Chinchilla Behavior

Question
I adopted a 3 yr. old male chin from a women who couldn't take care of him anymore. I've had him for almost 1 month, but his behavior has changed in the last 1 or 2 weeks. At night he used to run on his wheel. But now when he wakes up all his does is sit in his cage for hours or lie in his wheel-I don't see him running on it anymore. He's pretty active and "normal" once I let him out to play, and I usually let him run around for at least 30-45 min a day, but once I put him back in his cage he just goes and lies on his side in his wheel again or crouches under his ramps, even though I've put a hammock, hanging toy, and chew toys in his cage. Sometimes when I let him play near his cage with the door open, he'll just go back to his cage and lie in his wheel without me putting him back. Do you think he's lonely or bored? I know he used to have a cagemate, but the previous owner told me his cagemate died and I'm pretty sure he's been a single chin for the last 1 or 2 years of his life. Should I get him another chin for a companion?

Answer
Dear Christine,
thank you for your question.
Chinchillas are very social and should be kept at least in pairs (of their own sex). So it's definitely possible that your chin is lonely, even if he didn't show it before. I think he may have behaved differently for the first two weeks because his new home was exciting enough to keep him interested and active, but know he's gotten used to everything and misses the company of another chinchilla.

It's better if both cinchillas are of the same age, the introduction will be much easier, so I recommend checking rescue organizations and shelters for chinchillas.
http://www.chincare.com/ has information that will help with finding a chinchilla for adoption near you as well as very good info on general chinchilla care.

There can be medical reasons for his listless behaviour, so it's a good idea to get a clean bill of health from a good chinchilla vet first, though. These websites list good vets:
www.chinchillaclub.com/vets/index.html
http://www.geocities.com/chinchillaville/vets.html
http://www.chin.buffnet.net/chinvets.html

I hope I was of some help to you
Jennifer