Why Do Chinchillas Jump? Is This Something Serious?

Chinchillas are a specific type of rodent belonging to the Andes Mountains in South America. They are well known for their funny characteristics like jumping.

But did you ever think, why do chinchillas jump? When chinchillas get very happy or in a playful mood, they jump! Their jumping ability differentiates them from the rodent family. They can easily jump up to 6ft in a single jump. When it comes to staying safe from natural predators, this is undeniably a valuable talent that they possess.

Other than jumping characteristics, there are some other fun things they do. Keep reading the article to learn these interesting facts about chinchillas.

What Does It Mean When My Chinchilla Jumps?

Chinchillas enjoy jumping, which means; they’re happy and in a fun playing mood. This is a rare behavior you may not find in other rodents. People enjoy this behavior, especially when the chinchilla is their pet. They call this behavior popcorning! Yes, popcorning because this jumping sounds like popcorn sweetly popping in the frying pan.

Chinchillas undoubtedly developed this excellent jumping skill in ancient times to survive the numerous predators they face on a daily basis. Furthermore, they may use this talent to easily navigate the high and low stony streets and steep Andes mountains. They could climb incredibly high boulders by jumping that they could not reach by running or walking.

Mountain lions, wild foxes, and venomous snakes love to consider this cute little chinchilla as a treat. As a result, the jumping ability of chinchillas can be regarded as a beneficial characteristic for protecting wildlife.

Do Chinchillas Jump A Lot?

Chinchillas indeed jump a lot. It is a natural behavior that they enjoy the most. Another reason could be that they are satisfied and happy. They get happy when they are playing with other chinchillas and enjoy small toys or their own company.

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During their playtime, they jump repeatedly and enjoy spending a lot of time on it. So your chinchillas constantly jumping means they are happy now and want to play more. Another cute reason for them to jump constantly is when they’re spending time with you. This means that chinchillas jump a lot as a pet if they like you as their owner or when you free them from the cage to play.

How High Can A Chinchilla Jump?

With each jump, chinchillas can usually jump up to about 6 feet (1.8 m)high. This applies only to adult and active chinchillas. On the other hand, baby chinchillas cannot jump as high due to their small size.

However, not all adult chinchillas have the ability to jump. Some chinchillas are overweight or sluggish. So heavy-weight chinchillas cannot jump high in the air. The interesting fact is that, due to their anatomy, they can still jump high from a standing start.

Why Do Chinchillas Jump Off Wall?

Chinchillas enjoy wall-surfing as well. They express their joy in this way. They become delighted at such moments. As a result of his enthusiasm, he runs up and down the wall. Because chinchillas are nocturnal, they can frequently wall-surf at midnight and sleep during the whole day.

What Happens If Chinchillas Jump High & Fall?

Chinchillas can quickly jump high. But while jumping, one could fall and get hurt. Yes, chinchillas can injure themselves by falling from high, although it depends on the jumping area and the circumstances. There are numerous ways in which your chinchilla can be wounded if it falls from a great height;

Chinchillas are susceptible to rib fractures due to the fragility of their rib cages, which are composed of cartilage for the most part. Broken ribs can cause serious injury to your pet’s limbs.
Bone fractures are prevalent for uncertain jumps. So that chinchillas may suffer from a broken limb, a damaged skull, or both.
It is possible to sustain a concussion without a skull fracture if a sufficiently brutal force strikes the head.
Headaches and vertigo are the most common symptoms, although in more severe cases, brain damage may also accompany these symptoms.
Besides all these factors, take your chinchilla to the veterinarian if it has fallen for a high jump and feels discomfort. They can give you an accurate prescription for it.

In the End

Chinchilla is a very interesting pet who love to play, run and jump. You may notice that your pet chinchillas sometimes jump higher than normal. It’s not a wonder that they are very happy and are in a playful mood which they are expressing to its owner. If you want to increase their enjoyment, add some tiny toys and enjoy their playing!