Sarahmee - Chinchilla Les poilus - Radio Canada

Sarahmée Discovers the Softest Fur in the World

Some animal encounters are full of surprises. That is exactly what happened during a segment featuring Sarahmée alongside host Dr. Sébastien Kfoury. For the occasion, Sébastien had prepared a trio of adorable animals for Sarahmée to meet. Among them was one of Educazoo’s most popular animal ambassadors: Crevette the chinchilla.

As a big fan of furry animals, Sarahmée was intrigued to meet this small mammal with its unique appearance. However, at first glance, she had the same reaction many people do: with its large ears and compact body, a chinchilla can resemble a giant mouse. But it only took a few moments for her to completely change her mind.

See the segment here


A Softness That's Hard to Believe

The moment Sarahmée touched Crevette, she immediately understood why chinchillas are so popular. Chinchillas have the densest and softest fur in the animal kingdom. This incredible adaptation allows them to survive in the sometimes cold and harsh conditions of the Andes Mountains in South America.

Their fur is so dense that it provides excellent protection against temperature changes. For many people meeting a chinchilla for the first time, the sensation is difficult to describe. Sarahmée quickly discovered that a chinchilla is nothing like a mouse! Its calm temperament and natural gentleness quickly earned her trust.
 

An Animal That Bathes in Dust

One of the facts that surprised Sarahmée the most was the way chinchillas care for their fur. Unlike many other mammals, they do not bathe in water.

In the wild, chinchillas use dust or sand baths to keep their coats clean and healthy. This behavior helps remove excess moisture and keeps their fur in excellent condition.
 

A Personality as Charming as Its Fur

Throughout the segment, Crevette demonstrated why he is one of Educazoo’s favorite animal ambassadors. Curious, calm, and accustomed to educational encounters, he allowed Sarahmée to discover the full personality of his species.

Joanie also explained why chinchillas are transported in specially designed carriers that recreate a comforting environment for them. Since this species naturally lives on the ground and appreciates secure spaces, this method helps keep them comfortable during travel.

There is also a practical advantage: a chinchilla can produce between 200 and 300 small droppings every day! Let's just say it's best to be well prepared when traveling with one.
 

Discover Before You Judge

For more than 25 years, Educazoo has been dedicated to bringing people closer to biodiversity through educational, safe, and memorable encounters. The meeting between Sarahmée and Crevette is a perfect example of that mission.What initially looked like a giant mouse quickly became a fascinating, gentle, and lovable animal.

It just goes to show that when we take the time to discover a species and better understand it, misconceptions often disappear very quickly. And in Crevette’s case, just a few seconds of petting were enough to win everyone over.