(above, counterclockwise: Veruka, Gunter, Ivanka, and Grogu!)
On April 5th, Chinchillas.com's popular 'Veruka' delivered four new kits. The first, a pink white Royal Persian Angora male, was 1.8 ounces and sadly, stillborn. The second kit was a healthy 1.8 ounce beige Royal Persian Angora male. The third born was a healthy 1.5 ounce pink white Royal Persian Angora female. Veruka then went on to deliver a very small 1.1 ounce pink white Royal Persian Angora male. The smallest kit was born with no hair on his ears and very little hair on his tail. Despite having an attentive mother and a father who worked hard to keep him warm, he quickly dropped down to .9 ounces. Chinchilla kits under an ounce are very hard to save. After a few days, Grogu's mother and brother decided to cast him out. With no one to keep him warm, Grogu was having a difficult time maintaining his body temperature - fluctuating into and out of hypothermia. He was moved inside and given a small box lined with cotton towels, and put (carefully) near a heating pad. He was given goat's milk until he could gain enough strength to maintain his body temperature, and at two weeks of age he was accepted by a good nurse mother. At this time, Grogu is growing and healthy, weighing 2.3 ounces at two weeks of age. As 'Grogu' attempts to defy the odds, we hope for his survival.
Update - as of December 30th, Grogu is happy, healthy and doing great! He has finally caught up to his siblings in weight. They are 1 lb 5 oz, 1 lb 7.5 oz, and 1 lb 5 oz respectively.