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[chinchilla.nikki]

Well, maybe someone on here can help me with this question.  I have been trying to find out if anyone knows if a mosaic chin always has a white-tipped tail??  I have a litter of 3.  The Mom is a mosaic & the father is a standard gray.  One kit is gray, one kit is definitely a mosaic & the other one is a mystery.  All I can say is she looks "splotchy" colors of white & gray.  Maybe she's a light gray?  I have posted some pictures, but they could be better.  Even if they were, it's really hard to tell what she is.  I sent an e-mail to Shoots to see if they could help me.  They say the only stupid questions are the ones unasked. I may just have to wait until she gets bigger. I was going to post a picture, but it is too large....may resize & post later.   Thanks for your help.    ~JANE~  

[chinchilla.nikki]

Well, here are the pictures.  Not great, but it's all I have. They actually are good replicas of what I am seeing.  There are a few white hairs on the tail, but that's all.  I have 70+ chins & have never seen one "splotchy" in color like this.  If she is a light gray....she's a keeper unlike any I have.   Thanks for your help......~JANE~

[Jo Ann]

   It's definitely a wait and see situation.  I have had the same thing many times ... sometimes they end up looking like a standard and other times a mosaic.  Mosaics are the hardest to know what they are going to look like when they get older.

Example of one, Roo ... This little one is a perfect example.

White on the tip of the tail, white belly and the rest gray ... at birth. 

He slowly changed ... 9 months later, he looks like a white mosaic, without a doubt!   

   Jo Ann

[chinchilla.nikki]

Then I guess that's what I'll do....wait.  Cute chinnie pictures.  That's the way this one is.  A  few white hairs on the tip of the tail.  Might not want to sell her if I keep her too long...that's ok...I'll twist my arm to keep her.........lol      Have you ever worried that you put the wrong color on a pedigree?  I haven't but it'll make me think twice after this little girl.     Thanks for the help.     ~JANE~

[cadillactaste]

What cute chinchilla babies...Can't help with your question...but wanted to say...it's adorable!

[Jo Ann]

   I always hold on to one if I have a question ... until I know for sure.

If there is only a few white hairs at the tip ... it's a tossup.

If the whole tip is white ... it's probably a mosaic.

Only time will tell.   

      Jo Ann

PS.  When you have a standard that came from a white mosaic and a standard ... always remember to mark it as a standard/ possible white mosaic carrier.
There is a big difference between a pure standard and a standard that comes from a standard and a mutation, or a standard that came from two mutations.
When breeding, you want to use a good blocky pure standard to help keep the line strong.
I do not like to breed mutations to mutations for more than one or two generations.  Just my personal practice.

[chinchilla.nikki]

Thank you so VERY much for that important information, Jo Ann!!  Something to add to my book of knowledge.  It really does make sense.  If I don't have any pure standards, I'll have to see about getting some.  Any suggestions where to get some?     

[Jo Ann]

    True pure standards are sometimes hard to find.   You might want to check with Ralph and Barbara Shoots at: http://www.shootschinchilla.com/   They have some of the most beautiful chinchillas I have seen anywhere.  They are ranchers and for many years raised only the standard and the black velvet chinchillas ... I believe they have recently added another mutation or two to their herd.  Ralph is a sanctioned judge for both the M.C.B.A and Empress Chinchillas and is in the Chinchilla Hall of Fame.  The Shoots also show their chinchillas at many of the shows Ralph is not judging.  They do travel quite a bit and might be in an area within driving distance for you.  I would check with them.  They are very nice and have excellent chinchillas!

   Jo Ann

[n*ice mom]

So what color did your mystery chin end up being?

I have one that is that same splotchy gray. I originally thought he was a standard, but his color is identical to his twin, a mosaic, except the mosaic has a white tail and a big stripe of white on the hip. He reminds me of my silver mosaic who is 2 y.o. now. and was born a similar color but had the tell-tale white tail of a mosaic.

Does a mosaic have to have at least a white tip on its tail?