This is one of many reasons why the degu makes a great pet rodent, in that they will not keep you up at night with their activities. Unlike the majority of nocturnal rodents commonly available, the degu is actually diurnal (active during the day). By nature they are fun, playful and curious little critters, but without daily doses of social interaction they can become rather aggressive and neurotic. A single kept degu will require LOTS more human interaction. Degus found in the wild will live in a colony together, spending their days burrowing and creating elaborate tunnel systems. Degus are always best kept in groups due to their social behavior. If trained and handled during adolescence, they can be quite tame and easily handle-able. The common degu (and sometimes pied degus) is regularly available at Pisces Pet Emporium! Degu Behaviorĭegus, like most rodents, are very social animals.
The degu has an average lifespan of 5-8 years, although some have been documented to live 10+ years. The degu can be easily recognized by its large, lightly tuffed ears. These furry little friends are part of the same infraorder as two other loved household rodents the chinchilla and guinea pig! The common degu will grow a body size of 5"-7", with an added 5" or so in tail length. The common degu is a small rodent endemic to the terrestrial ecoregion of central Chile. Degus make excellent small animal cage pets for kids and adults! So what is a degu? About the Degu We believe the reason that these creatures are unnoticed is because not many people know much about them. The degu is a curious little critter often overlooked at your local pet shop.