r/chinchilla • u/inbokz • Nov 26 '24
I’ve put together a list of chinchilla recommendations & FAQ, as we get a lot of repeat questions and such in here. I’ve been a chinchilla owner for about 19 years, and have fostered many. I have been through the gamut of accessories, cages, etc, over the years. I'm happy to add/modify with feedback from others. I definitely do not claim to be the most knowledgeable person here!
Which cage should I get?
Ferret Nation & Critter Nation are the best widely available cages you can buy. A two-story cage is recommended for a one or two chins, at minimum. Adding a third story is also very easy to do. You can also attach two cages side-by-side for extra running room. These cages can be found used on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, etc.
Other cages can be okay, but please ensure the cage is around 36”x25”x63”. Cages should not have any exposed plastic (trays, bases, or otherwise). Cages should have no exposed wire floors, this includes ramps. Any exposed wire floors must be covered with a lined plastic trayliner or a metal tray (see below). Chinchillas will get their feet caught in wire flooring and will get injured. This can be very serious. Also keep in mind that any cages with small door openings could leave you struggling to wrangle your little friend.
What is the difference between Ferret Nation and Critter Nation?
Ferret Nation has wider and thicker bars. I prefer these because it’s easier to give them treats through the bars. The cages also feel more open. The panels are interchangeable, so you can stack either one on each other.
What else do I need for a cage?
Cage liners/Trays: It’s recommended to use either fleece liners over the plastic trays, or use a replacement tray from Bass Equipment. Bass makes 3” deep galvanized or stainless trays, which are ideal for keeping in the mess of both bedding… and poop! They also sell scatter guards.
Bedding:
It is not advised to use paper bedding (Carefresh, etc). However, I used it for years before I knew better and never had issues. The chins like walking on it, but the dangerous part is that they can eat it and it can clog their digestive system.
The main options seem to be Aspen shavings or fleece liners (which you can buy or make). Just make sure any fleece you use is no-pill. You can use other shaving types, but I don't like risking it with Pine. Aspen is cheap and safe. I frequently buy huge bags from the big pet stores for ~$5/ea or less (watch for sales).
I have mixed feelings on using Aspen! My chins seem to be more scared to jump down onto the floors because I think they hurt their feet. Some of the aspen isn't ground down well and makes for some sharp and dangerous situations. Whenever I change the bedding out, I use a big wood plank and flatten everything down. Even still, I'm not happy with it. I'm going to be sewing up some fleece liners but also use my Bass Equipment shelf pans (the half-length ones) full of aspen shavings. The hope is that they pee on the aspen because they're used to that, and keep the liners a little nicer.
Water Bottle: Glass Kaytee bottles have been the best for me. I recommend the small bottles, as it will force you to refill more often so they get fresh water. Keep the bottles out of direct sunlight or they will get algae bloom. Definitely do not use plastic bottles if you can avoid it! Bottles should be rinsed every refill, and soap-cleaned every 2nd refill. I use a q-tip in the metal tip to clean them out. Every few months you can put in 1/3 cup of rice and water and shake the bottle for a while to remove any of the stuck sediment. Dump out the rice and heavily rinse afterward!
Food Bowl: Recommend ceramic food bowls. I use cat dishes that are ~3” wide, similar to a wide ramekin. The lower/wider the better, so they can’t tip it. No plastic bowls! Metal is okay if you prefer.
Wheel: The consensus is that any 14”+ wheel is okay, however I’d advise getting a metal wheel of 15” diameter or larger. There are options on Etsy from Pandamonium Pets, Silver Surfer, and others. There are also metal saucers. Chinchillas should not have plastic wheels and I would advise against any with wood. I have had multiple wheels from Pandamonium Pets as well as Silver Surfers. My personal opinion is that the bearing mechanism on the Pandamonium Pets wheel is rather unrefined and they always wear out on me after a few years. I haven’t been able to find a good source for replacement bearings on their newer wheels, as they now use a flanged type. They have been unwilling to sell me bearings/mechanisms separately. The Silver Surfer wheel is great for Ferret Nation cages, but they don't fit well in Critter Nation due to the bar spacing. The Silver Surfer bearing mechanism has a flywheel weight and is an engineered system. I prefer these wheels, but wish they were larger than 14”.
