can chinchillas eat cat foodscooter's prickly pear infusion recipe
Its advisable to have a big enough cage for your chinchilla to jump around should they ever feel threatened by your cat. On the flip side to this, if your chinchillas have more phosphorus than calcium in their diet then this can also cause health problems with muscle development, bones health and growth. But can rabbits eat chinchilla food safely? What Owners Must Know! However, in this list are food items that you should absolutely not feed your chinchilla and if you do, then going to a vet is the best course of action. Like most animals in the world, chinchillas require a variety of nutrients to be considered healthy and for their organs to work correctly. Strong expertise in both dogs and cats. Yes, chinchillas can eat C heerios, . Naturally aloof people might not want to be constantly hounded for canine kisses, just as cuddly types might be affronted by some cat breeds . As a Chewy & flexoffers affiliate I earn commissions for qualifying purchases. Chewing is good for your chinchillas teeth as they continually grow throughout their lives and chewing safe objects will help to keep their teeth short and healthy. Chinchilla Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock. There are some great hay-based pellets out there on the market that complement your chinchillas hay-based diet and fill in the gaps in your chins nutrition really well. The main takeaway here is that you should never give cat food to your pet chinchilla. You can check out the water bottle we recommend you use in our new cage accessories guide here. If you have to leave your chin alone for up to 24 hours, ensure you leave out plenty of food and water to cover the time span. Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas. If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. This ensures its overall wellbeing is guaranteed, meaning your chinchilla gets to enjoy a peaceful life. This is a question many pet owners ask themselves, and if you fall into this category, youre in luck.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-banner-1','ezslot_11',173,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-banner-1-0'); Heres a detailed article on the compatibility of chinchillas and cats to make you better informed on whether owning these two pets is a good idea. This will ensure that they look for it, as they had to look for the food in the wild. Humans have food, and chinchillas have hay. This is because cats have an innate hunting instinct. Dog food is not nutritionally balanced for chinchillas and can make them sick. Offering too much or too little of one food group can cause your chin to have digestive and even health issues. Fruit is a food that can be offered to your chinchilla as a treat. As it turns out, chinchillas have an absolutely wide diet that varies considerably in the texture, hardness, nutritional value, etc. Chinchillas also need their diets to be supplemented with pellets to round off and balance their nutritional needs. Instead, they prefer to nibble at their hay or grass. You have to be very careful with what you feed these animals, so here are some food items that you should never feed your chinchilla. Tomato Leaves. In addition to that, if you have two or more chinchillas, they can become quite protective of the feeding bowl, which can cause fights between the chinchillas, and also, one might eat more than the other. An overweight chinchilla is susceptible to many illnesses like diabetes, diarrhea, and liver damage. 1.1 Rabbit Food; 1.2 Hamster And Gerbil Food; 1.3 Sugary Foods; 1.4 Certain Vegetables; 1.5 Certain Fruits; 1.6 Processed Human Foods; 1.7 Chocolate; 2 What Foods Are Toxic To Chinchillas: Final Thoughts Chinchillas can consume a wide variety of human foods, most notably vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains. They can be offered much variety of good quality and clean hay like timothy hay, orchard grass, alfalfa hay, oat hay, or meadow hay. Monitoring your chinchillas' diet. For instance, chinchillas were observed eating " Puya berteroniana ", a type of succulent plants . A chinchilla that is fully grown typically weighs between 1 and 3 pounds. , they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. The popular cereal Cheerios are also seen as a treat that chinchillas can eat due to their dried nature and high amounts of fibre. ; The long-tailed chinchillas will feed on insects, such as moths and grasshoppers, and bird eggs if the opportunity presents itself. Chinchillas require a diet high in fiber and low in fat. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Nuts? Many also contain preservatives and additives which arent suitable for your chinchilla. Avoid feeding dried fruits. Studying the plants that chinchillas eat on a regular basis was particularly interesting for those scientists. So what can chinchillas eat? Those products can be harmful to your digestive system in large quantities, so keep small portions in hand. How to feed the chinchilla. If you're looking for a reasonably priced cage that comes with a variety of accessories, try the Habitrail Cristal Hamster Cage with Wheel. You must always do this even after these two pets are acclimatized to each other and coexist peacefully. It's safe to give your chin a raisin-size amount 2-3 times per week. They are extremely high in fibre while offering low amounts of sugar. Chinchillas can't eat blueberries for a variety of reasons. This only happens opportunistically, though. Occasionally, they will eat insects and bird eggs. Protein - 16-20%. Just because a green on the list below is labelled safe doesnt mean that you can feed your chinchilla unlimited