The Family Abrocomidae, commonly known as chinchilla rats, is a small group of rodents native to the Andes mountains of South America. These medium-sized, herbivorous rodents are adapted to rocky, high-altitude environments, with dense fur for insulation and strong limbs for climbing. They are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular and live in burrows or rock crevices, feeding on leaves, stems, and seeds. Abrocomids are social to varying degrees and play an important role in their ecosystems by dispersing plant material and serving as prey for local predators. Their unique adaptations make them an interesting example of high-altitude rodent evolution.