Some people just want a chinchilla and don’t much care what color it is.
But most have a specific color in mind.
Sure, the common gray chinchillas are just as cute as any other (mine is gray).
But there is just something extra special about a black chinchilla, isn’t there?
The only problem is that ebony chinchillas are rarer and tend to cost more as a result. It also means they can be hard to find.
Keep reading, if you are considering buying a black chinchilla. There is a lot you need to know before you take the plunge, including the fact that “black” is a blanket term for a whole bunch of different types.
Contents
Black Chinchillas: Overview
While I personally do not own a black chinchilla, I will be the first to tell you that I think that they are one of the most unique and beautiful options you can choose to adopt.
I currently have been raising and parenting a 5-year-old standard gray chinchilla. But I would have loved a black one (sorry Chilli, I still love you just as much!).
However, when I first adopted my chinchilla, the only breeder in my area had no black chinchillas available.
If black chinchillas had been available, I would have likely had a much harder time choosing between my standard gray chinchilla and a black chinchilla (again, sorry Chilli).
They are just too cute, and it is such a good color for this rodent.
Black chinchillas are typically all dark colored fur with white underbellies (more on this shortly).
But you might be surprised to learn that “black chinchilla” is a blanket term. They can even be broken down further into multiple color classifications or mutations.
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The following are some of the different types of black chinchillas:
- Black Velvet chinchilla
- Hetero Ebony chinchilla
- Extra Dark Ebony chinchilla
- TOV (Touch of Violet) chinchilla
That is not an exhaustive list. There are even more names for a chinchilla you can throw around when referencing black chinchillas, like Gunning Blacks for example.
For now, let’s start by taking a closer look at those various options, so that you have an idea as to which black chinchilla you may want to adopt.
Black Chinchilla Options
As mentioned about 2 seconds ago, a black chinchilla is a blanket name for a dark-colored or black colored chinchilla, and the actual classification of the mutation breaks down one step further.
Depending on the chinchilla breeder you choose to adopt from, they may even use some other terminology or nicknames referencing the mutations, or type black chinchillas, they have available.
The names and mutations of the black chinchillas directly below are universal. They are the chinchilla types that you can usually find for adoption in most areas. Let’s start with the hetero ebony type.
Hetero Ebony Chinchillas
A hetero ebony chinchilla looks like a black chinchilla. It has primarily dark black fur, but is slightly different from other variations of black chinchillas.
A hetero ebony chinchilla has a combination of black hair with some gray. It is typical for them to have a black veiling and a light grey stomach area.
The color of the hetero black chinchilla appears almost like a dark blue/black and has no red cast on the fur.
Black Velvet Chinchillas
The black velvet chinchilla is perhaps my favorite mutation. Once again, this variety also has a black veiling and lighter fur on the sides and stomachs.
Black velvet chinchillas also have black stripes on their paws, and their fur has a velvet appearance to it overall.
This is the black chinchilla that is often referred to as the “black chinchilla” or the “gunning black chinchilla.”
If a black velvet chinchilla has any other combination or mutation, that is when it gets referred to as a TOV, which stands for touch of velvet chinchilla.
To me, outside of perhaps the extra dark ebony chinchilla, this is the deepest black color of a chinchilla you could choose to adopt.
It is one of the most unique and beautiful options you can choose, although I am a firm believer that all chinchillas are beautiful and unique, regardless of their color or mutation.
Extra Dark Ebony Chinchillas
Finally, you have the extra dark ebony, which is another excellent color and mutation for a chinchilla. Some breeders or other online sources will call the dark ebony chinchilla a “homo ebony.”
The extra dark ebony chinchilla has black hair and black, or very dark, whiskers. Its skin has a solid color and appears to be shiny.
For an extra dark ebony chinchilla to be born, both parents must carry the homozygous gene or “ebony gene” when they breed or mate.
Overall, this is a fantastic color option for someone looking to adopt a chinchilla soon.
Cost Of Black Chinchillas
Now that you know the different mutation variations of the black chinchilla, you may be curious about how much each of these black chinchilla mutations generally cost.
