My chinchilla died a couple of days ago, and while I did not have him for a long time, I was very attached to him. He was very playful and energetic and had all the freedom he could want. That freedom came with a price. My apartment was his playground and he loved it and he loved to hide in dark corners. Sometimes, hours would go by without me seeing him, but he would always surface, when I brought out his food and eat off my hand and climb all around me. Very rare and sociable personality. Then, the other day, I could not find him and he would not come out for his food. I searched all over and came to the conclusion that he might have sneaked out of the house, when I wasn't looking, or ran out when I opened the door to go to work with me noticing... about 36-48 hours passed and no chinchilla... I was convinced that he may have jumped out the window or slipped out of the door without me knowing. Then I was doing my chores, and went to remove the garbage bag, from the trash can in the kitchen, to find him dead, inside the garbage can. I cried sooo hard. He must have jumped on top of the garbage can, inkowing that the top, revolves, and could not get out. He made no noises or anything. I never knew he fell in their. I could imagine the heat levels in the garbage can and the lack of air. He must've suffered horribly. If you have one of these types of garbage cans in your home, I urge you to get rid of it and replace it with a garbage can, that requires you to step on a lever, to open the top. I am sooo sorry Chinchuri. That was his name. God bless him. I love you and I miss you. I attached a picture of the type of garbage can that took the life of my friend. Do not keep these in your homes if you like to give your chinchilla freedom.