View source for Common degu

{{Short description|Species of rodent}}
{{Hatnote|This species was historically called ''degu''. See [[degu (disambiguation)|degu]] for a list of other degu species now considered distinct from the common degu.}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Octodon degus -Heidelberg Zoo, Germany-8a.jpg
| image_caption = At [[Heidelberg Zoo]], Germany
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Roach, N. |date=2016 |title=''Octodon degus'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T15088A78321302 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T15088A78321302.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Octodon
| species = degus
| authority = ([[Juan Ignacio Molina|Molina]], 1782)
| range_map = Octodon degus range.svg
| range_map_caption = Range of ''O. degus''
| synonyms =
''Sciurus degus'' <small>Molina, 1782</small><br />
''Octodon degus'': <small>[[George Robert Waterhouse|Waterhouse]], 1848</small>
}}

The '''common degu''' ('''''Octodon degus'''''; {{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|eɪ|ɡ|uː}}), or, historically, the '''degu''', is a small [[hystricomorpha]] [[rodent]] [[endemic]] to the [[Chilean matorral]] [[ecoregion]] of [[central Chile]].<ref>C. Michael Hogan & World Wildlife Fund. 2013. Chilean Matorral. Ed. Mark McGinley. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC</ref> The name ''degu'' on its own indicates either the entire genus ''[[Octodon]]'' or, more commonly, just the common degu. Common degus belong to the [[parvorder]] [[Caviomorpha]] of the [[infraorder]] [[Hystricognathi]], along with the [[chinchilla]] and [[guinea pig]]. The word ''degu'' comes from the indigenous language of Chile, [[Mapudungun]], and the word ''dewü'', meaning 'mouse' or 'rat'.<ref>{{Citation |title=Diccionario Mapuche: Mapudungun/Español, Español/Mapudungun |language=es |edition=2nd |year=2006 |editor=Muñoz Urrutia, Rafael |location=Santiago, Chile |isbn=978-956-8287-99-3 |pages=104, 105, 141 |publisher=Editorial Centro Gráfico}}</ref>

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]].

== Description ==
The common degu is a small animal with a body length of {{convert|25.0|to(-)|31.0|cm|in|abbr=on}} and a weight of {{convert|170|to|400|g|oz|abbr=on}}. 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''.<ref name="Woods1975"/>

== Social behavior ==
[[File:Octodon degus -Artis Zoo, Netherlands-8b.jpg|left|thumb|Degus nestling to keep warm at [[Artis Zoo]] in the Netherlands]]

Common degus are highly social. They live in burrows, and, by digging communally, they are able to construct larger and more elaborate burrows than they could on their own.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Ebensperger| first1=L. A.| last2=Bozinovic| first2=F.| year=2000| title=Communal burrowing in the hystricognath rodent, ''Octodon degus'': A benefit of sociality?| journal=Behavioural and Ecological Sociobiology| volume=47| pages=365–369|issn=0340-5443|doi=10.1007/s002650050678|issue=5| hdl=10533/172245| s2cid=12859012| hdl-access=free}}</ref> Degus digging together coordinate their activities, forming digging chains.<ref name=Eb2000b>{{Citation| last1=Ebensperger| first1=L. A.| last2=Bozinovic| first2=F.| year=2000b| title=Energetics and burrowing behaviour in the semifossorial degu ''Octodon degus'' (Rodentia: Octodontidae)| journal=Journal of Zoology| volume=252| pages=179–186|doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.2000.tb00613.x|issue=2| hdl=10533/172199| hdl-access=free}}</ref> Females living in the same group have been shown to spontaneously nest communally;<ref name=Eb2002>{{Citation| last1=Ebensperger| first1=L.A.| last2=Veloso| first2=C.| last3=Wallem| first3=P.| year=2002| title=Do female degus communally nest and nurse their pups?| journal=Journal of Ethology| volume=20| pages=143–146|doi=10.1007/s10164-002-0063-x| issn=0289-0771| issue=2| s2cid=38854503}}</ref><ref>{{Citation| last1=Ebensperger| first1=L.A.| last2=Hurtado| first2=M.| last3=Lacey| first3=E.| last4=Chang| first4=A.| year=2004| title=Communal nesting and kinship in degus (''Octodon degus'')| journal=Naturwissenschaften| volume=91| pages=391–395| doi=10.1007/s00114-004-0545-5| issn=0028-1042| pmid=15309311| last5=Chang| first5=AT| issue=8| bibcode=2004NW.....91..391E| hdl=10533/175502| s2cid=929721| hdl-access=free}}</ref> they nurse one another's young. They spend a large amount of time on the surface, where they forage for food.<ref name=Eb2000b/> When foraging, their ability to detect predators is increased in larger groups,<ref>{{Citation| last1=Quirici| first1=V.| last2=Castro| first2=R.A.| last3=Oyarzun| first3=J.| last4=Ebensperger| first4=L.A.| year=2008| title=Female degus (''Octodon degus'') monitor their environment while foraging socially| journal=Anim Cogn| volume=11| pages=441–448| doi=10.1007/s10071-007-0134-z| issn=1435-9448| pmid=18214556| issue=3| s2cid=17723026| hdl=10533/241163| hdl-access=free}}</ref> and each animal needs to spend less time in [[wiktionary:vigilance|vigilance]].

