Lacey and Pat

Chinchillas

Lacey arrived at the Center on April 9, 2011. She was estimated to be about 3 years old when donated. Unlike most chinchillas, who are all grey, Lacey is pure white with grey ears. Her unique coloration is a product of being bred in captivity. One reason for the captive breeding of chinchillas is for sale in the pet trade, the other purpose is to raise them for their fur to be used in the fur industry. When Lacey arrived she came with 5 other chinchillas who were all rescued from a fur farmer who was breeding them to be made into coats. Homes were found for the 4 other chinchillas, but Lacey remains at the museum to be used for educational programming.

Pat was born here at the Center in early in 1999. Even though he is our oldest resident chinchilla he definitely has the most energy and personality. In his many years here Pat has educated countless visitors and acted as one of our main animal ambassadors going to outreach programs with our education staff.

Residents at our West Hartford CT campus