The degu

Octodon (degu)

Family (group): Rodent / spp. Octodon

Standards:
Weight: male: 170-200 g, female: 170 to 300 g
Length: 18-30 cm (including tail)
Longevity: 6-15 years

Color admitted:
- Agouti
- Albino

Playful and curious, the degu is a fascinating animal to discover. It is important to know that this is not necessarily an animal that is suitable for all. Indeed, because of its energy, it can sometimes be difficult to handle. Unlike the rat who likes to spend hours glued to you or balanced on a shoulder, the degu often prefers exploring its surroundings. Having a secure room for him offers him best exercise, but we should expect it to nibble the furniture. It can become very attached to his master and loves having its ears petted. The Degu is a gregarious animal that lives in large groups in the wild. It has a highly developed vocabulary, do not be surprised if you hear them talking to each other and even try to communicate with you!

This rodent generally has a good health, but some problems can still affect it. Here are the most common;

- Respiratory infection: difficulty in breathing, sneezing, runny eyes or nose can be a sign of a respiratory infection. The condition must be taken seriously because his condition may deteriorate pretty fast if the animal does not receive appropriate medication.
- Malocclusion
- Naked tail
- Parasitism
- Meteorism: significant accumulation of gases and liquids in the digestive system.
- Abscess / cyst / tumor
- Alopecia
- Diabetes
- Cataract

Note: Never take your degus by its tail, the skin may slough off. It is not only painful, but the risk of deadly infections are very important if nothing is done to treat the animal.