I just got my chinchilla, a three-year old female named Tia, from an old retired couple (I posted in the Guestbook about it). I've had her for two full days now, and she is still timid and such, but I can not get over how gentle she is! I always feed her a little bit of craisin or oat flake when I leave the house and when I come back (I cut the craisins in six pieces so they go a long way). Usually when I leave she's awake, because I leave the house at 7am and she's awake from the night. Today though, I left at noon because it's Saturday.
Her hidey hut faces away from me, so I can't see her when I offer her the treat if she's completely inside it, which she was today. Then I just felt this soft warmth against my fingers and a gentle tugging on the craisin, but I was holding it too tight, she wouldn't take it. I loosened my grip and she took it. She is so gentle, even though I just got her, I am just completely in love with her!
I was always into rats before this, and I lamented on their short life span (3 years is pretty old with them, but I had a girl who lived to 4), but I think I'm becoming a chinchilla person because of Tia. I get very attached to animals, so their long lifespan really suits me.
I guess what I'm saying is - are they all this gentle?