Bennett’s chinchilla rat

Bennett's chinchilla rat (Abrocoma bennetti) is one of six South American rodent species that resemble chinchillas but have a more rat-like body. These rodents possess short limbs, large eyes, and rounded ears, with hairless, padded soles on their feet for traction. Bennett's chinchilla rat, specifically, inhabits scrub habitats in central Chile and is similar in size to the degu, with mothers and young of both species sometimes found sharing nest burrows.1

Chinchilla rats are primarily nocturnal and terrestrial, dwelling in rock crevices or burrows. They are agile climbers of rocks, shrubs, and small trees, feeding on leaves, buds, and stems. Some species are known to build large structures from feces glued together with urine. These rodents belong to the family Abrocomidae, with their closest living relatives being chinchillas and viscachas.12