Common degus exhibit a wide array of communication techniques.  They have an elaborate vocal repertoire comprising up to 15 different sounds,<ref>{{Citation| last=Long| first=C.V.| year= 2007| title= Vocalisations of the degu (''Octodon degus''), a social caviomorph rodent| journal= Bioacoustics| volume= 16| issue=3| pages= 223–244| issn=0952-4622| doi=10.1080/09524622.2007.9753579| s2cid=84569309}}</ref> and the young need to be able to hear their mother's calls if the emotional systems in their brains are to develop properly.<ref>{{Citation| last1=Ziabreva |first1=I. |last2=Schnabel |first2=R. |last3=Poeggel |first3=G. |last4=Braun |first4=K. | year=2003 |title=Mother's voice "buffers" separation-induced receptor changes in the prefrontal cortex of ''Octodon degus'' |journal=Neuroscience | volume=119 | pages=433–441| doi=10.1016/S0306-4522(03)00123-4| issue=2| pmid=12770557|s2cid=28635328 }}</ref> They use their [[urine]] to [[territorial marking|scent mark]],<ref>{{Citation |last=Kleiman |first=D.G. |title=The Biology of Hystricomorph Rodents |year=1974 |editor-last=Rowlands |editor-first=I. W. |editor-last2=Weir |editor-first2=B. J. |chapter=Patterns of behaviour in hystricomorph rodents |place=London |publisher=Academic Press |lccn=74005683}}</ref> and experiments have shown that they react to one another's marks,<ref>{{Citation| last1=Fischer| first1=R.| last2=Meunier| first2=G.| year=1985| title=Responses to conspecifics' urine by the degu ''Octodon degus''| journal=Physiological Behaviour| volume=34| pages=999–1001| doi=10.1016/0031-9384(85)90027-7| pmid=4059390| issue=6| s2cid=27846946}}</ref> although in males the hormone [[testosterone]] may suppress their sense of smell somewhat.<ref>{{Citation| last1=Jechura| first1=T.| last2=Walsh| first2=J. | first3=T.| year=2003| title=Testosterone suppresses circadian responsiveness to social cues in the diurnal rodent ''Octodon degus''| journal=Journal of Biological Rhythms| volume=18| pages=43–50| doi=10.1177/0748730402239675| pmid=12568243| last3=Lee| issue=1| s2cid=40262270| doi-access=free}}</ref>

