When Do Chinchillas Sleep & How Much Sleep Do They Need?

The topic of chinchilla slumber is quite fascinating. These rodents sleep quite frequently! In fact, they spend most of their day sleeping, so it makes sense that as a chinchilla owner, you want to try to understand the process. An understanding of your pet’s sleep needs can help you care for them better. Read on for everything that you need to know about chinchilla sleep.

How Do Chinchillas Sleep?

Chinchillas are awake and energetic during nighttime and sleep most of the day. They mostly sleep on all four feet but will sometimes curl up inside a nest box or another small space in their enclosure.

Sleeping Habits

When your chinchilla is asleep, they curl their ears into a relaxed downward position. They like to sleep in tight spaces and are likely to use nest boxes, hammocks, and other structures inside their living space. You can help keep your chinchilla happy by providing plenty of these items so your pet can always find safe places to sleep. As far as your chinchilla is concerned, the squishier the space, the better.

Sometimes, you may see your chinchilla sleeping on their side or their back. While it’s rare for chinchillas to sleep in these positions, it’s still normal. Most often, they will do this inside a hammock.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chinchilla Sleep

While chinchilla sleep habits are fairly predictable, that doesn’t mean individual chinchillas won’t develop personalized sleep habits.

Do Chinchillas Sleep With Their Eyes Open?

Seeing an animal sleeping with their eyes wide open can be scary. However, for chinchillas, this is completely normal—sort of.

Chinchillas don’t actually sleep with their eyes open, but it looks like they do. They can close their irises completely, and their eyelids stay open, giving the appearance that their eyes are open, but no light is entering. So, while it may seem that they are sleeping with open eyes, the chinchilla perceives their eyes as closed.

Can a Chinchilla Sleep Through the Night?

If you create the right environment, your chinchilla can sleep through the night. These rodents are naturally inclined to sleep during the daytime if they aren’t disturbed by loud noises. They will wake up to urinate, drink water, or enjoy a snack. If left undisturbed, they will sleep 10 to 12 hours at a time.

Do Chinchillas Snore?

Chinchillas should not snore. If your chinchilla is snoring, it could indicate a health issue, and you should speak with your vet. From a survival perspective, snoring is a big no-no for these animals, as it would reveal their location, and predators would discover them.

Can You Wake Your Chinchilla Up?

You can wake your chinchilla up if necessary. It’s best to do this in the calmest way possible to avoid causing unnecessary stress.

To quietly wake your chinchilla, say your pet’s name calmly, and touch them gently on the back of the head. This will only work once your pet knows and trusts you. Waking your chinchilla in the first few weeks after you acquire them will likely result in your pet feeling scared. When chinchillas are scared, they bark. They may also bite.

Once you have developed a strong bond with your chinchilla, you should be able to wake them calmly without a problem.

Why Does a Chinchilla Sometimes Sleep on Their Side?

If your chinchilla has had an active play session and has been exercising and hopping around, they may recover by sleeping on their side. This is totally normal and simply a sign that your chinchilla is exhausted.

Occasionally, side sleeping may be a sign that your chinchilla is too hot. If this is the case, make sure your pet’s environment is maintained at a proper temperature to keep them from overheating. A chinchilla’s preferred room temperature is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can Your Chinchilla Sleep With You?

It’s not a good idea for your chinchilla to sleep with you. In fact, they shouldn’t sleep anywhere outside of their cage. These animals are fragile, and sleeping out of their cage can pose a serious risk to their health.

It’s usually recommended that a chinchilla’s cage not be kept inside your bedroom because this animal can be disruptive. They become active at night and will likely disrupt your sleep.

Can Chinchillas Sleep Too Much?

Chinchillas are crepuscular animals. Their activity levels are highest while you sleep, so while your pet might seem to have low energy levels, they probably don’t. You just might not be awake when they’re most active. It’s normal for chinchillas to have only a few minutes of activity and go back to sleep during the day.

Do Chinchillas Dream?

Chinchillas are known to make noises and movements while they’re asleep. It’s suspected that this is a result of dreaming. While we may never know what a chinchilla’s dreams may be like, it’s adorable to watch them sleep, and this activity is perfectly normal.

Do Chinchillas Like to Sleep in Bright Rooms?

Chinchillas need light during the day to replicate the normal day-night patterns that they would experience in the wild. They don’t need much light, though, and they won’t appreciate trying to sleep in a bright room.

It’s ideal to provide about 12 hours of “daylight” for your chinchilla, but this can be done simply by opening a blind to let sunlight in. Allowing natural light into your chinchilla’s space will help them maintain a normal cycle. Otherwise, your pet is most likely to appreciate a dark, quiet environment for sleeping.

You should not cover a chinchilla’s cage at any time because it will mess with their day-night cycle and cause overheating in their enclosure.

Final Thoughts

Chinchillas often sleep throughout the day, and this is perfectly normal behavior. Providing them with small spaces to sleep will help your pet feel comfortable and safe. They should sleep inside their cage for ultimate safety. If you notice that your chinchilla is sleeping with their eyes open or on their back or side, this is normal behavior. Over time, you will get used to “normal” sleep behavior for your specific pet. If you notice that their behavior changes or that they are doing something different, it may be best to consult your vet, as it could be a sign of a health issue.

See also:

• Are Chinchillas Hard to Take Care Of?
• Are Chinchillas Nocturnal & Can They See in the Dark?

Featured Image Credit: Igor Kovalchuk, Shutterstock