amounts of that green or vegetable. You may be tempted to buy cheap cat food from the supermarket. The chinchilla should be given fresh hay every day. 1.1 Understanding The Chinchilla Diet. Chinchilla's natural environment is the Andes mountains. Thank you for supporting us on our journey as we continue to publish content with the aim of helping owners care for their pets in the best way possible! Water should be provided in the form of a water bottle rather than a bowl as this is much more hygienic for your chinchilla. Not only that, chinchillas are similar to other animals, such as cats or dogs. Some dos and donts for having chinchillas as pets are listed below. This is the case when you own a cat and chinchilla because cats are natural predators, whereas chinchillas are rodents and are, therefore, prey. Later in the post, we will show you how much hay, pellets, greens and fruit your chinchillas should ideally eat per day. Get the Best Price and Selection of Dry Dog Food at Pet Supplies Plus. In the wild, chinchillas are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and meat. Copyright tagDiv. The chinchilla will be stressed out by calm cats too. First, rabbit food is not a complete diet for a chinchilla. All of our pet experts are here to help you and . such as elevated levels of calcium and in turn, cause health issues. Fat is another nutrient that chinchillas need in very small amounts to be considered healthy. Earn FREE Grooming, Pet Wash, and Nail Service Rewards. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-box-4','ezslot_2',194,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-box-4-0');You should thus not be surprised if a cat and chinchilla bond as companions or friends. In the wild, chins consume very small amounts of fat in their diet so offering them a high-fat diet that their gastrointestinal tract isnt used to can lead to more digestive problems. Changing the brand of pellets . They should be given very small amounts of chinchilla vegetables like carrots and leafy greens as healthy treats. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. Both chinchillas and hamsters are small rodents, so it's not surprising that they have similar dietary needs. Chinchillas are rodents and behave in pretty much the same way as a squirrel would. Food items that need to be provided to them continuously are hay and clean drinking water. Chinchillas are so cute and such intelligent animals that make great pets. Fruits and Veggies - Fresh fruits, fresh greens, and other veggies are a healthy part of your chinchilla's diet as well. The average pet chinchilla lifespan is 15-20 years (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? Hay which is sweeter and has more nutrients, should be mostly given to young chinchillas and only occasionally to adult chinchillas. our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. Dried dandelions. This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. They eat all sorts of different plants . Our main focus is helping owners to better understand and care for their pets with both straight forward and actionable advice. Dont make sudden changes in their diets as it can upset their stomach. Lets look at some more information that is essential for chinchilla pet owners about pet food. [What Owners Will Want To Know], Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? Again, although this is the common amount of food that your pet needs, you need to contact the pet veterinarian to be sure of ample amounts of food that your chinchilla needs. So, what exactly do chinchillas eat? This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. In this post, we have listed many of the safe fruits for chinchillas although this list isnt conclusive. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). Here Are Safe Wood Options For Chinchillas to Chew On: There is often a lot of confusion about if chinchillas actually need water. Specific Substrate Needs. Dont discourage your pet from eating its own dropping, as it is natural for them to do so. Feeding your chinchilla excessive amounts of pellets does not supply enough fiber for their gastrointestinal tracts (which require high fiber for fermentation of food) and doesnt provide the roughage to wear down their continuously growing teeth. The short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. Make sure to cut these fruits and vegetables into small tiny pieces of cubes to feed them and know the proper quantity that they can handle through your pets vet. Similarly, pet chinchillas should be offered food twice a day but may consume food throughout the day, as they tend to eat more slowly than other small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. This cage features a plastic and wire mesh construction with a built-in wheel and hideout. Average Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. You can just grab little bits of a few things and make a little sampler jar! For example, you could offer them a few pieces of fruit, such as apples or pears. As for what kind of water chinchillas solid drink, you cant just give them any old water from the tap. Plain Shredded Wheat. Chinchillas and cats can get along just fine, but this depends on your cats personality and demeanor. This is what your chinchillas diet should look like, Hay Unlimited amounts (80-90% of the diet), Pellets Limited amounts to complement hay diet, Fresh Greens Small amounts offered daily, Fruit Very small amounts offered on occasion, Lets now break down the different elements of a chinchillas diet and see exactly what they should be eating to keep them both happy and healthy. While it depends on your cat's personality, many will seek out to hunt