[[File:Degu father.JPG|thumb|Male degu keeping newborn pups warm]]
Common degus are seasonal breeders; the breeding season for wild degus begins in the Chilean autumn when day and night are roughly equal,<ref>{{Citation| last1=Ebensperger| first1=L.A.| last2=Caiozzi| first2=A.| year=2002| title=Male degus, ''Octodon degus'', modify their dustbathing behaviour in response to social familiarity of previous dustbathing marks| journal=Revista Chilena de Historia Natural| volume=75| pages=157–163| doi=10.4067/S0716-078X2002000100015| issn=0716-078X| doi-access=free}}</ref> with pups born in early to mid-spring.<ref>{{Citation| last1=Bozinovic| first1=F.| last2=Bacigalupe| first2=L.| last3=Vasquez| first3=R.| last4=Visser| first4=H.| last5=Veloso| first5=C.| last6=Kenagy| first6=G.| year=2004| title=Cost of living in free-ranging degus (''Octodon degus''): Seasonal dynamics of energy expenditure| journal=Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A| volume=137| pages=597–604| doi=10.1016/j.cbpb.2003.11.014| pmid=15123196| issue=3}}</ref> Female degus are pregnant for approximately ninety days,<ref name=Woods1975>{{Citation| last1=Woods| first1=C.| last2=Boraker| first2=D.| url=http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/pdf/i0076-3519-067-01-0001.pdf| date=21 November 1975| title=''Octodon degus''| journal=Mammalian Species| issue=67|pages=1–5| doi=10.2307/3503820| jstor=3503820| s2cid=253992625}}</ref><ref>{{Citation| last1=Brown| first1=C.| last2=Donnelly| first2=T.| year=2001| title=Cataracts and reduced fertility in degus (''Octodon degus''): Contracts secondary to diabetes mellitus| journal=Lab Animal | volume=30| pages=25–26| issn=0093-7355}}</ref> having a comparatively long gestation period compared to other non-caviomorph rodents. Female pregnant weight varies over the course of gestation and according to litter size;<ref name=Long2009>{{Citation| last1=Long| first1=C.V.| last2=Ebensperger| first2=L.A.| year=2009| title=Pup growth rates and breeding female weight changes in two populations of captive bred degus (''Octodon degus''), a precocial caviomorph rodent| journal=Reprod Domest Anim.| volume=45| issue=6| pages=975–82| doi=10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01470.x| issn=0936-6768 | pmid=19497026}}</ref> litters contain an average of six pups,<ref name=Eb2002/> but size can range from one or two up to twelve young.<ref name=Long2009/> Common degu pups are born relatively [[precocial]], fully furred and with eyes open, and their [[auditory system|auditory]] and [[visual system]]s are functional at birth.<ref>{{Citation| last1=Reynolds| first1=T.| last2=Wright| first2=J.| year=1979| title=Early postnatal physical and behavioural development of degus (''Octodon degus'')| journal=Lab Animal | volume=13| pages=93–9| doi=10.1258/002367779780943576| issue=2| pmid=480906| s2cid=22769488| doi-access=free}}</ref> Unlike most other rodents, male common degus also take part in protecting and raising their pups until they are old enough to leave the family.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.exoticnutrition.com/breeding-degus.aspx|title=Breeding Degus|website=Exoticnutrition.com|access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref>

Unlike some other [[octodontidae|octodontids]], common degus are [[diurnality|diurnal]]<ref name=Kenagy2002>{{Citation| last1=Kenagy| first1=G.| last2=Nespolo| first2=R.| last3=Vasquez| first3=R.| last4=Bozinovic| first4=F.| year=2002| title=Daily and seasonal limits of time and temperature to activity of degus| journal=Revista Chilena de Historia Natural| volume=75| pages=567–581| doi=10.4067/S0716-078X2002000300008| issn=0716-078X| issue=3| doi-access=free}}</ref> (active during the day), and they have good vision. Their [[retina]]s include [[rod cell]]s and two types of [[cone cell]]s, corresponding to peak sensitivity in the green and [[ultraviolet]] regions of the [[Electromagnetic spectrum|spectrum]].<ref>{{Citation| last1=Cha'vez| first1=A.| last2=Bozinovic| first2=F.| last3=Peich| first3=F.| last4=Palacios| first4=A.| year=2003| title=Retinal spectral sensitivity, fur coloration and urine reflectance in the genus ''Octodon'' (Rodentia): Implications for visual ecology| journal=Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science| volume=44| pages=2290–2296| doi=10.1167/iovs.02-0670| issue=5| pmid=12714673| doi-access=free| hdl=10533/174635| hdl-access=free}}</ref> Behavioral experiments have shown that degus are able to discriminate ultraviolet light from the wavelengths visible to humans; it is likely that this ultraviolet sensitivity has a social function, since both their [[wiktionary:ventral|ventral]] (stomach) fur and their [[urine]] are highly UV reflective.<ref>{{Citation| last1=Palacios| first1=A.| last2=Bozinovic| first2=F.| year=2003| title=An "enactive" approach to ingtegrative and comparative biology: Thoughts on the table| journal=Biol. Res.| volume=36| pages=101–105| doi=10.4067/S0716-97602003000100008| issn=0716-9760| pmid=12795209| issue=1| doi-access=free| hdl=10533/174736| hdl-access=free}}</ref>

== Diet ==
[[File:2007-12-09 (20) Degu.JPG|thumb|200px|Degus use their forepaws to hold food while eating]]

