Where is the degu live?

Degus are native to northern and central Chile and can be found living at high elevations (1,200m) in the Andes mountain range. They're also diurnal animals which means they're active during the day and sleep at night.

1. Where is a degu from?
2. Where can you get a degu?
3. Is a degus a rat?
4. Is a degu a good pet?
5. Is a degu a chinchilla?
6. Do degus smell bad?
7. How do you deal with a degu?
8. How do you calm a degu?
9. Can a degu live with a guinea pig?
10. Do degu bites hurt?
11. How do degus mate?
12. Can degu live alone?
13. How big does a degu get?

Where is a degu from?

Originating from Chile, you can find degus anywhere from coastal plains to the Andes mountains. They live in groups of up to 100 in complex burrows which have nests and food stores.

Where can you get a degu?

Private breeders are probably the best way to buy degus. You can find these breeders by scanning the classifieds in your local newspaper, check out the “for sale” ads on buy-and-sell sites, check out forums specialized in degus, or join groups on Facebook to find degu breeders in your area.

Is a degus a rat?

The word degu comes from the indigenous language of Chile, Mapudungun, and the word dewü, meaning 'mouse' or 'rat'. The animal may be kept as a pocket pet, though there are prohibitions on their ownership in some territories. As a pet, the animal is larger than a golden hamster but smaller than a fancy rat.

Is a degu a good pet?

A degu can make an excellent pet for older children and adults. Degus are social animals that can be tamed easily and will form a bond with you. Contrary to most pocket pets, like hamsters and chinchillas, the degu is active during the day. It can also adjust it's sleeping habits to your own lifestyle.

Is a degu a chinchilla?

The degu is a small caviomorph rodent that originates from Chile. They're a distant relative of the chinchilla and guinea pig. Degus are said to be a social animal, thus making them the ideal pet for your home.

Do degus smell bad?

So, do Degus smell? They do, but while noticeable, their smell is innocuous, and they smell far less than other rodents such as Hamsters. Like with all animals that are kept in cages, any foul odors often depend on the cleanliness of the cage.

How do you deal with a degu?

Once your degu is taking treats from close to your hand, place the treat on your hand. When the degu is standing on your hand to take the treat, work up to scooping up your degu for gentle handling. Keep them cupped in one hand with another over their back to prevent them jumping.

How do you calm a degu?

As normal, give your degu treats through the bars, but after a few, this time slowly and calmly open the cage door, then move back to your previous position and offer a few more treats through the bars just to put them at ease.

Can a degu live with a guinea pig?

Finally, degus should never be housed with other rodent species — such as hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, or guinea pigs — or with other small mammals, such as rabbits, as these animals carry diseases that they can transmit to degus and vice versa. Plus, they may end up fighting over territory or other resources.

Do degu bites hurt?

Degus are friendly animals that generally won't resort to biting unless they feel threatened and have no way out. A degu might give you a little “grooming” nip but this doesn't really hurt or break the skin. It's only in rare cases that a degu will bite hard and such a bite might hurt and cause an injury.

How do degus mate?

Breeding activities include: the male grooming the female, tail-wagging, nose-to-nose contact, nuzzling, trembling, and the male chasing the female around the cage. After mating the male makes loud, repetitive squeaks that are unlike the usual day-to-day squeaks for up to 20 minutes.

Can degu live alone?

Degus are social animals that live in large groups in the wild. In general, it's recommended to keep at least a pair of degus. There are some rare cases where a degu is (temporarily) kept as a solitary pet. ... They're not used to living alone like some pocket pets.

How big does a degu get?

The average degu will grow to a length of 9-11″ (25-30 cm). This includes the tail, which typically measures at 6″ (15cm). They generally weigh between 150-300 grams at full size. As such, they are considered small rodents.