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.
| Scientific Name
|
Common Name
|
Part of Plant
Consumed |
The Season It
Was Consumed
1- Winter, 2- Spring, 3- Summer, 4- Fall
|
Bridgesia
incisaefolia |
Rumpiato |
Seeds |
4 |
Calandrinia
grandiflora |
Renilla |
Leaves |
2, 3 |
Cordia
decandra |
Carbonillo |
Seeds |
1, 3, 4 |
Ephedra
andina |
Pingo pingo |
Stems |
1, 2, 3, 4 |
Flourensia
thurifera |
Maravilla del Campo
or Incienso |
Leaves |
3, 4 |
Gutierrezia paniculata |
Pichanilla |
Leaves |
1, 3, 4 |
Leucocoryne
purpurea |
Cebellín |
Leaves and roots |
1, 2 |
Nassella chilensis |
Coironcillo |
Stem, leaves and seeds |
1, 2, 3, 4 |
Notholaena mollis |
Doradilla |
Leaves |
3, 4 |
Opuntia
spp. |
Gratitos |
Roots |
1, 4 |
Proustia
baccharoides |
Olivillo del norte |
Stem and leaves |
1, 4 |
Puya
berteroniana |
Puya |
Leaves |
1, 2, 3, 4 |
Trichocereus
chiloensis |
Quisco |
Roots |
1 |
Trichocereus coquimbensis |
Quiscaruo
or Copao |
Fruits |
3, 4 |
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." |
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