Similarities & Differences of a Squirrel & Chinchilla

Squirrels

• Squirrels make up a large family of rodents containing over 200 species. They are native to Eurasia, Africa and the Americas, and have been introduced into Australia. Most squirrel species are herbivores, although some have diets that include insects and other small animals. Many squirrels are tree-dwellers. Among the many species of squirrels there is a wide diversity in appearance, ranging from the tiny pygmy squirrels to the large alpine marmots and including flying squirrels, which glide with the aid of membranes called patagia.

Chinchillas

• There are two living species of chinchilla, Chinchilla chinchilla and Chinchilla lanigera, as well as one extinct species. All of these species are or were native to the Andes mountain range of Peru. They are named after a local tribe, the Chincha. Chinchillas are herbivorous and live either in natural rock crevices or in burrows. Chinchillas have a soft pelt which has made them targets for the fur trade. Fur producers breed chinchillas for this purpose; they are also available as pets.

Similarities

• Squirrels and chinchillas have a small number of fundamental similarities. Because of the large number of squirrel species and their diversity, few similarities are applicable to all types of squirrel. Both squirrels and chinchillas are small to medium-sized rodents, and both are primarily herbivorous. Like chinchillas, many species of squirrel have soft, dense pelts and were hunted for their fur. Many squirrel species are also strong jumpers, like chinchillas. Other physical similarities include the characteristic bushy tails.

DIfferences

• While many squirrel species are arboreal, chinchillas are burrowing animals. Squirrels constitute a large, diverse family with hundreds of species, while chinchillas are a genus with only two surviving species. Similarly, squirrels inhabit a wide variety of habitats all around the world, whereas chinchillas are native only to a particular region of South America. Chinchillas make good pets, while squirrels are not considered good pets.