feel that most animals are happiest with another of their kind, but there are a couple of problems with having two chinchillas.

The first is that finding a vet to spay or neuter the chins can take some time. I’m familiar with some of the chinchillas that have come into Heartland Humane Society in Corvallis - most were altered with no ill effects. However, some resources suggest that chinchillas cannot tolerate anesthesia well.

In recent years, advances in anesthesia coupled with a knowledgeable vet mean you should have no problems getting your pets spayed or neutered.

Second, chinchillas must be introduced slowly and carefully. You cannot just put two together — they may fight. It often works well to put a younger chin in with an older one, as the older one is likely to be more relaxed. If you would like two, adopt an already bonded pair or get help from the breeder or rescue you’re getting the chin from.

Q. Are chinchillas noisy?

A. Chinchillas are very quiet. They can make a low grunting or barking noise, typically only if they are upset or concerned about something.Chinchillas are nocturnal, meaning that they are most active at night. They may make noise when they play at night, so don’t plan on keeping them in your bedroom unless you are a sound sleeper.

Q. What do chinchillas eat?

A. Chinchillas are herbivores and eat a variety of hay and vegetables. A good quality chinchilla food in a pelleted form is a good way to make sure they get all the nutrients they need. Hay helps keep their teeth worn down and their digestive systems moving. Treats can include dried or fresh fruit in moderation.

Q. What kind of cage chinchillas need?

A. The best cage is large, allowing lots of room for play, and sturdy. Different levels are nice, as chinchillas like to move from level to level. You can choose to get housing with a wire mesh bottom or a solid bottom — if wire, make sure the chins have areas to sit that are not on the wire, to protect their feet.

If a solid bottom is used, a good bedding should be aspen, fir or kiln-dried pine shavings (no cedar as its oils can cause respiratory problems and organ damage), a paper bedding such as Carefresh, or newspapers. In general, chinchillas don’t have much odor, so you should be able to keep them clean with a weekly or twice-weekly cleaning.

Inside the cage, toys are important. Cardboard boxes, PVC drain pipe that’s at least 4 inches and a large, solid wheel to run in can all be part of your chinchilla’s cage furniture. For the wheel, you’ll need to buy one specifically for chinchillas; the larger size and solid construction are less likely to cause injury.

Q. Can chinchillas be set loose in the house?

A. While rabbits and some other rodents can be set loose in the house with suitable protection of chewable wires and other items, chinchillas really, really like to chew. They can chew furniture, walls and cords, so if you’re going to have your chinchilla out, supervise it carefully.

That said, taking your chinchilla out of its cage can give it good exercise and help it bond to you. Just watch it so it can’t get hurt or damage your possessions. It’s probably best to return your chinchilla to its cage when you’re not watching.

Q. Will my chinchilla need veterinary care?

A. All animals should have a vet in case they become ill. With chins, it’s vital to find a suitable vet early on, before anything goes wrong. Annual checkups are good ideas for small “prey” animals like chinchillas, rabbits and guinea pigs, simply because they are so good at hiding any health problems. (In the wild, a prey animal that shows weakness often becomes a predator’s next meal.)

Malocclusion, or misalignment of the teeth, can be an issue, especially in poorly bred chinchillas. Digestive problems can also plague chins — they have similar issues to rabbits and horses.

Heat exhaustion or heat stroke can also plague chinchillas. Any time their environment is over 70 degrees, there could be problems; chins just cannot tolerate anything hotter than 80 degrees for any reason.

Abscesses, heart murmurs and other heart problems, and seizures can also affect chins.

Q. Where can I get more information about a pet chinchilla?

A. Some great online resources exist for potential chinchilla owners.