Mutation Monday (a day late lol)
Violet chinchillas have been known by many names and have often been referred to as lilac or lavender. However, while these names are catchy, they are more widely known by breeders as the Sullivan Violet, Afro Violet, or German Violet. Whatever name you want to call it, Violets are characterized by a grey-purple coat and white belly. The violet gene is known as a recessive gene, requiring both parents to carry the gene to produce a violet. According to Tara of Sunset Chinchillas, “They should have an even color and fur texture with a bright, crisp white belly. Ideally they will be a violet color and not a dove grey." While the most recognized in the United States is the Afro Violet, the German Violet can be found overseas or out of some blue diamond lines. It is believed that the german and afro are 2 separate mutations of the violet gene, this has not been confirmed that I am aware of.
The violet chinchilla first appeared on a ranch in Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe. Loyd Sullivan was a rancher from Oakhurst, California in 1960 and saw these different looking chinchillas. He quickly purchased the entire herd and was able to bring it back to the United States. In 1967, Loyd Sullivan showed the first Violet chinchillas. By this point, he had renamed them the “Sullivan Violet”. In the late 1980’s, Fred Duggins imported a pair of Violets into the United Chinchilla Kingdom
Violet chinchillas have been known by many names and have often been referred to as lilac or lavender. However, while these names are catchy, they are more widely known by breeders as the Sullivan Violet, Afro Violet, or German Violet. Whatever name you want to call it, Violets are characterized by a grey-purple coat and white belly. The violet gene is known as a recessive gene, requiring both parents to carry the gene to produce a violet. According to Tara of Sunset Chinchillas, “They should have an even color and fur texture with a bright, crisp white belly. Ideally they will be a violet color and not a dove grey." While the most recognized in the United States is the Afro Violet, the German Violet can be found overseas or out of some blue diamond lines. It is believed that the german and afro are 2 separate mutations of the violet gene, this has not been confirmed that I am aware of.
The violet chinchilla first appeared on a ranch in Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe. Loyd Sullivan was a rancher from Oakhurst, California in 1960 and saw these different looking chinchillas. He quickly purchased the entire herd and was able to bring it back to the United States. In 1967, Loyd Sullivan showed the first Violet chinchillas. By this point, he had renamed them the “Sullivan Violet”. In the late 1980’s, Fred Duggins imported a pair of Violets into the United Chinchilla Kingdom