I went out on the deck where a huge cage was covered with blankets. I lifted the blanket and studied the animal within. Calling Laura's cell phone all I could ask is "What is it?" It is a chincilla.
Some friends of hers wanted to get rid of it before their baby is born, so naturally Laura volunteered. This is the same person who is leaving for Ohio this summer for an internship. I asked her if she had googled this animal and knew how to care for it. Not yet. So I did.
So, it cannot get wet (it's fur won't dry), it can't handle heat over 80 degrees (too much fur to cool itself), it can only eat hay (it has a sensitive digestive system), it can jump up to 6 feet, and it is nocturnal -- so it is lively at night, it's teeth never stop growing so it needs wood blocks to gnaw on....
I showed Karl when he got home, he said exactly the same thing I did, "What is it?", followed by "she's just babysitting it right?". At Easter dinner we were discussing what to name it, suggestions included "Laura's mistake" (in Spanish because it is a native of South America) and then "Manna" which means "What is it?"
It is friendly, doesn't bite and we are told that the white variety is rare, most are grey.
Monday morning she listed it on KSL.com for sale. Any takers?
