Common Degu
Octodon degus
About
The common degu is a small rodent endemic to Central Chilie. The are closely related to Chinchillas and Guinea pigs. The word degu comes from the indigenous language of Chile, Mapudungun, and the word dewü, meaning ‘mouse’ or ‘rat’.
The common degu is a small animal with a body length of 25.0 to 31.0 cm and a weight of 170 to 400 g. It has yellow-brown fur above and UV reflective creamy-yellow below, with yellow around the eyes and a paler band around the neck. It has a long, thin tail with a tufted, black tip (they are sometimes called ‘brush tailed rats’ although they are not rats!), dark sparsely furred ears, and pale grey toes. Its fifth toe is small with a nail, rather than a claw, on the fore feet. Its hind feet are bristled. Its cheek teeth are shaped like figures-of-eight, hence the degu’s genus name Octodon (eight teeth).
Degus are very social animals and are diurnal (awake during the day). In the wild, degus live together in quite small groups consisting of roughly 2-5 females and 1-2 males , nesting in burrows they dig. They are ‘prey’ animals and so are constantly on the lookout for danger. They will often take it in turns being on lookout.
Degus are not a threatened species (classified as of least concern by the UN), but they are in decline due to deforestation and farming practices (pesticides).
Scientific classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Octodontidae |
| Genus: | Octodon |
| Species: | O. degus |
Get in touch
Totally Degu is always available for any questions you may have about degu behaviour or care. If you want to ask about degus, degu care, degu mysteries, or anything else, don’t hesitate in reaching out.
Further info
The best site for all degu knowledge is: Degutopia.co.uk
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