hinchilla belongs to the most common subgroup of mammals - rodents. We differentiate 2 basic species of the chinchilla – Chinchilla Lanigera and Chinchilla Brevicaudata (short-tailed chinchilla). Close relatives of the chinchillas are: for example guinea pig, agouti, nutria, mountain viscacha or the biggest rodent on the world – capybara.
     
Country of origin of the chinchillas is South America, more specifically western slopes of Andes at altitude up to 3000m above sea level. According to local native inhabitants, even higher altitude living habitat was reported in the past - up to 5000m.
     
Their thick and very warm fur had been famous long before the arrival of first Spanish settlers. The numbers of chinchillas had never been threatened when hunted by local people, their number was quite steady at that time.
     
The big changes started after the arrival of European settlers. The high price for very valued fur was directly responsible for declining numbers of these animals. Their extinction was almost inevitable at the beginning of 20th century.
     
Fortunately, some people had the idea of breeding them in captivity and thus saving these beautiful creatures to these days. The Californian engineer M. F. Chapman was one of them. He started his journey to South America in 1916 and after 5 years, thanks to a friendly Indian, succeeded in finding and later transporting 18 animals back to the USA. Second breakthrough came in 1925 when he managed to breed first few young ones. This big breakthrough started chinchillas breeding in captivity.
     
Fur industry mainly uses Standard colored furs (because of their best quality) and Black Velvet furs.
     
During the years different color variations came up. For example: Wilson White, Black Velvet, Ebony, Beige, Silver, Chocolate, Afro Violet, Deutsch Violet, Apricot, Pink White, Pearl, Sapphire, Royal Blue, Blue Diamond and many others.
     
To the rare mutations belong the mutations Royal Persian Angora, Blue Diamond and Goldbar.
     
Regarding the mentioned Royal Persian Angora mutation, these chinchillas represent another dimension in chinchilla breeding. This type of chinchilla was first observed  and  described (as accidental mutation) in the early 1960's in the U.S.A. and a few years later in Canada, but only in 2005 several of these (already cultivated) individuals left the farm of Ms. Tucker and Ms. Biggers in Amarillo, Texas (U.S.A.) and came to the new owners in Europe and Asia. Royal Persian Angora is a recessive mutation – characteristic for this beautiful mutation (in homozygous form) is long silky hair. Today the Royal Persian Angoras exist mainly in standard and white color, less in beige, black and violet. But in the future we can wait the long haired chinchillas also in other color mutations.