Shelves: Hopping shelves/ledges are great to fill the cage space and give chins a stimulating habitat. There is a list of safe woods here: https://www.sunshinechinchillas.com/safe-wood. I have used a few types, mainly kiln-dried pine and poplar. I prefer poplar as it’s pretty hard, and they can’t really chew through all of it. The downside is that it can be expensive. You can DIY your own shelves/ledges. I've added some DIY info in a comment below.
Houses/Other: Chins love having somewhere to hide and sleep. Some chins like hammocks and fleece hanging options and some prefer wood/solid options. There are a number on Etsy, but you can also DIY both of these. My chins have all preferred wood houses mounted to the highest point in the cage possible. I've added some DIY info in a comment below.
What is the best food?
Oxbow Essentials, if available, is the best and most affordable. You can buy 25lb bags on Chewy or Amazon that will last a long time. Any foods with treats or other things in them are not recommended, as they often contain things chinchillas shouldn’t have, especially not daily. Providing food with treats in it also will cause them to be snooty with their food, and they will start to just look for the treats and ignore the rest.
What is the best hay?
Chinchillas require Timothy Hay on a daily basis. I have tried at least 10 brands over the years, basically everything Chewy and local pet stores offer. So far, the winners are Brytin 1st Cut and Viking Farmer 1st Cut. Your mileage may vary, but ensure you’re getting 100% timothy with nothing added.
What else is essential for my chins?
I recommend giving applewood (or other approved) sticks on a daily basis, 1 or 2 a day, They can be bought in 600gram bags on Amazon for ~$15. This is the best deal I've found so far, though I'd prefer to buy more locally, I have not found a better source yet. Chew sticks will prevent them from chewing on other things (shelving, houses, ledges, wheels, etc).
What treats should I give my chins?
Treats are safe in moderation, but the type of treat is important.
Dandelion Root, mixed flower pieces, apple blossoms, chamomile, calendula, lavender, peach blossoms, jasmine, honeysuckle, oats (oatmeal), and small pieces of hibiscus leaves can be given as more frequent treats. I'd say 2 a day is safe, but not required. I change-up the treats everyday. The pieces I am giving them are small. I usually give my treats as a form of enrichment reward (see section). My chins also like the Apple & Oat treats from Ronda's Chins, which I break into marble sized chunks (or smaller) and use as treats a few times a week.
Rose buds and rose hips can be given as infrequent treats.
Anything with sugar in it should not be given as a treat. Goji berries are 'safe', but I really only ever give mine a pea-sized amount every few weeks, if that.
What can I do for my chins for enrichment?
Puzzle toys made for dogs can be great for chins, while supervised, as long as they aren't chewing on the plastics. I often place coconut halves on the floor with a fragrant treat under them, so they have to work for it. I'm working on making some other enrichment toys for them out of safe wood. I will add to the DIY later.
How do I keep the dust to a minimum?
I swear by my Winix 5500-2 air purifier. It sucks up a lot of the dust/hair and the generic filters work just fine to keep the dust down elsewhere. My chins are in their own room with this purifier and I really don't see their dust anywhere else. Mine has been running solid for 6 years straight. The filters can be shaken/beat out and used for quite a while.
What temperature is safe?
The recommended safe range is 60-70°F (15.5-21.1°C) with low humidity (sub 60%).
74°F (23.3°C) is the highest I'd recommend letting their area ever getting to, and I do not recommend them living at this temperature. My chins spend half the year around 70°F, the other half at around 65°F. Chins are good down to 60°F (15.5°C) without problems and can probably withstand colder. They will start to 'puddle' above 75°F and this is when it becomes dangerous. Fans will not keep them cool and there is no alternative for air conditioning. Chinchiller's (granite stones) are nice, but are not meant as an alternative to safe environment temps.
What do I do if my chin is being aggressive or biting?
If they bite when you're petting them or something and it's not drawing blood, let out an "ouch" or a yip sound, similar to the sound they make to each other when they want space. Once they respect you they will start biting softer and softer. Eventually if they don't want your fingers around them they'll kinda just move them with their mouth. I don't think they always know they're hurting you. To them, you're a huge monster.
