Animalscaretips
The common degu is a small animal with a body length of 25.0 to 31.0 cm (9.8–12.2 in) and a weight of 170 to 400 g (6.0 to 14.1 oz).
- How big can a degu grow?
- Can degus live in the wild?
- How much should an adult degu weigh?
- What's the difference between a degu and a chinchilla?
- Is a degu a good pet?
- Can a degu live with a guinea pig?
- Is it legal to own a degu?
- How old is the oldest degu?
- Can you own a degu in Canada?
- Can male degu live together?
- What age are degus fully grown?
- How much water should a degu drink?
- What is the difference between a gerbil and a Degu?
- Are Degu related to chinchillas?
- Do degus like to be held?
How big can a degu grow?
How big is a degu? As a rodent animal, Degus are small in nature. The average Degu size measures anywhere between 9.8–12.2 in (25-31 cm) in length and they have a long tail. They are almost similar in length to the Chinchillas who average around 10 in long excluding their tails.
Can degus live in the wild?
Degus are sociable
In the wild, degus make communal burrows and live together in groups.
How much should an adult degu weigh?
Remember, a healthy, adult degu should weigh in the region of 220-250 g. 2. Monitor drinking habits- It's a great idea to keep track of how much water your degus are drinking, as over-consumption can be a sign of diabetes, and under-consumption can cause problems such as constipation.
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.
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.
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.
Is it legal to own a degu?
Some places consider degus as a potentially invasive species and forbid owning them as a pet. They are illegal to own in multiple states within the United States. Before committing to buying one, check with city and state regulations where you live. Some places may require a permit or health certificate.
How old is the oldest degu?
Longest living degu
One scientific article referenced an 11 year old degu, but that's all we could find in terms of verified long degu lifespans. However, degus are generally one of the longest lived rodent species.
Can you own a degu in Canada?
The degu, a small rodent native to Chile, is now prohibited under the province's expanded exotic wildlife rules. ... In an email response to CTV News, the ministry said degus have never been legal to own in Saskatchewan without a licence.
Can male degu live together?
Degus are very sociable and in the wild they live in colonies of up to 100 animals! They are best kept in single-sex pairs or groups of up to 6 as they love to play together and snuggle up to one another, and can become very depressed if kept on their own.
What age are degus fully grown?
Degus are usually fully adult at around 53-55 weeks old22 and at this age are generally fully reproductively competent.
How much water should a degu drink?
How much do degus drink? On average two to three healthy adult degus should be consuming 1000 ml of water a month.
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.
Are Degu related to chinchillas?
Degus are related to chinchillas and guinea pigs - and they all come from South America. Unlike most other pocket pets, degus are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day.
Do degus like to be held?
Do degus like being handled? ... As long as your degus have gotten used to being gently handled from a young age, they will be fine with being picked up. This said, it's better to play with them rather than picking them up a lot! Never pick your degus up by their tails.