chinchillas. Eggshells are rich in calcium and, as such, theyre an excellent source of nutrition for your chinchilla! This means that feeding too many greens can cause an unbalanced amount of nutrients such as elevated levels of calcium and in turn, cause health issues. Like. Ideally, you want to offer your chinchillas a low to moderate calcium diet that on the whole contains more calcium than phosphorus. All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. There are chinchilla hay pellets and hay cubes available as well. Gastrointestinal Disorders. Their access to water and hay or grass should be maintained in a way that they never run out. Stay on top of the latest news about canine behavior, nutrition and health. Pets are adorable, but having different species in your home might bring about some issues with some of them incompatible. Later in the post, we will share the exact pellets we recommend you feed your chinchilla so head over to that section of the post if you are looking for good quality pellets. If rabbits were to eat chinchilla . Please do not leave them alone at any moment as our pets security is our topmost priority. Greens and veggies that would usually be considered really healthy choices for most animals can be harmful to chinchillas as nutrients such as calcium can cause unwanted health problems if consumed too often and in large quantities. The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay. Those leaves, while not as pretty as daisies, are a healthy and natural food source for your chinchillas. and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. For any new chinchillas owner, one of the very first questions you need to ask is what can chinchillas eat?. If you want to bring a chinchilla into your home, you could be worried about their diet and general health. Approximately 75% to 80% of your chinchilla's diet should be made up of fresh hay. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. Remember that treats are only supposed to be offered sparingly and not in large amounts daily. Botanical hay. Nonetheless, its still recommended never to leave these two pets alone as you never know when your cats natural hunting instincts might kick in and attack your chinchilla. 3. . Due to their opportunistic nature in the wild, most chinchillas will eat any leaves, seeds, fruits, and nonpoisonous insects that it can come across, and because they are endangered . Make sure to read the product form to know what you are getting when buying treats. Chins have a high metabolism and can eat constantlyideally, they shouldn't go without food for more than 12 hours, but 24 hours is doable if absolutely necessary. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. Dried fruit is often preferred to regular fruit, this is down to the fact that dried fruit offers much less water (which is considered bad for chinchillas) as well as increased levels of other nutrients such as fibre. Feeding adult chinchillas too much alfalfa hay can cause obesity and even calcium stones as the level of calcium and other nutrients is too high and out of balance. As a general rule of thumb, chinchillas dont need fruit to be considered healthy and they dont need it in their diet. Guide + Chart. Similarly, pet chinchillas should be offered food twice a day but may consume food throughout the day, as they tend to eat more slowly than other small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. So, excessive feeding can lead to diarrhea and urinary problems. Another important thing that they eat is pellets. Poison Ivy. Fresh Apple. Why You Shouldnt Feed Cat Food To A Chinchilla, The Risks Of Feeding Wet Cat Food To A Chinchilla, Can Chinchillas Eat Pretzels? Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and Comparison. If your cat does this, theres a high likelihood of it ignoring the chinchilla, which in turn doesnt get so stressed by the cats presence.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_3',181,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); However, if you have an overly active cat, it might not be a good idea to have these two pets live in the same house. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). So, what type of hay do chinchillas eat? . Give your chinchilla space from the cat, which sees it as a prey. link to Are Chinchillas Territorial? Hamsters eat more carbohydrates than chinchillas do, but both species need food with plenty of protein and calcium. Finally, chinchillas need foods that help to keep their teeth grounded over time. It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. Instead, offer your cat leafy green vegetables like kale, bok choy, or arugula. Its quite possible that if you put cat food down on the floor, your chinchilla will try to eat it. So, for a chinchilla to have healthy digestion and be free of illnesses like dental disease and digestion troubles, you need to choose the best chinchilla food that is healthy and appetizing. Chinchillas in captivity often require a balanced diet of low fat, low moisture, low carbohydrates, and high fiber. From allergies to zoomies, we have dogs covered like fur on a sofa. 2.3 Raisins. This includes plenty of fresh green leaves and hay. Fruit can cause problems to chinchillas such as. These exotic animals need chinchilla food pellets every day, a well but in a much more controlled quantity. