Chinchillas come in a variety of colors. Except for what is known as the standard gray chinchilla which is a chinchilla with a agouti coat and a very white underside all these colors are mutations. People wanting to purchase a chinchilla now have a variety of color choices such as ebony, white, mosaic, grays (violets and sapphires) browns (tans and beige) and even the new golden colored chins. However, one of the most interesting of the mutate colored chins are those known as the velvets.

These chins come in assorted colors such as brown, white and black. The black velvet Chinchilla is one of the oldest and most beautiful mutations. These chinchillas have rich dark black fur on their face and back which feels very much like brushed velvet. This black color fades somewhat along the chinchillas sides and the best specimens have extremely white bellies. Their eyes are very dark.

The velvet chinchillas are said to have a different personality than most other chinchillas. They are known as the chins with attitude. This is often true as velvet chinchillas can display a haughtiness lacking in other colors of chinchillas. These chinchillas can make their owners feel like servants who are simply their to meet their every whim. While not all velvet’s have this particular trait enough of them due to have earned the velvets this well deserved reputation.

As a hobby breeder of chinchillas for many years I find this trait more apparent in the female of the species than in the males. Most of the male velvets I have owned are quite laid back and friendly, loving to be held and loving attention. The females however, have been a different matter. The few I had owned have ranged from standoffish and haughty to demanding to downright unfriendly at times.

The odd thing about it is that after owning a velvet for a while you come to appreciate and even enjoy this attitude.

The black velvet chinchilla however, seems to be in a class of his own when it comes to beauty and attitude however. I find the females have an unusual regal bearing and attitude that makes me smile and sometimes laugh out loud. On the rare occasions I offer my chins a treat these females don’t grab their raisins as my other chins do, oh no they practically make me beg before they the reach out with a paw and daintily take the treat from me with nose held high in the air. The black velvet males on the other hand seemed highly energized compared to most chins. )And if you have owned chinchillas you know how much energy these little bundles of fur have normally) Bouncing around from here to there and even turning flips in their cages. When let out for a stroll these little fellows are like a blur streaking across a room or play area. The energizer bunny has nothing on these little guys.

Of course, it is always wise to keep in mind that as a lover of chins, I may be a tad bit expansive in my view of their personality traits. Or perhaps, it is simply that my babies are more spoiled than most.