For those of you that love chichillas and want to learn the history of how chinchillas came from the Andes Mountains to your home, you may want to check out  Bowens chinchilla Museum in Anza California.Thanks to the many contributors from all around the nation and even around the world they claim to have managed to amass what has to be the best collection of historical chinchilla and chinchilla ranching memorabilia found anywhere!

At the museum you can check out the crate M.F. Chapman used to bring the first 11 chinchillas down from the Andes mountains in Chile to the U.S. in 1923 and some silly stuff like a chinchilla comb designed for your chin to comb herself! While you are there you can check out their award winning herd and even pick up a new chin to add to the family! Gary and Margot Neubaue, the mueseum owners, are also the proud owners of the largest and oldest  chinchilla ranch in the United states. A quote from their site says, "These chins are literally among the "best of the best" and in the hands of a serious breeder, they are the tools that can improve the species."

They purchased their first pair of chins in  1946 for a whooping $3,200,and you thought your chinchilla was expensive!

Here is a link to their website

http://www.bowenschinchillas.com/ 

I am trying to get an interview from them so stay tuned for more news and hopefully some expert tips from true chinchilla experts!