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. Below we have listed the most common greens that your chinchillas can safely eat in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Hamster food is made largely of things that would be harmful for a chinchilla to eat. It is a rich source of Malic acid that is not essential for your Chinchillas. Look for a pelleted, formulated diet specifically for chinchillas that is 16-20 percent protein, low in fat (2- 4 percent), and high in fiber (15-20 . Consequently, this lowers the stress level of your chinchilla that wont now feel like a target, thereby leading to an environment where these two can live together in harmony.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-netboard-2','ezslot_18',185,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-netboard-2-0'); You need to be careful about how you introduce your chinchilla to your cat is you really want there to be any harmonious relationship between these two creatures. Source: The teeth of a chinchilla are also constantly growing and coarse hay is a must to keep their teeth short and shaped correctly. 2.5 Dried Cranberry And Apple. But guinea pigs are actually really good at eating slowly and reading their body. While hay should be offered in unlimited quantities, feeding large amounts of high-calcium alfalfa hay to non-breeding, adult chinchillas has been associated with the development calcium-based bladder stones. It's important to offer your chinchillas an unlimited amount of fresh hay in their cage daily so they can continually consume the large amounts of fibre they need. Using genetic screening, breeders are now working to try to eradicate the problem - always . Specialties: The Wishbone Pet Company has the largest selection of raw diets in Santa Cruz, CA with a strong emphasis on holistic natural care. Oxbow hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) Long-tailed chinchillas are primarily herbivorous. Pics + 7 Signs Theyre Overweight, How Much Is A Chinchilla [Cost & Price Stats]. Once this condition occurs, there is nothing that can be done other than to provide pain medication and soft foods. Foods to Avoid If you can imagine for a moment what that would be like, it is much easier to see why they need dust baths instead of w. To try to mimic this rough vegetation, the mainstay of pet chinchillas diets should be hay offered in unlimited quantities. Coprophagy helps to maintain the correct balance of intestinal flora within the gut, and also enables the chinchilla to absorb B Vitamins that are produced in the caecum (part of the gut). Persians (the Chinchilla is in the Persian or Longhair cat family) can carry a gene that leads to kidney failure (called autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease) through the development of cysts in the kidney. A tablespoon or two each day is appropriate for most chinchillas. We have two females & two males. Most importantly, you need to know what they can and cant eat! Chinchillas have an extremely sensitive digestive system and the large amounts of sugar that are usually present in fruit can be harmful to your chinchilla. From their increased curiosity and affection to their unmatched affordability, chinchillas will always be amazing pets. If you want to ensure that your chinchilla gets enough calcium, then you should add some eggshells to their diet. Their diet should be composed of about 35% carbohydrates, 3.5% fat, 30% fiber, 15% protein, and only 4% sugar. Semi-dry foods consist of dried milk and grain. The best way to safeguard your chinchilla from your cat is by placing its cage far from the reach of your cat. As you know, chinchillas are very sensitive animals, so you need to be very careful with what you feed them. As well as knowing what foods chinchillas can eat, its also important to understand what common foods your chinchilla should be staying away from too. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. . They eat Royal Canin special Persian cat food and the kittens are eating kitten food. Plain Cheerios. It is not a suitable food for them to have, even in small amounts. Growing, breeding, and nursing chinchillas may be fed a larger amount of pellets to provide additional calories, protein, fat and calcium. The stomach, chest, and chin are pure white. On the flip side to this, if your chinchillas have more phosphorus than calcium in their diet then this can also, cause health problems with muscle development, bones health and growth. Health and welfare issues - other. The most obvious reason why you shouldnt feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! This is because rabbits require higher amounts of protein than chinchillas, which is reflected in the content of their food. To be more specific, the diet should have 30% fiber, 16% protein, 35% carbohydrates, and the rest should be filled with fat, minerals, and sugar. Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. Chinchillas dont need a whole lot of greens in their diet but they are still important in the right quantities. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as nuts and sunflower seeds need to be avoided. Chinchillas also require small amounts of fresh greens and can be fed occasional treats such as dried fruit from time to time. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We have created a list of common foods that chinchilla owners regularly contemplate feeding their chinchilla. and how to get rid of it, The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023, Are chinchillas Smart? Although fruits and nuts are something that can be fed to chinchillas, it is best to avoid them. 1. Chinchillas are herbivorous and do not eat animal-based products. . What Owners Must Know! For these two pets to live in harmony with each other, patience and constant supervision is necessary. They love to play and interact with humans which makes them excellent pets. This is because cats instinctive desire is to hunt down rodents while chinchillas tend to be more reserved and usually love hiding.