In fact, they only have a few basic sounds. Because of a rich variation in melody and loudness, chins thus have a distinct language. If you listen to their sounds attentively, you'll recognize a high similarity to human sounds and emotions.

Ecologically spoken, chins are pure booty animals. This circumstance is also reflected in their sounds. In dangerous situations, chins warn each other by using characteristic barking sounds. They also use special sounds for fear and pain.

During 18 years (the age of my oldest chins), I carefully watched their behaviour and their sounds, which I want to present below:

Contact- and Communication Sounds
Mating Sounds
Baby Sounds
Protest- and Defence Sounds
Rage and Anger
Warning- and Alarm Calls (barking chins)
Chewing and Gnawing

Annotation: Some of the sounds described on this page are very seldom made by a chinchilla and it is not easy to record it with a microphone. Therefore, some sound-clips are still missing. In addition, please keep in mind that every chin has its own personality!!! Some chins are much talkative, others are less. Usually, a pair of chins uses to make much more sounds than a single one (to whom should a lonely chin talk either?).