General description
The common degu, Octodon degus, is a South American rodent in the family Octodontidae. It belongs to the hystricomorph group, which also includes guinea pigs and chinchillas. In the wild it is native to Chile, occupying temperate, relatively dry landscapes, including sites at roughly 1,200–1,800 metres and habitats at other elevations. It uses open areas and cover in ways that balance feeding opportunities and exposure to predators; its habitat cannot be reduced to one altitude band or a complete avoidance of dense vegetation.
Degus excavate extensive underground burrows. These provide shelter from temperature extremes and predators, with more stable conditions than the exposed surface. Human activity also affects them: in agricultural areas they can be regarded as pests because of damage to crops.
In France the degu is legally a non-domestic species. The regulatory category covering other rodents allows certain non-professional holdings of up to 40 animals without a certificate of capacity, but cumulative numbers, the nature of the activity and other obligations must also be considered. The number 40 is not an unrestricted exemption for every breeding or commercial operation. Consult the legislation article before acquiring or breeding animals.
Degus appeal to many carers because they are inquisitive, intelligent and capable of learning familiar routines. Taming requires patience and respect for the individual: confidence and tolerance of handling vary.
Physical characteristics
An adult’s head-and-body length is approximately 13–20 cm, excluding the tail. Body weight is often around 170–300 g, with variation according to age, sex, season and condition. The tail ends in a conspicuous dark brush.
The tail skin can detach when caught, a process known as degloving or autospasy. In the wild this may help an animal escape a predator, but it is a serious injury in a pet. The exposed tissues can dry and the affected tail segment may be lost. It does not regrow. Never lift or restrain a degu by its tail, and seek veterinary advice after an injury.
The broad head has mobile, rounded ears covered with fine hair. Longer pale hairs protect the ear openings. The dark, almond-shaped eyes sit on the sides of the head, providing a broad field of view, and are surrounded by a lighter ring. Smell helps degus identify members of their social group. Sensitive whiskers provide tactile information, including when moving through dark burrows.
Degus have 20 teeth: four incisors, four premolars and twelve molars. Both incisors and cheek teeth grow continuously. The visible front surfaces of the incisors normally become yellow-orange; this does not mean that every tooth should be orange. An unusual change in incisor colour, particularly with other symptoms, merits assessment, but colour alone cannot diagnose a deficiency or guarantee dental health.
The natural coat is agouti: individual hairs have darker regions around a paler brown or beige band. Selective breeding has produced other coat appearances, including black, blue, cream and extensive white patching.
Sexing relies particularly on the distance between the anus and the urogenital opening, which is greater in males. Both sexes have a visible genital protrusion, so its presence does not identify a male. Have young animals checked by an experienced person before arranging mixed-sex housing. Reports of very early maturity, sometimes around seven to eight weeks in females and approximately twelve weeks in males, are a reason to prevent accidental breeding; they are not recommended breeding ages or guaranteed safe deadlines.
Social life and behaviour
Degus are social animals. Wild population densities can sometimes approach 300 animals per hectare, but that does not mean that every social group contains 300 individuals. In captivity, compatible companionship is central to welfare: an established pair or small group, often two or three animals, is a practical starting point.
Introducing an unfamiliar degu requires quarantine where appropriate and a gradual, carefully supervised process, including neutral territory. Do not simply place a stranger in an established group. Females and males can both form stable groups and both can fight; compatibility cannot be guaranteed by sex alone. Monitor conflict, particularly as young animals mature.
A neutered male may sometimes live with females, but neutering is not a universal remedy for aggression. Surgery requires an individual assessment by a veterinarian experienced with degus. Female reproductive surgery is more invasive; male castration also carries anaesthetic and postoperative risks.
Degus are mainly active during daylight hours, although activity and noise can occur at night. A stable light–dark routine is preferable to assuming that they will invariably adopt a household’s schedule. They are agile, curious animals that learn about their surroundings and can develop familiar responses to their carers.
Trust develops through predictable, gentle interactions. Some animals seek strokes or climb onto a person; others prefer limited contact. Avoid grabbing or forcing contact, which can provoke defensive biting. The handling guide explains how to support the animal and give it opportunities to approach voluntarily.
Housing and equipment
An enclosure must provide room to run, climb, dig, rest and explore, with secure construction and good ventilation. A tall aviary-style enclosure can provide several levels, but height and shelves do not replace a sufficiently large continuous floor area.
The original fact sheet quoted 80 × 80 × 100 cm and 18,000 cm² of floor area as though they were equivalent. They are not: an 80 × 80 cm footprint is 6,400 cm². The CARA community guideline gives 18,000 cm² of qualifying usable surface for two or three degus, increasing with group size. It is a husbandry benchmark rather than a universally validated scientific threshold. The site’s CARA enclosure-size article discusses its recommendation and how usable space is assessed. Plan a generous enclosure for the whole group rather than treating the smaller footprint as equivalent to the larger surface.
Position the enclosure away from draughts, direct sun, excessive heat and sudden loud noise, in a place where normal household activity does not overwhelm the animals. Check all construction materials for chewing damage. Metal offers greater resistance than exposed plastic or soft timber; wooden furnishings still need regular inspection and replacement.