I wanted to take some of the guesswork out of it for you and give you an estimate. However, pricing will always bounce around based on breeding times, your location, and supply and demand.
And if it is a black Royal Persian Angola chinchilla, you can expect the price to be up to 5 times higher. Nonetheless, here is an overview of what you can expect to pay for each variation of the black chinchilla.
Cost Of Black Velvet Chinchilla
- Adult chinchilla from rescue or breeder: $100.00
- Baby chinchilla/pedigreed: $200.00 to $250.00
Cost Of Extra Dark Ebony Chinchilla
- Adult chinchilla from rescue or breeder: $100.00
- Baby chinchilla/pedigreed: $200.00 to $250.00
Cost Of Hetero Ebony Chinchilla
- Adult chinchilla from rescue or breeder: $100.00
- Baby chinchilla/pedigreed: $200.00 to $250.00
Cost Of Light To Medium Ebony/Black Chinchilla
- Adult chinchilla from rescue or breeder: $100.00
- Baby chinchilla/pedigreed: $150.00 to $200.00
Again, do not necessarily take these prices and run with them, because it is always likely that certain breeders will charge more for any of the black chinchilla mutations.
But they are a good solid starting point to give you an idea of what price you may be looking at. Overall, for how awesome of a color these chinchillas are, it is a good price point. You will usually pay more for other less common colors, like brown or beige chinchillas.
And to be honest, my standard grey chinchilla was not much less than a black chinchilla. But again, my breeder did not have any black mutations available for adoption.
Finding Black Chinchillas For Sale Near You
Finding a black chinchilla, or one of the mutations of black chinchillas, for sale or available to adopt near you is going to require a little bit of research on your end.
You can start by using my guide that lists all the best chinchilla breeders near you by state. It breaks down all the listed and reputable chinchilla breeders in each state.
After you have found which breeders are available within a relatively close distance to you, you can simply call those breeders, or visit their websites, to inquire if they have any black variations/mutations for sale or available to adopt.
It is the best way to find your forever black/ebony or velvet chinchilla. And most of the time, if adopting from a breeder, you will have the option to adopt a baby chinchilla/pedigreed.
Great Names For Black Chinchillas
Finding the perfect name for your chinchilla can be tough, but when you begin trying to match a name to their color, mutation, or even personality, it can be fun.
For black chinchillas, or any form of an ebony chinchilla, I wanted to give you a few names I thought could at least get your creative mind sparked.
Feel free to use these names for your new black chinchilla. And if not, as I said, I hope seeing these suggestions at least gets the creative juices flowing and helps you find your own perfect name for your new furry black friend.
- Ninja: just seems fitting for a black chinchilla
- Shadow: mysterious and dangerous type of name for a black chinchilla
- Oreo: awesome name, if you have adopted a mutation with the bright white underbelly.
- Nightfall: just a cool name
- Midnight: makes sense to me, especially for an all-black mutation
Obviously, when you are trying to pick a name for your chinchilla, you want it to be catchy, clever, and the name that perfectly sums up your chinchilla.
The above are just 5 examples of great names for a black chinchilla. If none are perfect for your pet, use them to spark inspiration and create your own.
Ebony Chinchillas: Final Thoughts
I started off this post today, informing you that I do not own a black chinchilla. I have a standard grey chinchilla that I have had for the past 5 years.
However, I am in the market to add a few more chinchillas to my household, and a black chinchilla is certainly at the top of my list for color options I am considering.
Black chinchillas are a unique and beautiful option for your new pet chinchilla. I especially like the black velvet chinchilla.
Do not worry too much however, about finding a black one, if it becomes a struggle. They can be harder to find and the truth is, all chinchillas make for excellent pets.
Chili and I wish you the best of luck with your new black chinchilla (or any other color) and the journey you have ahead of you.
Share your thoughts and experiences with black chinchillas.
Do you have anything further you can share with the community about black chinchilla color options and mutations?
Be sure to share those thoughts, stories, and concerns by dropping a comment below.
As always, Chili and I appreciate you stopping by and reading today, and we will see you again next time.