Viscacha vs. Chinchilla — What's the Difference?

Known for diurnal activity.

Target of fur trading.

A South American rodent resembling a rabbit.

Smaller group sizes.

Feeds on sparse vegetation.

Requires high roughage diet.

Lives in colonies.

Primarily nocturnal.

Agile climbers.

A small Andean rodent known for its dense fur.

Viscachas or vizcachas (UK: , US: ) are rodents of two genera (Lagidium and Lagostomus) in the family Chinchillidae. They are native to South America and look similar—but are not closely related—to rabbits.

Chinchillas are either of two species (Chinchilla chinchilla and Chinchilla lanigera) of crepuscular rodents of the parvorder Caviomorpha. They are slightly larger and more robust than ground squirrels, and are native to the Andes mountains in South America.

Any of several South American rodents of the genera Lagostomus and Lagidium, having large ears and a bushy tail, some species of which live in elaborate systems of burrows.

Either of two rodents of the genus Chinchilla that are native to the mountains of South America and are widely raised in captivity for their soft, pale gray fur.

Any of the several South American rodents, native to the Andes, of the genera Lagidium and Lagostomus, within family Chinchillidae.

The fur of either of these animals.

A large burrowing South American rodent (Lagostomus trichodactylus) allied to the chinchillas, but much larger. Its fur is soft and rather long, mottled gray above, white or yellowish white beneath. There is a white band across the muzzle, and a dark band on each cheek. It inhabits grassy plains, and is noted for its extensive burrows and for heaping up miscellaneous articles at the mouth of its burrows. Called also biscacha, bizcacha, vischacha, vishatscha.

A thick twilled cloth of wool and cotton used for overcoats.

Gregarious burrowing rodent larger than the chinchillas

(countable) Either of two small, crepuscular rodents of the genus Chinchilla, native to the Andes, prized for their very soft fur and often kept as pets.

(uncountable) The fur of a chinchilla, used for clothing.

A variety of Persian cat with white fur and green eyes.

A small rodent (Chinchilla lanigera), of the size of a large squirrel, remarkable for its fine fur, which is very soft and of a pearly gray color. It is a native of Peru and Chili.

The fur of the chinchilla.

A heavy, long-napped, tufted woolen cloth.

The expensive silvery gray fur of the chinchilla

A thick twilled fabric of wool and cotton

Small rodent with soft pearly gray fur; native to the Andes but bred in captivity for fur

Chinchillas live in the cold, mountainous regions of the Andes.

Both are members of the Chinchillidae family.

Some species of viscacha are considered at risk due to habitat destruction and hunting.

Their diet consists mainly of grasses and seeds.

Chinchillas usually live in groups that can range from a few individuals to larger colonies.

The primary threats include habitat loss and historical overhunting for their fur.

Viscachas use a variety of sounds to communicate within their colony.

They are native to South America, particularly in rocky areas.

While chinchillas are commonly kept as pets, viscachas are not typically domesticated.

They have been hunted for their extremely soft and dense fur.

Viscachas can live up to 10 years in the wild.

Viscachas use their agility to leap and climb in rocky terrains to escape threats.

Their dense fur provides insulation against the cold, and their nocturnal habits help avoid daytime predators.

Chinchillas take dust baths in volcanic ash to maintain their fur’s cleanliness and insulation properties.

Yes, there are several species of viscachas, each adapted to slightly different environments within South America.