Octodon degus (Degu)

Origin: In Chile from the west coast to the slopes of the Andes mountains
Head-fuselage Length: 12-20cm (excluding tail of 10-16cm)
Age: 5 to 8 years
The degu is a friendly and curious rodent that is becoming increasingly popular as a pet. However, they are not stuffed animals, but they can be tame and will rarely bite. It is important to always take more than one degu as they are real group animals. Degus are social animals and live in large groups in nature. Like guinea pigs, they can communicate with each other with squeaks and growls.

Grooming
Experience: None
Feeding: Special food for degus is available in various pet stores. If you cannot find this food, you can also go for guinea pig food, chinchilla food, or a combination of these.
Water bowl: Not required
Water bottle: Yes
Change water: 3 times a week (change water bowl at the same time if you have one)

Nutrition
A sturdy food bowl must be placed in the cage and a bottle with a metal nipple can be hung up. Instead of a bottle, a drinking bowl can also be placed.
In captivity degus can become obese, so it is useful to weigh your degu at times. Obesity is associated with various other diseases and health problems. A healthy adult degu weighs between 175 and 300 grams.

Water
If you are going to place a water bowl in the accommodation to replace a water bottle, it is important to change this water every day and make the layer of water no higher than 2 cm. The degu will not only drink from it, but sometimes also bathe or walk through it. It also wants to prevent excrement from falling into the water.

Cleaning
A hygienic living environment is important to keep your degu healthy. In order to achieve this, the accommodation will have to be cleaned regularly. Cleaning once or twice a week is regular enough.

Handling
The animal will have to be handled in order to change the enclosure of the degu. This must of course be done properly so that both the degu and you are safe. Approach the creature carefully and make sure your hands are washed as well. Never lift the degu by its tail. This allows the skin of the tail to peel off, after which the underlying tail dies. The tail will stop growing. Lift the degu by gently placing your hand under the belly and at the same time placing one hand on top of the degu. During handling, keep the degu as close as possible above a surface (such as a table) so that it cannot fall too far down if that happens. Avoid unnecessary stress for the bugs by handling them as little as possible. However, some specimens can become very tame. If you let the degu get used to handling it from a few weeks old, this will also cause less stress or possible problems. However, these agile animals do not become as affectionate and tame as a guinea pig. Therefore, degus are not suitable pets for children. Also keep in mind that young animals may have a tendency to jump off your hand in a panic.

Housing
Minimum enclosure size for 1 degu: 130x60x100 cm (for each additional animal you charge approximately 0.4m2)
Temperature: 18-32C
Hours of light: 12 hours (need no bulb or artificial light above)
Ground cover: Dust-free wood shavings, beech chips or dust-free sawdust

Design
Degus are real group animals, so it is important to house them with their own kind. A suitable housing area for one degu is described above. It is best to cover the bottom of the enclosure with a thick layer of at least 15 cm, so that the animals also have the opportunity to dig. You can use a dust-free cover as ground cover. If the bedding is not dust-free, the degus can develop pneumonia. The best thing for the degus is to use different types of bedding and at least fill part of the enclosure with material in which to dig.
Because degus love to climb and scramble, it is important to give them the opportunity to do so. You can, for example, use stones, branches and flower pots or place seating boards at different heights. Degus love sand bathing and should be able to do this at least twice a week. It is best to use a heavy earthenware container and fill it with chinchilla sand. Chinchilla sand is also available at a variety of specialty pet stores. Degus must also be able to retreat to rest or sleep. Therefore, make sure that there is at least one nesting box per animal. Also offer nesting material such as toilet rolls, toilet paper, cardboard packaging or twigs. You can also install a running wheel with a closed running surface and a closed side, without spokes. Degus like to move and will often use it to release their energy. Make sure the wheel is big enough so that the degu does not have to walk with a crooked back.

Behaviour
Lifestyle: Mainly active during the day with a rest time in the middle of the day

Character
Degus are curious and active rodents that are easy to keep and tame well. Degus are real group animals and will therefore exhibit very different behavior when kept as individuals instead of in a group. It is better for a degu to be housed with different congeners.

Points of attention
Degus are real group animals, for the welfare of a degu it is therefore best to house several animals together. If degus gnaw too little, dental problems can develop. Contact your vet if you think your degu's teeth are too long.

Costs and Purchase
Legislation: Legally, no transfer papers are required to own a degu.
One-off costs: This includes the costs for the accommodation, lighting, water bottle, water bowl and decoration. All together this can cost a few hundred euros. The final amount depends on the quality and size of the products.
Fixed costs: Fixed costs include the costs for the feed, this is a few tens of euros per year.
Unexpected costs: Costs have been incurred if your animal accidentally falls ill.