Why don chinchillas drink very much?
This lack of drinking is inbuilt in the chinchilla from generations of living in a sparse, arid territory (ie: the High Andes) where water is a scarce commodity. Wild chinchillas get their water just before returning to their rock crevices at dawn, when dew is deposited on the mountain rock flora. Now, our chinchillas in captivity still possess the instinct to drink little as it is in their genes. However, old chinchillas with diabetes/kidney problems will increase their liquid intake. Similarly, females in advanced pregnancy may also increase theirs.