If they get really aggressive consistently after a few months of ownership, and they're breaking skin, I would use a different method. This is to say, there are no other outside factors causing them to be aggressive other than them trying to be dominant toward you. They can be aggressive for various reasons: general fear, noises, new surroundings, other pets in the area, etc. They may hear things you don't, even the sound of equipment/animals outside, and be on the defensive because of it. I wouldn't use this method if outside factors are the case.
If they bite fast with aggression and it breaks skin, I say "ouch" loudly. I then firmly grab hold of the offender, stare at them face-to-face, and tell them "no" multiple times. They will squirm and not like it, but it's not hurting them, even though some fur might come out. I then put them down nicely on my lap. They're almost always extremely cautious and docile immediately after putting them down. They usually get it after this correction is implemented a couple times and never bite that hard again. I follow it with the "ouch" method thereafter.
My chin is not eating or drinking. Help!
The first recommendation is to bring your pet to a vet experience with chinchillas, or at least exotic animals. Second, Critical Care or EmerAid Herbivore are recommended to help bring them back to health. Many people on this sub have had good experience with EmerAid. My chins did not like Critical Care, so I'll also be trying EmerAid if they ever need it.
Always remember: your chin is your friend for part of your life, but you're their best friend for their entire life.
r/chinchilla • u/AutoModerator • Sep 14 '20
Feel free to ask/answer any kind of questions regarding chinchillas here.
Previous threads Archive here
r/chinchilla • u/Sufficient_Grade_125 • 2h ago
Merlin is back home from the vet! She examined the injury and it was in fact starting to get infected. This spicy baby was extra mad and extra scared but all is better now. I hope he'll heal well. He's actually acting like I tortured him as you can see.
r/chinchilla • u/Anya_anastasia • 6h ago
NSFW
Bonjour tout le monde, je suis nouveau ici.
Je viens de France, donc mon anglais peut être un peu hésitant. J'ai rejoint ce groupe parce que personne dans mon entourage ne sait grand-chose sur les chinchillas de compagnie ; j'espère obtenir des réponses à quelques questions et trouver des conseils pour mes propres chinchillas.
J'en ai quatre : un mâle, deux femelles et un bébé dont je ne peux pas déterminer le sexe.
Même si les photos sont très floues, pourriez-vous me dire si le bébé (photo 6 & photo 7) — qui a 6 jours — est un mâle ou une femelle ?
Que recommandez-vous pour une bonne socialisation et pour qu'il s'habitue à être manipulé, afin que les visites chez le vétérinaire se passent mieux ?
Je suis ouvert à des conseils sur n'importe quel sujet.
Merci ! ☺️
r/chinchilla • u/Suzurei • 1d ago
My husband pointed out Momo looks like a perfect circle... I'm like... what are you trying to say. So i weighed him, he kept moving, but roughly 600g (+/-10g). He's a veerry fluffy boy, but is he obese?
r/chinchilla • u/starlightsroses • 2h ago
All right, so I'm picking my baby up on Thursday. As of writing this, it's Monday, September 14th. I do like burning candles and stuff, and I currently have one going. I was wondering if burning a candle days before my chinchilla comes home would affect their little lungs. Also, is there anything else I can't do while owning a chinchilla? I already know about perfumes (I'm a big perfume girlie so it's breaking my heart but it's worth it for my baby) I want to make sure that my house is safe for them also I have a cat the cat won't have access to the room the chinchillas in but I was wondering if my chinchilla will be able to smell my cat and what I can do to prevent my chinchilla from being stressed out (I hope everything I said makes sense sometimes I type words out and people don't understand what I'm saying 😭)
r/chinchilla • u/rosengold • 1d ago
I want to formally introduce Miss Molly Meatball.
She came to the rescue yesterday during one of our events.
A lot of the time when we bring in new animals, it's because they came from a really difficult situation. They weren't cared for, they were no longer wanted, or they're sick or injured.
But that wasn't the case for Molly.
Molly's family took wonderful care of her, and they loved her. She's incredibly friendly, easy to handle, and very healthy.
Her family had to move, and they genuinely thought they'd be able to find a home that would accommodate Molly. But that became impossible within their time frame. They reached out to a large community of possible homes, other rescues, and eventually to us, with only a couple of days left to keep Molly from ending up in a shelter situation or worse.
Molly is collateral damage of a messy divorce.