Common degus are strictly [[Herbivore|herbivorous]], in the wild feeding on grasses and browsing the leaves of shrubs, though they will also take seeds.<ref>{{Citation| last1=Bozinovic| first1=F.| last2=Gallardo| first2=P.A.| last3=Visser| first3=G.H.| last4=Cortés| first4=A.| year=2003| title=Seasonal acclimatization in water flux rate, urine osmolality and kidney water channels in free-living degus: Molecular mechanisms, physiological processes and ecological implications| journal=J Exp Biol| volume=206| pages=2959–2966| doi=10.1242/jeb.00509| pmid=12878664| issue=Pt 17| doi-access=free}}</ref> Throughout much of the year forage is dried<ref name=Kenagy2002/> and so common degus are specially adapted to a very high fibre intake,<ref>{{Citation| last=Langer| first=P.| year=2002| title=The digestive tract and life history of small mammals| journal=Mammal Review| volume=32| pages=107–131| doi=10.1046/j.1365-2907.2002.00101.x|issue=2| doi-access=free}}</ref> and this varies between food types and environmental conditions.<ref>{{Citation| last1=Gutiérrez| first1=J.| last2=Bozinovic| first2=F.| year=1998| title=Diet selection in captivity by a generalist herbivorous rodent (''Octodon degus'') from the Chilean coastal desert| journal=Journal of Arid Environments| volume=39| pages=601–607| doi=10.1006/jare.1998.0412| issue=4| bibcode=1998JArEn..39..601G}}</ref> Like some other herbivores such as [[rabbit]]s, they perform [[coprophagia|coprophagy]] ([[feces|faecal]] reingestion) so as to extract more nutrition from their diet.<ref name=Kenagy1999>{{Citation| last1=Kenagy| first1=G.| last2=Veloso| first2=C.| last3=Bozinovic| first3=F.| year=1999| title=Daily rhythms of food intake and feces reingestion in the degu, an herbivorous Chilean rodent: Optimizing digestion through coprophagy| journal=Physiological and Biochemical Zoology| volume=72| pages=78–86| doi=10.1086/316644| pmid=9882606| issue=1| s2cid=32432487}}</ref> This also serves to maintain healthy gut function during times when food is scarce.<ref name=Kenagy1999/> Although they are active by day, in high summer they do not leave their burrows in the middle of the day<ref name=Kenagy2002/> and instead emerge to forage in the mornings and evenings.

Common degus have an intolerance of dietary sugar. They have been found to have a divergent [[insulin]] structure (one of the hormones that regulate [[blood glucose level]]) and so are highly susceptible to developing [[diabetes mellitus]] when fed regularly on a diet containing free sugars.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Opazo |first1=J.C. |last2=Soto-Gamboa |first2=M. |last3=Bozinovic |first3=F. |year=2004 |title=Blood glucose concentration in caviomorph rodents |journal=Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A |volume=137 |issue=1 |pages=57–64 |doi=10.1016/j.cbpb.2003.09.007|pmid=14720591 }}</ref> This is thought to be due to evolutionary pressure arising from the lack of availability of free sugars in the degu's natural environment.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nishi |first1=M. |last2=Steiner |first2=D. |year=2003 |title=Cloning of complementary DNA's encoding islet amyloid polypeptide, insulin, and glucagon precursors from a New World rodent, the degu, ''Octodon degus'' |journal=Molecular Endocrinology |volume=4 |pages=1192–8 |doi=10.1210/mend-4-8-1192 |pmid=2293024 |issue=8 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Because of this, the ingredients of non-degu-specific hard feed formulations given to captive common degus should be checked for sugar-laden ingredients, such as [[molasses]], [[honey]], and [[glucose syrup]].{{citation needed|date=November 2011}}

