Degu lifespan

Degus are small, degu lifespan, social and vocal rodents. They have long silky coats that are grey-brown tinged, and a long, thin tail with a tufted, black tip.

Degus are also known as the common degu, or occasionally as the brush-tailed rat; They have an average lifespan of years. Degus are larger than Mongolian Gerbils , typically measuring from cm with a weight of around g. The majority of Degus in captivity retain their natural agouti colour, although a blue variant does exist. Degus are an extremely active, social rodent. In the wild they would live in large colonies so should be kept with company in captivity. A lonely pet Degu has a much lower life expectancy, and quality, than a Degu kept with company.

Degu lifespan

The degu is native to central and northern Chile, where they live in large groups. In the wild they live in elaborate burrows amongst the rocks and brush of the West Andean slopes. The females raise their young in a communal group. To be healthy and happy, degus should be kept as pets in pairs or groups. As pets, they typically live years. 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. A degu spends its days digging tunnels and burrowing, so it will need a large enclosure with adequate bedding that allows this activity. While degus are relatively quiet critters, they do sometimes whistle or make quiet warbling sounds when they groom each other. With degus being unable to metabolize sugar, diabetes is a concern. This can be prevented, however, by offering them degu-specific food and not giving foods high in sugar. If your degu is suddenly drinking a lot of water, contact your veterinarian.

Degus are also susceptible to ear mites, degu lifespan. The diet of a degu should be low in sugars, carbohydrates, and fats.

Degu and Chinchilla World. Life Expectancy? First Stop. Reply Life Expectancy? Jus Leaping Degu. Apr 12, GMT. I've read a variety of estimates for degu life expectancy ranging from 6 to 10, but I was wondering if anyone knew more specific information regarding this.

Degus can make great pets, but they demand a significant amount of care and attention. Here are some important things to keep in mind if you are considering owning a Degu. Degus can make great pets for the right person. They are social animals that are active, curious, and playful. They can form strong bonds with their owners and are known to be quite intelligent. They can be easily stressed if not given proper time to acclimate to a new environment, so they may not be the best pet for young children or for people who are looking for a cuddly, lap pet. Offer them treats and speak to them in a calm, reassuring voice.

Degu lifespan

Sciurus degus Molina, Octodon degus : Waterhouse , Common degus belong to the parvorder Caviomorpha of the infraorder Hystricognathi , along with the chinchilla and guinea pig. The animal may be kept as a domestic 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. The common degu is a small animal with a body length of It has yellow-brown fur above and creamy-yellow below, with yellow around the eyes and a paler band around the neck. It has a long, thin tail with a tufted, black tip, dark sparsely furred ears, and pale grey toes. Its fifth toe is small with a nail, rather than a claw, on the fore feet. Its hind feet are bristled. Its cheek teeth are shaped like figures-of-eight, hence the degu's genus name Octodon.

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Subscribe to our emails Be the first to know about new collections and exclusive offers. Integer elementum dapibus arcu. Untreated, unpainted wood blocks or commercially produced wood chews made for rabbits work well for degus. Maravilla Consulting Degu. I have wondered if it is due to her breeding, as through having degus over time we have come to the conclusion that she is probably from a fairly inbred line of degus. Protect your pet with flea and tick preventatives. Degus gained prominence in the UK pet trade around , which resulted in a large rescue effort. Clean, untreated branches from fruit trees put in the cage can also create climbing opportunities and entertainment. National Council for Science and the Environment. Contact your veterinarian should you notice any eye discharge or cloudiness. Common degus often "groom" their human owners with a gentle nibbling action, and readily bond with any person spending time with them. Regular non-predatory handling and food offerings help with this transition. Life Expectancy?

This page might contain affiliate links, which will earn us a commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. While Degus may not be the most popular pets, they are lovely little creatures that can capture your heart with their gentle behaviors and outgoing personalities.

Degus can become very tame if handled regularly and from an early age. Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published. Pros and cons of spaying or neutering your dog or cat at an early age. Advocate for animals Legislative priorities Position Statements. Common degus are also invaluable in development and aging studies. They will typically only need it for minutes and then you can remove it. This helps common degus in the wild elude capture by predators, but it is painful to the creature and the tail end will not grow back. The animal may be kept as a domestic pet, though there are prohibitions on their ownership in some territories. In my time on the forum, deaths are still too few and far between for me to have picked up much of a pattern, the only thing that springs to mind which shortens lives that is likely to be strongly linked to poor breeding is teeth problems, in particular elodontoma ingrown roots. I don't think she has any specific illness as she weighs fine, is eating, drinking, defecating and interacting with the others normally and seems herself.