Since Spanish explorers surveyed South America in the early 16th century, chinchillas and their plush fur have become known to the world.
As pets, domestic chinchillas have become some of the favorite and easiest to keep.
With their active, playful and curious nature, having a chinchilla is always a fun and amusing experience; and taking care of them is generally simple and easy.
Their thick fur has become well-known to be rich and luxuriant, and ever since their discovery, the world has taken on a keen interest on their incredibly soft coats.
Compared to other animals, chinchilla fur is unique because instead of having only 1 hair per follicle they have over 60.
This creates a dense but velvety soft coat of about an inch thick deep that helps in insulating the chinchillas from extreme temperatures in their natural environment.
Since their habitat is arid, the animals have adapted to water being scarce, resorting to dust baths to keep clean.
They frolic in fine volcanic dust to groom because it absorbs extra moisture, germs, dirt and excess oil, keeping their coats clean and shiny.
Such characteristics have enthralled those interested in chinchilla coats.
Many people's marvel with the fur includes its durability, as well as its ability to keep them suitably warm during cold weather.
And no matter how thick the pelt is, the touch and feel is luxuriously pleasant.
Interesting fact: similar to dust bathing a chinchilla animal, chinchilla coats are cleaned by dusting talc powder all over them.
Such distinct features have made it possible for chinchilla coats to have become status symbols of luxury and lavish lifestyles.
Even in ancient times, tribes along the Andes Mountains considered chinchilla fur as something with distinction.
Historical Spanish documents have recorded how these ancient tribes in South America make full use of the chinchilla animal.
The creature's name literally means, "Little chincha", referring to members of the Chincha Tribe found in parts of the Andes Mountains.
As time would have it, the tribe was eventually overrun by the Incas.
They were known to feast on chinchilla meat, using their rich fur as ornaments and carpets; while noblemen used them as coats.
When the conquistadors (the Spanish term for "explorer") returned to Spain, they brought with them chinchilla pelts as gifts to nobles and royalty.
Soon enough, most of Europe and Northern America caught on, fuelling the chinchilla fur trade that continues today.
Unfortunately, by the turn of the century chinchillas in the wild became an endangered species, their fur becoming a rarity.
A minimum of about 80 to about 150 chinchillas are needed to make a single coat.
Recently, to help save these creatures from extinction, Chile managed to outlaw the hunt of chinchillas.
In 1983, the Reserva Nacional de las Chinchillas, Chile was established.
Yet even earlier on, conservation efforts during the 1920s were put into place.
11 wild specimens were captured and brought to Northern America for study, breeding, as well as farming.
Though chinchilla fur farms have been regulated across the United States, many conservationists and animal rights activists have rallied against the inhumane conditions and practices in these places.
Chinchillas are bred for the sole purpose of their fur in either crowded or really small areas, and either electrocution or snapping their spine prior to stripping them off of their coat is done.
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), in particular, have fought to have these farms closed down; and the practice of using fur stopped.
Still, the chinchilla fur trade persists.
Aside from specialty stores selling furs, coats, and pelts, there are online sites where interested customers can visit to purchase chinchilla fur products.
Enterprises such as Canchilla Associates and Kaufmanfurs offer varieties other than the standard bluish gray chinchilla fur.
There are chinchilla pelts available in brown and white.