Bar spacing must prevent escape and entrapment. The original allowance of 2.5 cm for adults should not be treated as universally safe; the animals’ size and the design of the enclosure matter. Closer spacing, around 1–1.5 cm, is a more cautious starting point, especially for small or young animals.
Offer safe, untreated branches, such as appropriately identified apple, pear or hazel, plus stable platforms, tunnels and several shelters. A dust bath with suitable chinchilla bathing sand helps maintain the coat; use a stable container large enough for the animal to roll and avoid fine, irritating dust.
Bedding should be absorbent, low in dust and suitable for digging. Hemp or flax are options; plain, unscented paper can be added for nesting. A deep digging area, potentially 30–50 cm where the enclosure permits it, allows more substantial burrowing. A separate digging box can help, but should not be used to justify an otherwise cramped enclosure.
Exercise wheels should have a solid running surface without gaps or exposed pinch points. The original fact sheet gave 30 cm as a minimum diameter; the updated CARA guidance uses at least 33 cm for an upright wheel and 42 cm for a running saucer. Individual animals may require more space to run without bending their back. Providing more than one exercise opportunity can reduce competition. Check the wheel’s fit and condition rather than relying on diameter alone. Water bottles can help keep water clean, but require daily checks for leaks and blockages; a suitable stable bowl is another option.
Feeding
Degus are predominantly herbivorous and eat fibrous plant material. They are susceptible to metabolic disease, so avoid sugary foods and excessive energy intake. This does not mean they cannot metabolise any sugar at all, or that one feeding system can prevent every disease. See the SAB Degu Mix discussion and the article on diabetes and cataracts.
Provide good-quality, dry hay freely, along with clean water renewed regularly. Fibrous food and appropriate chewing opportunities support digestive and dental health. Assess prepared foods by their current composition, including fibre and mineral balance. The original article recommended Versele-Laga Crispy Pellets; this historical recommendation is not a verified claim that the current formula is the best product. No calcium percentage alone guarantees healthy teeth.
A selection of suitable leaves, flowers and other plant parts can add variety. Introduce new foods gradually. Avoid sugary fruit and sweetened treats, and assess vegetables individually rather than assuming that all non-leafy vegetables are identical. See the fruit and vegetable guide. Pumpkin or sunflower seeds, or a small piece of walnut or hazelnut, may be offered in controlled portions; they are energy-rich. Many commercial rodent treats are too sugary or fatty for routine use.
Health and prevention
Degus are vulnerable to several health problems, including dental disease. Mineral imbalance can contribute, but calcium deficiency is not the sole cause of every malocclusion. Tail degloving can also lead to pain, infection or further tissue injury and should not be dismissed as harmless.
Observe the animals daily and carry out a structured check at least weekly, including weight, appetite, chewing, coat, movement and behaviour. Seek care promptly when something changes. A veterinarian with experience in exotic companion mammals is best placed to assess degu-specific problems; in an emergency, contact a veterinary service without delaying simply to find a particular professional title.
Breeding and sexing
Degus can breed throughout the year in captivity, and sexual maturity may occur early. Accurate sexing and appropriate separation are therefore essential to prevent unwanted litters. The anogenital distance is useful, but an uncertain assessment should be checked by someone experienced.
The site discourages casual breeding because unwanted litters can contribute to rehoming difficulties and abandonment. Any planned breeding requires suitable facilities, knowledge of health and heredity, attention to relatedness, and a realistic plan for every offspring. Early sexual maturity does not establish physical readiness for a safe pregnancy.
Relationships with people
With patient handling, degus can learn household routines, explore simple tasks and approach familiar people for attention. Let them investigate hands or climb onto a supported arm if they choose. Exploration and gentle nibbling are different from a defensive bite, but the context and the individual’s body language matter.
They are not automatically suitable pets for young children. They require calm, respectful care and may bite hard when frightened or restrained. Watching a compatible group forage, groom one another, play and rest together is an important part of keeping them; companionship with people does not replace degu companionship.
Planning the budget
A small animal can still require substantial spending. The enclosure is a major initial expense, followed by bedding, furnishings, wheels and replacement items. The French fact sheet used more than €100 for an enclosure and at least about €20 per month for food for two degus as illustrative figures. These are historical estimates, not current quotations or guaranteed budgets.
Veterinary costs, particularly for dental disease, can be significant. The original recommendation was to keep at least €500 available as an emergency reserve; actual treatment can cost more. The site’s survey on degu veterinary costs collects owners’ experiences.
The original article also mentioned adoption contributions of approximately €15–28 per animal at Oktodon, depending on age, with photographs of the proposed enclosure requested. These describe the association’s arrangements at the time and should not be treated as a current offer or confirmation that it is accepting animals. Check any rescue organisation’s current terms directly.
Practical considerations
Degus are active, inquisitive social rodents. A spacious, varied environment makes it possible to observe foraging, mutual grooming, exploration and the subtleties of group life. Before adopting, learn about their needs, arrange compatible companionship, plan routine and emergency expenses, and prepare enough enrichment to support a stimulating life over the long term.
Sources
Octodons.fr (2025). Fiche information – L'Octodon ou dègue du Chili. Original French article, 2025-07-22. https://octodons.fr/fiche-information-octodon-degus-ou-degue-du-chili/
RSPCA (n.d.). Creating a good home for degus. https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/degus/environment
RSPCA (n.d.). What to feed a pet degu. https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/degus/diet