== Research subjects ==
[[File:Degu Dolly.jpg|thumb|200px|Common degus are extremely intelligent and have a good ability to solve problems.<ref name="Okanoya 2008 e1860">{{Citation| last1=Okanoya| first1=K.| last2=Tokimoto| first2=N.| last3=Kumazawa| first3=N.| last4=Hihara| first4=S.| last5=Iriki| first5=A.| year=2008| title=Tool-Use Training in a Species of Rodent: The Emergence of an Optimal Motor Strategy and Functional Understanding| journal=PLOS ONE| volume=3| pages=e1860| doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0001860| pmid=18365015| issue=3| pmc=2268009| last6=Ferrari| first6=Pier Francesco| bibcode=2008PLoSO...3.1860O|editor1-last=Ferrari| editor1-first=Pier Francesco| doi-access=free}}</ref> This individual has a much shorter tail than normal.]]
Common degus are research subjects due to their relationship with sugar and diabetes, but are also studied for a variety of other reasons.
[[Neuroscientist]]s at the [[RIKEN|Riken Institute]] in [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]], used common degus for research into tool use in animals with good eye-and-paw coordination, in which they spontaneously learned to use a tiny rake to retrieve out-of-reach seeds.<ref name="Okanoya 2008 e1860"/> Common degus have also been found to spontaneously stack objects in order of decreasing size. In both cases, it is the first time these behaviours have been recorded in animals other than apes and birds.<ref>{{Citation| last1=Tokimoto| first1=N.| last2=Okanoya| first2=K.| year=2004| title=Spontaneous construction of "Chinese boxes" by degus (''Octodon degus''): A rudiment of recursive intelligence?| journal=Japanese Psychological Research| volume=46| pages=255–261| doi=10.1111/j.1468-5584.2004.00257.x| issue=3| doi-access=free}}</ref>

Another area of common degu research is [[circadian rhythm]] function, i.e., the ability of the brain to tell what time of day it is. Degus have the ability to show both [[Diurnality|diurnal]] and [[nocturnal]] rhythms if the environment permits.<ref>{{Citation| last2=Edgar| first2=D. M.| last1=Kas| first1=M. J. H.| s2cid=18503215| year=2000| title=Photic phase response curve in ''Octodon degus'': Assessment as a function of activity phase preference| journal=American Journal of Physiology| volume=278| issue=5| pages=R1385–1389|pmid=10801311| doi=10.1152/ajpregu.2000.278.5.R1385| doi-access=free}}</ref> Common degus can take cues that do not relate to day length, such as temperature,<ref>{{Citation| last1=Kas| first1=M.J.| last2=Edgar| first2=D.M.| year=1998| title=Crepuscular rhythms of EEG sleep-wake in a hystricomorph rodent, ''Octodon degus''| journal=J. Biol. Rhythms| volume=13| pages=9–17| doi=10.1177/074873098128999871| pmid=9486839| issue=1| s2cid=32894633}}</ref> [[melatonin]] levels<ref>{{Citation| last1=Morris| first1=L.G.| last2=Tate| first2=B.L.| year=2007| title=Phase response curve to melatonin in a putatively diurnal rodent, ''Octodon degus''| journal= Chronobiol. Int.| volume=24| pages=407–411| doi=10.1080/07420520701420352| pmid=17612940| issue=3| s2cid=13223071}}</ref> and scents from other degus<ref>{{Citation| last1=Jechura| first1=T.J.| last2=Mahoney| first2=M.M.| last3=Stimpson| first3=C.D.| last4=Lee| first4=T.M.| s2cid=7354002| year=2006| title=Odor-specific effects on reentrainment following phase advances in the diurnal rodent, ''Octodon degus''| journal=Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.| volume=291| pages=R1808–1816| doi=10.1152/ajpregu.00005.2006| issn=0363-6119| pmid=16840658| issue=6}}</ref> to adjust their rhythms.

Common degus are also used in development and aging studies. [[Separation anxiety disorder|Separation anxiety]] caused by separating degu pups from their mother from an early age for periods of half an hour or more can cause developmental and behavioural changes in later life, similar to [[ADHD]] in humans.<ref>{{Citation| last1=Zehle| first1=S.| last2=Bock| first2=J.| last3=Jezierski| first3=G.| last4=Gruss| first4=M.| last5=Braun| first5=K.| year=2007| title=Methylphenidate treatment recovers stress-induced elevated dendritic spine densities in the rodent dorsal anterior cingulate cortex| journal=Dev. Neurobiol.| volume=67| pages=1891–1900| doi=10.1002/dneu.20543| pmid=17874461| issue=14| s2cid=25698865}}</ref> In elderly common degus, [[neural]] markers have been discovered which are similar to those in humans with [[Alzheimer's disease]], which is the first time this has been seen in a [[wild-type]] rodent.<ref>{{Citation| last1=Inestrosa| first1=N.C.| last2=Reyes| first2=A.E.| last3=Chacon| first3=M.A.| last4=Cerpa| first4=W.| last5=Villalon| first5=A.| last6=Montiel| first6=J.| last7=Merabachvili| first7=G.| last8=Aldunate| first8=R.| last9=Bozinovic| first9=F.| last10=Aboitiz| first10=Francisco| year=2004| title=Human-like rodent amyloid-beta-peptide determines Alzheimer pathology in aged wild-type ''Octodon degus''| journal=Neurobiol. Aging| volume=26| pages=1023–8| doi=10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2004.09.016| pmid=15748782| issue=7| s2cid=29644857| display-authors=8}}</ref>

