Chinchillas are captivating, intelligent, and delicate rodents that havecaptured the hearts of pet enthusiasts worldwide. Known for theirexceptionally soft fur, active personalities, and unique behaviors, these small mammals have a fascinating history and biology that make themstand out among other exotic pets. This chapter provides a comprehensiveintroduction to chinchillas, including their history and origin, species andbreeds, reasons for their popularity as pets, and differences from similarrodents such as guinea pigs and hamsters, providing a strong foundation forresponsible ownership.