Chinchilla

Chinchilla trimmed coat
MFA# 2009.4047

Description

Valuable, fine-textured fur obtained from a small South American rodent of the family Chinchillidae (order Rodentia). The short, dense chinchilla fur is usually pale gray with darker slate blue shading. Guard hairs are white with dark tips. Chinchillas are very rare in the wild after being hunted to near extinction. International trade of chinchilla fur began in the 1500s and by the end of the 19th century, the animals were rare. All current commercial fur production is from animals raised in captivity.

Chinchilla

Synonyms and Related Terms

Chinchilla lanigera; chinchilla (pels) (Dan., Esp., Fr., Ned.); Eigentlichen Chinchillas (Deut.); chincilla (Port.); mantelgoed (zware wollen mantelstof) (Ned);