In general, Chinchillas are relatively quiet animals, but they make a range of unique sounds to communicate with one another and express their feelings. For the novice Chinchilla owner, these sounds can become confusing and overwhelming, and not knowing what your Chinchilla is trying to communicate can be stressful.
Knowing the sounds that your Chinchilla makes and for what reason will go a long way in helping you care for them and cater to their needs. You’ll know when they are hurt or unhappy or when they are content and comfortable just by learning the different sounds they make. In this article, we’ll help you decipher these sounds so you can get to know your Chinchilla a little better. Let’s get started!
The 8 Chinchilla Sounds and Their Audio
1. Low, Gentle Squeaking
A low, gentle, and irregular sound, characterized by a high-pitched squeaking, is usually a sign that all is okay in your Chinchilla’s world. This sound is a sign to other Chinchillas and you that they are happy and content and that everything is safe.
2. Continuous Squeaking
Similar to gentle squeaking but more continuous and urgent sounding, this sound is usually a sign of excitement. This could be a Chinchilla seeing another familiar Chinchilla, seeing their owner, or even being fed. While this is typically the sound of extreme happiness or excitement, they can also make a similar sound when in distress, so check on your Chinchilla to ensure the context when you hear them squeaking in this way.
3. Barking
When a Chinchilla barks, it can sound similar to a duck quacking and is a rhythmic, urgent sound. They will usually make this sound as a warning to other Chinchillas of danger, a predator, or possibly a warning between males. Males commonly make a similar sound when fighting.
4. Teeth Grinding
Usually, it is a sign of happy and content Chinchilla, but teeth grinding sounds just like you’d expect! They make this sound when they feel safe and happy, usually if they are being cuddled or eating a tasty treat.
5. Screaming
This sound is a loud, high-pitched scream, similar to squeaking but far more urgent. Chinchillas usually scream when they’re afraid, in great distress, or even in pain. Your Chinchilla may have heard a loud noise, seen something that they view as a predator, or have somehow injured themselves. If you hear this sound from your Chinchilla, you should check on them immediately.
6. Spitting (Kacking)
This sound is characterized by a sudden, sharp spitting or coughing noise, known as kacking. This usually means your Chinchilla is angry or in defense mode, and you should stay away. Once they have spent some time alone and calm down, they will usually be fine, but if they continue with this behavior, there may be something else wrong.
7. Teeth Chattering
Rapid teeth chattering is usually another sign of anger or self-defense and a warning to stay away! This may not always be the case, though, and some Chinchillas chatter their teeth when happy and content. Context is vital to figuring out the reason for chattering, and you can tell from your Chinchilla’s body language whether they are angry or content!
8. Fighting
When Chinchillas fight, they make a sound similar to barking, but it is more frantic and urgent. The bark will also be more irregular and differ in volume and rhythm; when you hear it, you’ll know that a fight is going down! This could be a dispute over food, territory, or a female, and you’ll probably need to separate males into different enclosures.
Final Thoughts
Despite Chinchillas being rather quiet animals, they have many vocalizations. Getting to know the sounds will help a great deal in the care of your Chinchilla, and the more you spend time with them, the better you’ll get at interpreting these sounds.
It is important to remember that almost every Chinchilla sound has a specific context, and you, their owner, will know best what they need when they make these sounds.
Featured Image Credit: Creatopic, Shutterstock