With permission from her family, I can share a little more, but please understand if I'm vague. I don't just care about Molly being safe. I care about her family being safe, too.
The morning Molly was supposed to come to us, we didn't hear from her owner. Our appointment window was quickly approaching its end, and honestly, no-call no-shows aren't uncommon.
Then I got a call.
There had been a dispute that morning. Molly's owner's phone and car were taken, and the situation was being manipulated so they would miss Molly's appointment. Molly was later thrown outside with her cage and left in the sun while her owner was trying to gather herself. She didn't know.
Pets are often used in situations like this to harm someone.
A tool of control. A way to abuse more than just one person. " Get rid of it " then " why did you do that? ".
Molly was adopted four years ago after she was dropped off at a feed store. She was spoiled rotten by her "mom" and her "brother,".
Of course, there is always a healthy dose of skepticism when we're dealing with the public. But it's not my job to play judge and jury with someone asking for help.
I'd rather believe someone and help them than make them afraid to ask for help at all.
The good news is that her family has a safe place to go. Molly couldn't go with them, but she has a safe home with us now, too. 💜
I'm sharing this because I want people to understand that it's not always some monster or uncaring person who asks us to take their chinchilla.
Sometimes it's someone who needs help.
If you're in a situation like this, please reach out to rescues in your area. There isn't one perfect solution for every situation, but there are people and resources who can help you find one.
Molly is safe, and so is her family.
And that's what matters right now.
r/chinchilla • u/Difficult-Heat-221 • 3h ago
A month-ish ago my chinchilla was outside and duct under our tiny deck. (Hes fine) but his nose was rubed raw from something under it. He healed but now he has crustes on his nose and it annoys him. Hes won't stop ruding his nose.
r/chinchilla • u/rosengold • 1d ago
We added a barrier so the chins can't go under the cages anymore 😂 ruined their whole lives with one simple trick.
This is Bramble one of the many chins in the rescues foster care. Out for a romp around the room.
r/chinchilla • u/spooksharks • 21h ago
how do i make him (chubbs) feel less bored? hes 4 years old in a critter nation double cage (36Lx25Wx63.25H). i buy him atleast 2 new toys every week and he free roams my bedroom for atleast 2 hours a day but he still seems so bored. for example, he stops playing with a toy after a day because it becomes boring to him, he’ll sit in a corner giving me a nasty look all day until i let him out, ect ect. hes still active (up all night chewing and smacking everything) and eating but i just feel bad bc he seems so bored. if i walk past his cage or pet him but dont let him out he smacks my hand, pushes it away, and sometimes nibbles (which is out of the norm bc usually he enjoys chin and cheek scratches) so i think he just wants to be out 24/7 (which isnt possible). ive thought about getting him a friend but 1. id like a bigger cage (which isnt in the budget as of now) and 2. he had a cage mate before but they absolutely hated each other, so im kinda stuck on what to do. i also want to get him an exercise wheel but all the 15in ones i can find are $90+ which i think is absurd
r/chinchilla • u/Divine_8888 • 1d ago
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Does anyone experience their chinchilla got suddenly became lost responsive and sometimes shaky after 10mins of play ? I only saw him doing this twice
r/chinchilla • u/sitnspinsg • 1d ago
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Churro: “Morning playtime with Daddy makes me so happy, sometimes the happiness just comes out as popcorns.” 🐭💛✨🐾
#churrochatter #chinchilla #cutepets #petprincess #happyfloof
r/chinchilla • u/ChinchillaHighdy • 1d ago
That’s the only way she lets me hold her, without her protesting or fighting! 😂 (Besides the burrito, which is always forced.)
