Which of the two recognized living *Chinchilla* species is most commonly found in domestic settings?
Answer
The long-tailed chinchilla (*Chinchilla lanigera*)
The genus *Chinchilla* is recognized as containing two distinct living species. These are the long-tailed chinchilla, scientifically named *Chinchilla lanigera*, and the short-tailed chinchilla, *Chinchilla brevicaudata*. Of these two species, the text specifically notes that the long-tailed variety is the one most frequently encountered today, particularly in domestic or pet settings, implying that this species is the primary source for companion animals.
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