| TWO STUDIES OF THE WILD CHINCHILLA DIET, AND PLANT PHOTOS (2002, 1983, Puya berteroniana) To our knowledge, these are the only two studies of the wild chinchilla diet, but there may be more in Spanish that we don't have ready access to. The plant photos are contained in the second, 1983, study. 2002: Seasonal food habits of the endangered long-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera): the effect of precipitation (Read full article- .pdf) Written for: Mammalian Biology 67 (2002) 167-175 ....By: A. Cortés, E. Miranda, and J. E. Jiménez Departamento de Biologia, Unversidad de La Serena, La Serena and Departamento de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad de Los Lagos, Osorno, Chile  
Abstract: Based on the content of feces, we studied the food habits of the endangered rodent Chinchilla lanigera. On a seasonal basis, during two years of contrasting rain levels (1992= 242 mm; 1993= 123 mm), we collected chinchilla feces from El Cuyano ravine, adjacent to the Chinchilla National Reserve in north central Chile (31° 29' 10.8" S, 71° 03' 43.9" W). The main plant species eaten was the perennial graminoid Nassella chilensis. Chinchillas showed a broader trophic niche during the rainy year, than during the dry year, consuming 55.5 and 40.7% of the 38 and 27 plants available, respectively. Within the wet year the diet differed less between winter and summer (Horn similarity index Ro= 0.58) than within the dry year (Ro= 0.83). Between years, the diet differed more during winters (Ro= 0.20) than during summers (Ro= 0.52). Chinchillas are folivorous, using a feeding pattern of a generalist species. The opportunistic feeding behavior of chinchillas may be an adaptation to the harsh conditions and high variability in food availability triggered by fluctuations in rainfall among years in the arid north central Chile. 1983: Chart of plants consumed by the wild Chinchilla lanigera, based on fecal studies By Mohlis, C. (1983) Informacion Preliminar Sobre La Conservacion Y Manejo De La Chinchilla Silvestre En Chile Boletin Tecnico No.3, Santiago. Corporation Nacional Forestral, Santiago. (Preliminary Information on the Conservation and Management of Wild Chinchilla in Chile. Management Technique 3. Ministry of Agriculture. National Forestry Corporation Bulletin Tech No. 3). Translations Referenced: convenioandresbello.org, infochinchillas.com, wildchinchillas.org Select the hyperlinked scientific names to view photo examples of the plant. Being horticulturalists by hobby, we chose to be very conservative and only link to those photos that we're certain are accurate. Go to infochinchillas.com to see photos in plain view on one page. Note that a common name may refer to more than one type of plant, for accuracy a plant must be identified by its complete scientific name. Also see the Puya berteroniana section, this plant serves as shelter, a food staple and a water source for chinchillas in the wild.
Puya
Berteroniana
As shown in both the 2002
and 1983
studies, Puya berteroniana is consumed year-round (in all four
seasons in the 1983 study, in 7 of 8 seasons in the 2002 study)
and is therefore a staple of the wild chinchilla's diet. According to the 2002 study, this plant is also used for refuge, "the chinchillas use the succulent bromeliad, Puya berteroniana, rock crevices, and boulder piles as refugia" -and- "given it's 70 to 80% water composition, it is likely that P. berteroniana represents a predictable water source for chinchillas throughout the year." (quotes- .pdf, Seasonal Food Habits) Plant description and hyperlinked photos of Puya berteroniana in bloom by strangewonderfulthings.com "Each spring, this relative of the pineapple sends up a massive flower stalk 6 feet tall and over a foot wide, covered with 2" blooms of emerald-turquoise that have bright orange anthers. The turquoise color is extremely rare in the plant world, and it's even rarer to be combined with orange. The large stature and riveting coloration of the Puya gives it a presence that is truly awe-inspiring. Puya (P. berteroniana) is a terrestrial Bromeliad from the mountains of Chile. "It forms a rosette of silvery-green leaves that stand about 3 feet tall. The leaves are spiny but the flower stalks themselves are soft and the flowers are silky-smooth. Unlike the tree-dwelling Bromeliads, Puya has fully-functional roots and grows in soil. Eventually it forms a large stand of offshoots 6-8 feet across. Puya is hardy to zone 8b-11. Mature plants can survive temperatures down to 16-20°F if kept relatively dry. P. berteroniana needs to be protected from frost the first couple of years, and it can take 5-8 years to reach flowering size." |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
