Octodon degus
ExploreMammals
Octodon degus
Octodon degus
Degus are small, friendly rodents that love to play and explore. They have soft fur and big eyes, making them adorable pets. They enjoy living in groups and are very social animals!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Octodon degus has a compact body covered in brownish-yellow to grey-brown fur, with a paler cream belly. It features relatively large ears, short limbs, and a long tail tipped with a black tuft, distinguishing it from other rodents.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyOctodontidaeGenusOctodon
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Wow! Baby degus are born with open eyes and fur, ready to explore their world!
Wow! Degus cannot eat sugary foods because their bodies don't process it well, making them unique!
Wow! Degus make tiny "solar panels" in their skin to get Vitamin D from sunlight!
Wow! Their name "degu" means "rat-fox" in a native language because of their long tails!
Special abilities
Ability
Tail Defender
Octodon degus can shed its tail if grabbed, like a lizard, which helps them escape from predators.
Ability
Sunlight Vision
Octodon degus has special eyes that can see ultraviolet light, helping them find food and recognize others.
Ability
Home Builder
Octodon degus can dig complex burrow systems with many tunnels and chambers, providing safe homes for their families.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 12-20 cm
- Weight
- 0.17-0.3 kg
- Lifespan
- 1-8 years
- Top Speed
- 15 km/h
- Litter Size
- 3-8
- Gestation
- 90 days
Diet & Feeding
These plant-eating rodents munch on leaves, grasses, and seeds found in their dry habitats.
Primary Foods
- Grasses
- Leaves
- Seeds
- Roots
- Bark
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Andean Fox
Lycalopex culpaeus
A key predator, hunting degus in their habitat.
eaten by
Magellanic Horned Owl
Bubo magellanicus
This large owl preys on degus during its nightly hunts.
eats
Rescue brome
Bromus catharticus
Degus primarily graze on this common grass species.
eats
Spiny Mulinum
Mulinum spinosum
They forage on the leaves and stems of this native shrub.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Also known as
Degu
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always wash your hands after playing with pets like degus.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Octodon degus?
12-20 cm
How much does Octodon degus weigh?
0.17-0.3 kg
How long does Octodon degus live?
1-8 years
How fast can Octodon degus move?
15 km/h
What does Octodon degus eat?
These plant-eating rodents munch on leaves, grasses, and seeds found in their dry habitats.
Where is Octodon degus usually found?
Grasslands
How does Octodon degus hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Octodon degus usually have?
3-8
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