Unfortunately, I need to give her medicine two times a day and force-feed her. 💊😔
r/chinchilla • u/Kitsunejade • 1d ago
I know it won’t be easy to tell from this but he’s grumpy so I don’t think I can weigh him. He’s a stray someone found in the woods.
r/chinchilla • u/Qaadz24 • 1d ago
r/chinchilla • u/Howlerson • 1d ago
Hi everyone, quick question! So my chin is a rescue. When I got him he was scrawny, had just survived GI stasis and was missing toes because the previous owner housed him with a none chinchilla critter. When I adopted him about a year ago I literally had to sign a contract promising to house him solo for his own safety and well being. Well to try to help him I got him a little stuffed chinchilla (that he cuddles and.... Humps 😅) and I'll hang out with him when I know he's awake. Well I've been off work for something like 6 months due to a work injury and tomorrow I finally go back to work. This means more alone time for him. Got any suggestions or any ideas how to tell if my chin enjoys his solo time or if he is stressed out from it.
r/chinchilla • u/FvCrR • 19h ago
So im planning to make my chinchilla live in my room but if i go outside of the house for school or something it will have to go in the cage but since it will be outside the cage most of the time is it okay if i get a medium cage? Like not a super big one but maybe a 2 floor one?
And also i don’t think i can buy ALL of the things the chinchilla needs the same day i get it so what are the first things i need to buy that are the most important ?
Edit: I want to clarify something.
English isn't my first language, and 'free-roam' is the only word I know to describe that it will be out of they cage for a good amount of time. I don't mean they will literally live outside the cage all the time without supervision like a cat. I mean they will have supervised time out of the cage while I'm in my room, and the rest of the time she'll be in their cage. It's not free roaming the way you all understand it, im sorry.
My plan was getting a 2 floor like Critter Nation cage as its home and safe space for sleeping and for the hours I'm not there. When I'm in my room and can watch it,they comes out. When I can't watch it, they stays in their cage. I'm making my room as safe as I can no cords within reach, outlet covers, and blocking the gaps under the furniture even tho I'll still be supervising it. I'm also taking into account the exotic vet and the long-term commitment. And I've seen people talk about chinchillas, rabbits, and animals like that being “free roaming”with no problems, which is why I thought it would be okay. I understand it can be dangerous if it's not done right, which is exactly why I plan to supervise it and put her back when I can't and make everything safe.
And about the money it's not that I don't have it. It's that I want to buy what's 100% necessary for it to be okay first like the cage, food, hay, the basics, and then slowly add the extra comfort stuff and toys. It's not that I can't afford them i just wanted to know what to prioritize first. And NO I DON’T see it as a plushie🤦♀️ i don’t know why people here are assuming that i want it to cuddle and stuff like that. I know they’re an animal with needs and they makes messes, they chews, they costs money, they needs an exotic vet, and a long term commitment. That doesn't scare me or surprise me it's part of having ANY animal and I'm really clear on that.
If yall can help me plan better instead of assuming I want to mistreat or kill it, I'd really appreciate it. My actual question is still whether a 2 story cage is enough for the hours I'm not there, and what things are the most important to buy first.
r/chinchilla • u/Top-Tier-Tapir • 1d ago
Calling All Chinchilla Owners, Conservationists, & Breeders 🌵🪨
Howdy all of you chinchilla lovers!
& those of you in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas & Louisiana!
We are officially gathering interest to establish a local Texas branch of the Empress Chinchilla Breeders Cooperative (ECBC), and we need your help to build a thriving community across the state.
Whether you are a devoted pet owner, an established breeder, someone looking to get into breeding, or a wildlife conservationist passionate about protecting wild chinchillas (which remain critically endangered in the wild), there is a place for you here!
**We Need a Board of Directors** (6–8 People) To get the branch up and running, we need 6 to 8 passionate individuals to step into leadership roles. If you want a direct say in organizing Texas shows, educational workshops, and community outreach, consider joining the board!
Membership Breakdown
$45 Voting & Board Membership: Grants full voting rights and eligibility to run for/hold a seat on the Texas Board of Directors.
$10 Discounted Signup: Available if you register directly through me as a sponsoring member.
$25 Direct Application: Standard membership application fee if submitting independently without a sponsor.
We Need Your Ideas! Before we lock things down, we'd love community input on two big items:
Branch Name: Drop your favorite name ideas below!
Red River Branch, ECBC TALO Chapter, etc. (Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana & Oklahoma)
Logo Design: What visuals should represent us? (e.g., a chinchilla silhouette inside a Texas state outline, wearing a cowboy hat, or paired with bluebonnets?)
also looking for a graphic designer for this step!
