Degu facts: surprising things about degus

Where do degus come from?

1. They are mountain rodents from Chile. The RSPCA says wild degus live in northern and central Chile, at up to about 1,200 m (3,900 ft) in the Andes. Burgess calls them close relatives of the chinchilla, which also comes from Chile.

2. They have a brilliant nickname. PetMD notes the common degu is also called the trumpet-tailed rat, after the tuft on the end of its long tail. It isn't a rat at all.

3. They're new pets. The RSPCA and Burgess both point out that degus have only been kept as pets for a relatively short time, and experts are still learning the best ways to care for them. That's one reason advice keeps improving.

How big do degus get?

4. Small enough to sit in two cupped hands. PetMD gives 170 to 280 g (6 to 10 oz) for an adult, and Degutopia's breed standard asks for 220 to 250 g (about 8 to 9 oz) in a degu over 58 weeks old. Burgess describes them as looking like an oversized gerbil with silky grey-brown fur, rounded ears and a long, thin tail with a black tuft.

5. Most are the colour of the wild. The usual degu is agouti, where each hair is dark at the root and tip with a paler band in between. Degutopia says this works as camouflage in the wild. Blue, sand, cream, black and white-patched degus exist too; see our guide to degu colours.

Why are degu teeth orange?

6. Orange teeth are healthy teeth. The RSPCA says degu teeth are naturally yellow-orange, and white teeth can be a sign of poor health. Degutopia's breed standard asks for "vivid orange" enamel.

7. They never stop growing. Both the front teeth and the back teeth grow all the time, the RSPCA explains, so degus need hay and safe things to chew every day to keep them worn down. Burgess suggests checking them weekly.

What is special about a degu's tail?

8. The skin can slip off. PetMD explains that if a degu is grabbed by the tail, it can shed the skin and tip, and the injury can become infected. Chewy adds that the lost part won't grow back. PDSA calls this tail slip and links it to extreme fear or poor handling.

9. It's a wild escape trick. Degutopia notes that wild degus often lose part of their tail to predators. A tail that comes away in a hawk's grip is better than being caught.

Are degus awake during the day?

10. Yes, which is rare for a small pet. The RSPCA says degus are active in the day and rest at night. PetMD puts their busiest time from morning to early evening.

11. They can switch shifts. Degutopia says degus can flip their body clock and become active at night if their surroundings change. In the heat of a Chilean summer, wild degus forage for about 3 hours after sunrise, shelter in their burrows for around 5 hours, then come out again about 2 hours before sunset. Crittery notes pet degus do the same on hot days, staying busier in the early morning and evening.

12. They can't sweat. Burgess says degus can't sweat, which makes heatstroke a real danger. Keep them below 20°C (68°F); our degu temperature guide explains how.

Do degus talk?

13. They have a big vocabulary. Burgess counts more than a dozen different sounds, and says young degus learn them from their parents. They chatter, squeak and warble depending on mood.

14. They drum their tails. Crittery says degus beat or drum their tails as part of how they communicate, and that urgency and body posture tell you whether a sound means excitement, happiness, fear or a fight. Our guide to degu behaviour decodes the sounds.

15. They know you. Burgess says degus recognise their owners by sight and sound, and may stand on their back legs to ask to be let out. Crittery adds they can learn their names and some voice commands. Looking for a name? Try our degu name ideas.

How do degus live in the wild?

16. They build underground towns. Burgess says wild degus live in communities of up to 100, with burrows that have separate nurseries, bedrooms and food stores. Degutopia measures the tunnels at 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in) across, 15 to 60 cm (6 to 24 in) deep and 2 m (6 ft 6 in) or more long. That's why pet degus need deep bedding to dig in.

17. They spend hours finding food. Degutopia says wild degus forage for 5 to 6 hours a day, and in summer up to 60% of their diet is fibre. They don't hibernate, but they stash food in their burrows for winter. Pet degus hoard too: the RSPCA asks you to check their stores and remove anything spoiled.

18. There's safety in numbers. Degutopia lists barn owls, short-eared owls, black-chested buzzards and culpeo foxes among their predators, and says bigger groups spot danger from further away. Burgess explains that movement overhead frightens degus, which is why a cage should have a solid roof.

What else makes degus unusual?

19. They eat some of their droppings. Burgess and the RSPCA explain that degus eat special soft droppings, called caecotrophs, to absorb nutrients they missed the first time. It's normal and healthy.

20. Their pups are born ready to go. Crittery says degu pups are born with full fur and open eyes and can explore within a few hours. Degutopia gives a pregnancy of 86 to 93 days, an average litter of 6 and a newborn weight of about 14.6 g (half an ounce). Crittery adds that the father helps raise the young.

And one serious fact to finish: degus are prone to diabetes, which the RSPCA and PetMD both flag. That's why they need a diet that is almost sugar-free for life. Our guide to degus and sugar explains why, and the complete degu care guide covers everything else. Thinking of getting some? Start with degus as pets, and see how long degus live before you commit.