Adult weight: Males = 400-600 grams; Females = 400-700 grams (With the advances in selective breeding, chinchillas can now be found much larger in size, even into the 1000g's. Most breeders chose not to breed those smaller then 600g. The most desired range being that of 650-800g).

Life span: 15-20+years (in captivity)

Body temperature: 96.8 -100.4F

Heart rate: 100 beats/minute

Puberty: as early as 3 months, usually 6 -10 months

Estrous cycle: usual 40 days; range 16 - 69 days

Litter size: average 2; range 1-6

Litters per year: 2

Birth weight: 35 grams or more

Born with eyes open: yes

Wean: 8 weeks, at least 200 grams in weight (While some breeders will wean earlier then 8 weeks, I myself believe that the kit should be kept with the parent as long as possible and will not wean till 8 weeks. I have found in my own experience that kits weaned younger are often more likely to nip and do not yet have all of the mannerisms of the parents).