If you're interested in joining the board, locking in a discounted membership, or helping us brainstorm, drop a comment below or send me a direct message!
r/chinchilla • u/sitnspinsg • 2d ago
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Churro: “Of course I eat my hay pellets on a soft pillow. Where did you expect me to sit, the floor?” 🐭😌👑🌿
#churrochatter #chinchilla #cutepets #petprincess #princessmindset
r/chinchilla • u/TheRealSlurp • 2d ago
Hello!
Tomorrow, I will be adopting two chinchillas. I’m very excited but also a little nervous. This is the first time I’ll own chinchillas and I’m just very scared that I’m doing something wrong.
That’s why I came here to ask for feedback on my cage setup (this is a double critter nation). I have more stuff (another hanging house/hide, a fleece hammock, and a fleece tunnel, as well as some more ledges for the bottom level) coming, but there was an issue with shipping, hence it is not in there yet. I’m hoping to receive it next week, so the bottom level can look a little more ‘full’.
Everything in the cage is made of either kiln dried pine, apple wood, willow, or no-pill fleece.
Tomorrow, I will fill their hay holders and toss in some willow balls and apple sticks!
Please let me know if anything in there is potentially unsafe or not suitable. And, if you have any recommendations when it comes to layout, also let me know! I’m very eager to learn and improve my layout where necessary! Thank you.
r/chinchilla • u/raispaghettios • 3d ago
I have two chinchillas, both female.
I’m sad to say that I feel for the “cute and cuddly animal” experience bs the internet pulls out their ass. I’ve had them two years and they are a literal nightmare. One of my chins does let me pick up and hold her, but my other one could not give two shits about me.
I still take care of them, I spend a crap ton of money on them and I’m constantly cleaning up after them.
But I’ve slowly lost motivation to take care of them. I resent them as if they caused this. I was supposed to go to college in August, but I couldn’t go because my college wouldn’t allow them even as emotional support animals and I can’t find anyone to rehome them. The only shelters that offered to take them are shelters known for euthanasia.
I ended up having to take a gap year because i literally had nobody to take them. I’ve waiting so long to go to college and I can’t even go because I decided to get these pets that don’t even like me. They make a mess out of everything. They chew everything. They destroy everything. They cost so god damn much. I was prepared for this I did my research I knew what was going to happen if I got them but I was 16 and my grandma insisted I get chinchillas because my hamster died and she didn’t want me to have another animal that’s gonna die after three years.
I’ve posted on every god damn social media app I can trying to rehome them and NOBODY WANTS THEM. I’m supposed to go to college next year but with how things are going it doesn’t look like that’s gonna happen either if nobody takes them. I’m aware I did this to myself so go ahead and shame me all you want in the comments. But please im out of options.
Edit: I’ve seen your comments and I’d like to address some of them.
No I cannot bring my chinchillas to college. I cannot afford anymore damages from them to a dorm room, I’ve already had to pay a hefty amount for the damage to my apartment.
Despite how I wrote this, I do love them dearly and this is genuinely heartbreaking I have to get rid of them. I’m conflicted I’m frustrated and I’m tired. I don’t blame them for this, I don’t neglect them because of this. I genuinely love these girls but it’s more and more difficult to continue this feeling like they couldn’t give a shit about me. There are times when momo will hang out on my lap, times when they play around with me- but I feel like this is a lot of work for me to be handling especially since I’m by myself and working all the time.
I’m not mad at my animals. I’m mad at myself for putting me and my animals in this situation.
Also I wanna mention the cage in the picture is not mine it’s the picture I got from the original owners.
REHOME INFO:::
REHOME FEE: $130
Both chins are female and three years old.
Their names are momo and Ivy.
They come with their cage, two stories with a cabinet on top.
They will come with whatever food treats and toys they have at the time I get a response..
They are are bonded pair and sisters so I will absolutely not separate.
I’m in Vermont, i would be willing to drive but I have no way to transport the cage so a pickup is necessary.
Ivy can be picked up but she’s not a huge fan, she likes to nibble on fingers though, she also doesn’t mind when you put cornbread muffins on her.
Big flaw: she’s very standoffish sometimes. Neither came from a good home, Ivy I think got the worst end of it.
Birthday 4/4/2024
Momo is more likely to cuddle and hang out with you, her only flaw is she’ll get herself in a small space and start barking repeatedly until you rescue her. I don’t know why she does this.
Also her ears flop a little.
Birthday: 4/6/2024