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_13',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); Therefore, before you can even test whether your cat and chinchilla can get along, the first thing to do is establish each of these species personality traits. Just like all other animals, chinchillas need good quality food to survive. The treats that you choose to feed them should be done in very limited and controlled quantities. Overconsumption of pellets can also be fattening and can lead to obesity and diarrhea due to excess carbohydrate ingestion. Its role in highlighting their adaptability to new or specif environments is matchless. Made from dehydrated rose hips, Exotic Nutrition Critter Selects Rose Hips Chinchilla Treats are great little chunks that you can even add to a food puzzle. 2.6 No Sudden Dietary Changes. They are high in sugar, however, so give sparingly. The diet for chinchillas should be monitored to make sure they follow it daily. If you want to know what age baby chinchillas are weaned then head over to our post that shares all you need to know. Its always best to check before you offer your chinchilla a new fruit just to make sure its safe and to see just how much you can offer them in one sitting. Thankfully, nowadays, there is a variety of hay available so that you can choose the hay type that your chinchilla loves the most. Small pets like chinchillas have very specific dietary needs. What Nutrients Are Important For Chinchillas? Some owners are allergic to hay, so what should they do? The problem is that the majority of fruits are high enough in sugar to cause your chinchilla digestive problems amongst other things so only a handful are really considered safe enough to eat even in small quantities. The worry is that the chinchilla will refuse to eat unless being served the ingredient (even if a health condition requires them not to eat it anymore.) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Also note: the initial interaction shall be concise, lasting only a few minutes. In this article, we'll answer the above questions by taking an in-depth look at what kind of diet is best for your beloved pet chinchilla. Made in USA; On Sale; Up to 25% Off: Select . Many gastrointestinal disorders can result in yellow throw up. [Top Speeds], Is My Chinchilla Fat? This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. Two such posts that we have recently published are. Feeding any type of cat food to your chinchilla is a bad idea, however, feeding them wet cat food is one of the worst things you can do. Provide hay in your chinchilla's cage at all times so it has something to graze on. Read More The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023Continue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Unfortunately, yes. Besides, Read More Are Chinchillas Cuddly? Therefore, youll want to choose the hay wisely if you dont want, Read More Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and ComparisonContinue. The short answer is no. Please remember that there are hundreds of greens and vegetables from around the world. Behavior & Training Food & Nutrition . In fact, when given the choice between dry cat food and fresh grass, chinchillas choose the latter every time! If you do this, your chins diet should easily fall into this low calcium and even lower phosphorus model providing you stick to safe and recommended greens and veggies. Chinchillas are South American rodents that have continuously growing, open-rooted teeth to compensate for the wear that occurs from chewing on very abrasive, high-fiber grass and hay. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. Of course, there are some other food items that chinchillas cant eat as well, so it is best to ask a vet if you are unsure about the food item that you could feed your pet. Cat with can food. Therefore, you need to make sure your chinchilla is safe in the cage placed in a different room your cat cant go into. Along with the quality of good that you feed your pet chinchilla, the quantity is just as important. Following a healthy diet will maximize your chinchillas lifespan. Do you see that furry animal? | Learn More >> You are shopping: Livonia, MI Livonia. Shoot me an emailif you have a question! Anu wood sticks you offer your chin needs to be from non-toxic trees and free from pesticides. You can repeat the process for a few days, gradually increasing the time frame. Raisins. Bottles water is safe for chinchillas to use but is an expensive way of providing your Chinchilla with water and some would consider this quite wasteful. Oat grass. This means your cat gets to see your chinchilla but isnt in a position to touch it.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-portrait-1','ezslot_19',188,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-portrait-1-0'); You also need to make sure that this area is just as comfy as where your chinchilla is to avoid your cat from wanting to stretch inside the cage bars.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetshq_com-leader-4','ezslot_8',189,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-4-0'); Moreover, make sure there isnt a bed positioned over the chinchillas cage to prevent your cat from having a post from where it might try and reach the chinchilla. As mentioned earlier, chinchillas' dietary requirements are different from other animals, and therefore, they should not eat guinea pig food or gerbil food. 1 What Foods Are Poisonous To Chinchillas? Oxbow Essentials Deluxe Chinchilla Food. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Timothy Hay? Cats are feline predators that are known for hunting rodent prey like chinchillas.