Scientific Name and Classification

• Common Name: Chinchilla
• Scientific Name: Chinchilla lanigera
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Rodentia
• Family: Chinchillidae
• Genus: Chinchilla
• Species: C. lanigera

Subspecies and Varieties

Chinchilla lanigera, commonly known as the long-tailed chinchilla, is one of two species in the genus Chinchilla. The other is Chinchilla chinchilla (short-tailed chinchilla). While no formal subspecies of C. lanigera are recognized in scientific taxonomy, domesticated chinchillas are often categorized into three distinct types based on physical traits:

• La Plata: Stockier build, round head, short ears, and a compact body.
• Costina: Slender frame, longer hind legs, arched back, and V-shaped head.
• Raton: Smaller size, pointed nose, and closely set horizontal ears.

These domestic types are bred primarily for pet and fur industries and are all derived from C. lanigera.