Part 1 in Chinchilla Series-General Information and History

Many people have seen their little faces in the cages at pet stores; their squirrel like bodies, bottle brush tail, long whiskers, and seemingly-too big for their body-ears running around the cage. Children run up to the cage and most adults are attracted too. Then they are turned off by the little knowledge available and the sometimes hefty price tag attached to the little critters. These mysterious little rodents are Chinchillas. They are related to domesticated guinea pigs and the large wild Capybara, but their exact evolutionary link still eludes scientists.

In the wild chinchilla’s would have roamed the Andes Mountain Range.They live in desert-like areas that receive very little rainfall and have very little vegetation. Chinchillas live in colonies of 20 to 100 members, usually with familial ties to each other. Their gestation period is approximately 111 days, with one or two young born with eyes open and fully furred, unlike other rodents who are born with eyes closed and no fur. These new arrivals would become part of a colony of 20 to 100 members, their nests made in the crevices of rocks and burrows in larger plants.

These wild colonies were situated on the western side of the Andes Mountain Range in South America. Wild Chinchilla populations were found in what is now Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia. Most of the colonies were on the northern-facing slopes. The area is desert-like with very little rain fall and vegetation. Perhaps this is why modern day Chinchilla’s like to search and scrounge for food. Their ancestors would have had to find food where other animals couldn’t survive. They receive most of their water from the dew left from the early morning on plants and rocks. Their body is able to function off of that and the moisture found in the plants they choose to eat.

The name Chinchilla derives from the Chincha tribe. These people would use the Chinchilla for food, clothing, blankets and pets. After the Chinchas were conquered they were forbidden to wear Chinchilla furs and only the Inca royalty who had ruled them wore the furs. The incoming Spanish found the little critters and started bringing the luxurious furs to Spain. This was the start of the Atlantic fur trade; which paved the way for explorers later on in history bringing the tiny creatures into the United States.  

BEO Lurgan - Some Nights cover le Fun as Gaeilge, Is í an Ghaeilge an teanga mo chroí!

Reflection on Class 414

       Walking into the class room on the first day, I had no idea what a Zine was. Now I have produced many of my own and have learned to love the process. Everyone in the class has different strengths, and all of us love seeing those played out. And we all have our weaknesses, with which the others all help to iron out and make smooth.
        I was hesitant at first, I had no idea what a Zine was, what Zine culture was or even how to set up and run this blog. But I took a deep breath, and tried anyways. Because that is what this culture and class is all about-trying out new ideas and working on your own craft mostly independently but also in conjunction with others. I feel that this class, English 414 best exemplifies the Zine culture. No two of us are alike, and yet we all support one another in our work. I feel that our class has provided me with the authentic Zine experience even better than Zinefest did.
        I have really enjoyed learning about self publishing, and loved seeing my work put into book form. This experience has made me realize that I really want be a published author and to have my work put out into the world for people to enjoy.