==As pets==
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2025}}
[[File:Degus-4er-Bande.jpg|thumb|Captive common degus need plenty of space to exhibit a full range of normal behaviours]]
[[File:Common degu in a cage - 2023 March 7.webm|thumb|A degu in a cage, 2023]]

After initial interest into common degus as [[Animal research|research subjects]], they have become popular as [[pet]]s. Their advantages over traditional small pets are their [[Diurnality|diurnal]] habits, bubbly personalities, the haired tail (as compared to [[rat]]s and [[mouse|mice]]) and their lifespan: they are reported to live up to 13 years under ideal circumstances (though a poor gene pool or genetic background often reduces a pet degu's lifespan significantly).{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} The average lifespan of a common degu in captivity is typically around six to eight years of age.

One disadvantage of the common degu as a pet is their predisposition to chewing, due to their continually growing incisor and molar teeth.<ref name=Woods1975/> For this reason, common degus cannot be housed in plastic-bottomed cages typically found in pet stores. Lining the floors of a degu enclosure with grass mats or a soft fabric prevents infections known as [[Bumblefoot (infection)|bumblefoot]].{{citation needed|date=December 2010}}

Untamed common degus, as with some other small animals kept as pets, can be prone to biting, but their intelligence makes them easy to tame. Regular non-predatory handling and food offerings help with this transition. The common degu's tail skin and tuft is easily "shed" (pulled off). 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, and as such pulling on it or picking up a degu by the tail is not recommended. When tail shedding occurs, common degus will chew off the damaged portion. This can reduce the chances of infection.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

Common degus often "groom" their human owners with a gentle nibbling action, and will bond with people that spend time with them. Common degus need regular [[Sand bathing|sand baths]], like [[Chinchilla]]s need dust baths, to keep their coats healthy and free from grease. They should have access to these baths regularly, preferably two or three times a week for half an hour at a time. However, daily sand bathing can make their coats soiled.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

===Prohibitions===
Some jurisdictions consider common degus as a potential [[invasive species]] and forbid owning them as a pet.

In the United States, they are illegal to own in [[California]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/living-with-wildlife/restricted-pet-species|title=Why can't I have a [...] in California?|last=CDFW|first=California Department of Fish and Wildlife|date=2018|website=Wildlife.ca.gov|access-date=2019-04-11}}</ref> [[Utah]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r657/r657-003.htm#T24|title=UT Admin Code R657-3. Collection, Importation, Transportation, and Possession of Animals. April 1, 2019|website=Rules.utah.gov|access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref> [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[Connecticut]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eregulations.ct.gov/eRegsPortal/Browse/getDocument?guid={D0E38E56-0000-CCCD-B87B-ABCD1F121231|title=Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies : TITLE 26. Fisheries & Game|website=Eregulations.ct.gov|access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref> and [[Alaska]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animalhub.com/10-cool-facts-degus/|title=10 Facts That Make Degus The Coolest Pet Ever!|date=6 March 2016|website=Animalhub.com|access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Degu-Rudi.jpg|Common degu in captivity
File:BabyGoosNursing.jpg|Baby common degus nursing
File:Octodon_degus_4.jpg|Common degu scratching
File:Degu pups.jpg|Three common degu pups, eight days old
File:Juvenile blue common degu.jpg|Degu with blue coat, a common colour variation
File:'Common degu' Name Zefyrka 2022 Vadim Chuprina.jpg|Pet degu with significant coat variations
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Communal burrow]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Octodon degus}}
{{Wikispecies|Octodon degus}}

{{Octodontidae nav}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q281008}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Octodon]]
[[Category:Rodents as pets]]
[[Category:Rodents of South America]]
[[Category:Mammals of Chile]]
[[Category:Tool-using mammals]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1782]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Juan Ignacio Molina]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of Chile]]
[[Category:Fauna of the Chilean Matorral]]