Let’s start out with the most commonly found color of chinchilla! The standard gray, standard or gray chinchilla. These terms are used to describe the very first color chinchilla and the color found in the wild. A standard grey chinchilla is described as being grey to almost black coloring on the top/sides with a white belly. The white belly is key for a standard.
According to the Mutation Chinchillas Breeders Association (MCBA); standard greys can be categorized by phases-light, light/medium, medium, medium/dark, dark, dark/medium and extra dark.
Like any other color, a standard can be ‘off color’ and/or oxidize causing a reddish brown color to appear on the top of the fur. The belly can also be ‘off color’ causing it to look yellow, dull or light grey. These are just some of the traits that breeders look to cull (remove) from their herds. These animals are often sold as pets. When breeding is done properly, the ‘standard grey’ chinchilla should be the foundation of any herd as it is the biggest tool at our disposal. Often standards are used to strengthen faults found in other mutations.
Mutations- this term is used to describe ANY color other than standard grey
Share a picture of your standard gray in the comments!
Pictures from chinchillas.com
According to the Mutation Chinchillas Breeders Association (MCBA); standard greys can be categorized by phases-light, light/medium, medium, medium/dark, dark, dark/medium and extra dark.
Like any other color, a standard can be ‘off color’ and/or oxidize causing a reddish brown color to appear on the top of the fur. The belly can also be ‘off color’ causing it to look yellow, dull or light grey. These are just some of the traits that breeders look to cull (remove) from their herds. These animals are often sold as pets. When breeding is done properly, the ‘standard grey’ chinchilla should be the foundation of any herd as it is the biggest tool at our disposal. Often standards are used to strengthen faults found in other mutations.
Mutations- this term is used to describe ANY color other than standard grey
Share a picture of your standard gray in the comments!
Pictures from chinchillas.com