Degus are small, social and vocal rodents. They have long silky coats that are grey-brown tinged, and a long, thin tail with a tufted, black tip. Typically degus can live for 6-7 years in captivity.

Can a 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.

Do degus like people?

Pet degus are affectionate towards other degus and their owners. They show their love by cuddling up to their owners and grooming the other degus in their cage. Degus have a very distinctive way of expressing their affection towards others.

Are degus friendly?

Degus can become very tame if handled regularly and from an early age. They are playful and curious creatures and, like most rodents, love to chew everything. They thrive on social interaction and activity. Without regular social interaction and opportunities for exercise they can become aggressive and neurotic.

Do degus need a friend?

Degus are very social animals who love the companionship of other degus. … Ideally, degus should be housed in same-sex pairs, or a castrated male can live with one or more females. Introducing degus to a new companion is possible but must be done with great care and patience.

What kind of animal is a degu?

degu, (genus Octodon), one of four species of ratlike South American rodents found primarily on the lower western slopes of the Andes Mountains. It is one of the most common mammals of central Chile at elevations up to 1,200 metres (3,900 feet), where it prefers open grassy areas near shrubs, rocks, and stone walls.

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.

Are hedgehogs good pets?

Hedgehogs can be a fun and low-maintenance pet for your household, but they do need some special care. They have sharp quills that can make handling difficult. Consistent and proper daily handling will help them relax and feel comfortable with you.

Are degus smelly pets?

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.

Are degus exotic pets?

These pets include parrots, reptiles, amphibians and rabbits, as well as small species of rodent such as degus and guinea pigs. Many of these exotic pet species are not domesticated, and often have special requirements in captivity, which many owners do not have the facilities or knowledge to provide.

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Are degus as smart as rats?

Intelligent like their rat cousins, degus are very social and full of personality. They communicate through an extensive vocabulary of sounds and are very active during the day, unlike many other rodents that are nocturnal, making degus more attractive as pets.

Can you cuddle a Degu?

Degus ‘shed’ their tail when they feel stressed or threatened and this can cause that to happen. … Degus aren’t really ‘cuddly’ pets so we wouldn’t recommend cuddling your degus. It’s much better to give them lots of toys and activities and just watch them be themselves!

Can I have a pet rat?

Rats are very low maintenance pets to own. They are very comfortable in their own environment and can go long periods of the day without much attention. If you are the type of owner that is away for long periods of the day then pet rats may be a good choice for you.

What is the difference between a gerbil and a degu?

Gerbils are smaller than Degus and require less space to live. Degus can be expected to grow up to three times the size of a Gerbil. Lifespan: Another major difference between the two lies in their lifespans. … Degus are better companions for the day as they sleep during the night.

How much does it cost to own a degu?

On average you can expect the price of a degu to range from $30 to $300 with most degus to cost around $40. The price will depend on a lot of factors like the age, the region and the season.

How do you get a degu to trust you?

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.

Is a degu a rat?

Common deguOrder:RodentiaFamily:OctodontidaeGenus:OctodonSpecies:O. degus

How much space does a degu need?

What size should my degus’ cage be? Degus need space, so ideally the bigger the better! As an absolute minimum, their floor space should be 100cm long by 50cm deep, but they’ll need additional floor levels of up to four times this, so that they get plenty of floor space.

Why does my degu keep biting me?

Why is my degu biting me? If your degu is new to you, they might need some time to get to know who you are and that you aren’t dangerous. A stressed degu will be more likely to bite you, so make sure you aren’t trying to pick him up incorrectly (let him come to you) and don’t corner them.

Why does my degu bite the cage?

Degus like most rodents need and like to chew on almost anything that they can find, that way they can grind down their teeth that constantly grow. Sometimes a degu will bite their cage when they have gotten bored with their other chew toys or just bored in general.

What can degus eat as a treat?

Thus, pet degus should not be fed sugary treats but should be offered commercially available rodent pellets or blocks (those made for rats are generally fine) along with leafy greens, such as dark lettuces and dandelion greens, plus vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and carrots, and unlimited …

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.

What's the difference between a degu and a chinchilla?

Visual Differences Chinchillas have slightly longer bodies and fluffier tails than degus. Also, chinchillas have rounder eyes, while degus have eyes that are shaped more like almonds. Some people liken the chinchilla to guinea pigs and the degu to hamsters.

Why are degus illegal in some states?

In some regions, keeping a degu is illegal or requires a permit. The most common reason for this is that they’re sometimes considered a potentially invasive species that can pose a potential threat to the native fish and wildlife, agriculture or public health and safety.

What is the smelliest pet?

Cats are generally considered to fare better than dogs, that is if you keep their litter box clean. The stinkiest pets are found among the exotic types, with ferrets topping the list. Whatever your choice, though, there are all sorts of modern solutions like pet hair removers and air purifiers for pets.

Are guinea pigs smellier than hamsters?

Adult Guinea Pig In my experience hamsters smell much more than guinea pigs. Guinea pigs live longer (much longer usually). Hamsters are nocturnal creatures – guineas are awake day and night (they have several short naps throughout).

What does it mean when a Degu squeaks?

Many Sounds. Degus are said to have a wide range of sounds. An annoyed degu might chatter his teeth, which sounds like grinding. A rapid succession of squeaks usually signifies that the degu is scared; it is attention-grabbing, so you’ll know to check on your degu if you hear it.

Are hedgehogs social?

Hedgehogs are very solitary animals and should be housed separately. In the wild, they are only social during the breeding season. Their solitary nature can make it difficult for these pets to warm up to you. … When you first get your hedgehog, you should allow time for your pet to settle into her new enclosure.

Why hedgehogs are bad pets?

Some regions have banned the practice of keeping hedgehogs, as some carry the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease. They can also transmit salmonella bacteria as well as viral and fungal diseases, and their sharp spines can puncture skin and cause infections.

Are hedgehogs cuddly?

In the wild, hedgehogs are solitary animals and they spend most of their time alone except during mating season. They tend to be shy and wary of people. It takes patience and a gentle hand to form a trusting bond with a pet hedgehog. Once a bond is established hedgehogs can be quite playful and occasionally cuddly.

How are degus as pets?

Degus are social and active pets that are relatively easy to care for. Degus are very interactive with each other and their owners. They are intelligent pets that will learn to recognize their owners, and their owner’s voice, even from another room!