Sleeping chinchilla

[jackdaniels]

Ok cherry the new chinchilla rocks herself to sleep which I find to be a bit odd as I have never encountered anything like this before. And also just as shes falling asleep she lays on her side the only time I have seen this position is when Georgie was ill. I know she is perfectly fine and have seen a couple over chins sleep like this but not often.

But I do find rocking herself to sleep really strange.


Ok when I normally leave my cages wide open I give it about 10 seconds before everyone is out. These chinchillas seem scared to leave the cage. Do you think they might not have had any real exercise before. To be begin with their was 6 chinchillas in a 1 tier cage (the one they sell on doghealth) 5 females and 1 male. They never produced a litter Misty was meant to be a boy. But she is a female and so is Cherry.

Any ideas?

[deguconvert]

They don't sound very socialised at all! You got these from a breeder, you said? As to the rocking . . . it sounds unusual . . . almost like an expression of anxiety actually. Horses that rock . . . and other animals, like elephants or polar bears . . . will do it when confined for a long space of time in small enclosures. It can be a sign of boredom, or a lack of exercise, or anxiety. Is there any way to ask for more of her history, without sounding like the breeder is not giving optimum care to her animals?

[kimberley]

It may just take her a while to get used to her new surroundings. A lot of ppl advice not to let them out the cage fro the first few days just to get them settled.
Im not sure about the rocking but i know plently of ppl whos chins lie on their side during rest/sleep. Infact theres a thread on it on one of the other chin forums. The members there call it the 'roadkill pose'. lol

[jackdaniels]

OK thanks.

Thanks Deguconvert that makes a lot of sense.

Yeah they was kept in a small cage before the lady who I got them from split them up and put them in one of her cages. I brought one of her small cages she uses its tall thickets cage. Nope one of them is so scared and I am unable to keep her still while holding her. The other is completely different looks scared but stays in one place.

Im really happy I took them on but they would be better in a household with no other animals so they get that one on one attention they need. I don't think they like it her every little sound they jump unlike George who could sleep on Fireworks night ;D. I might ask my brother or someone if they want them.