Class Pet

In non-hike related news, our class chinchilla is in the height of puberty.  A few weeks ago, I first noticed him putting a boy part of his body in his mouth.  I was horrified and reflexively hit the cage and yelled at him to stop - terrible foreshadowing for if I ever have to raise teenage boys.  I thought it was because he was bored after his exercise wheel was broken.  I bought a new wheel, but the problem continued.  Now, whenever I put my hand in his cage he goes straight for it attempting to hump it.  This makes me feel all sorts of violated.  After a pretty disturbing episode of hand-humping, I decided to give him a friend.  I put a small stuffed Shrek toy in his cage.  Which he proceeded to throw around with his mouth and hump for 10 minutes off and on.  So far none of the kids has noticed or asked about his new behavior.  Thank goodness Chinchillas are most active at night.

I'm considering having him neutered, but this is an expensive and dangerous undertaking on a small exotic pet.  I have read that this type of behavior slows down after they exit adolescence.  In two weeks we have Spring Break.  I have typically sent him home with a family over the holidays.  I suppose I need to confess this to any family interested.  Sheesh.