Yes, Chinchillas are nocturnal. I have 2, they sleep most of
the day and play from like 6pm until dawn... they do get up in
the daytime, if thier people are around, and can adjust to your
schedule, but they are in nature... nocturnal.

Chinchillas make wonderful pets for people 14+ that have well
air conditioned homes and want a pet that is not real "hands
on". A best bet for a classroom pet is probably a guinea pig,
as they are very gentle, cute, and easy to catch if they get
loose. Chinchillas are very fast, most dislike being held (and
yes, are very fragile), need 75 degree or LESS temperatures or
they risk overheating, and they need very large cages because
they are curious jumpers and will not be happy in a cage less
that 3" X 3" so they can bounce around. However, they are VERY
sweet, and love to be petted and talked to, and are generally
friendly to strangers if they are exposed to lots of people
from a younger age. (Mine are very social, and I have had once
since age 2, the other since 10 weeks).

Good Luck

On 1/16/09, cccvf wrote:
> THEY ARE NOT NOCTURNAL!!!!!

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