Vanjonack, W. J., Johnson, H. D. 1973. Relationship of thyroid and adrenal function to fur-chewing in the chinchilla. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 45, 115-120.

The fur-chewing chinchillas showed increased thyroid activity (P < 0·5), increased adrenalcortical function (P < 0·05) and decreased rectal temperature (P < 0·01). This study suggested that increased endocrine activity could be due to the loss of insulation over the fur-chewed areas. It is possible, however, that endocrine activity could be a stimulus for fur-chewing. It is also possible that fur-chewing can be initiated or its incidence increased by “non-specific stressors’.