In the wild, degus share their habitat with several other small mammal species. These include the bennett’s chinchilla rat (Abrocoma bennettii) and tuco-tucos of the genus Ctenomys. Sharing a habitat does not establish that these species can safely share a captive enclosure. More broadly, it shares its environment with other small animals such as Akodon olivaceus, Akodon longipilis, Phyllotis darwini, Oryzomys longicaudatus, and Marmosa elegans 1.
The images used for this article were generated by the DALL.E artificial intelligence to avoid putting animals in danger.
In captivity, interspecies cohabitation is often linked to the presence of other pets kept in the same household. However, these species are very different from those the degu may encounter in nature and pose significant risks to the health and well-being of the animals.
Predation risks
Certain species such as dogs, cats, ferrets, or certain birds and reptiles pose a significant danger to the degu due to their lifestyle and diet. Indeed, the degu is a herbivorous prey animal and is prey to many birds and other carnivorous mammals. Even the most affectionate cat or calmest dog can instinctively attack a degu, whether through the cage (which can damage the tails and legs of the degu) or during an outing. The mere presence and sight of certain predators can already cause significant stress to the degu 2.
Dogs, cats, ferrets and other potential predators should not have access to the cage or to the degus during outings. The use of a room prohibited to cats, dogs, or other potentially dangerous animals is highly recommended to avoid injuries or accidents.
Risks of transmissible diseases and parasites
Some diseases are transmissible between species, as are many fungi (ringworm) and parasites (fleas, ticks, mange), etc. Cohabiting degus with untreated animals and/or those that regularly go outside, such as dogs and cats, can lead them to develop various pathologies. Maintain the preventive healthcare recommended for each species by its veterinarian. Parasite treatment should be based on the species, exposure and diagnosis; products intended for dogs or cats must not automatically be applied to degus.
Conflict risks
It is not uncommon to see pictures of degus living with chinchillas or rabbits on the Internet. In reality, these cohabitations are dangerous and can lead to conflicts and fights resulting in serious injuries. The degu is a very territorial rodent with a diurnal to crepuscular lifestyle. It already tolerates intruders of the same species poorly, which use their own species-specific signals. Other rodents or other companion animals, in addition to having different lifestyles or diets, may have very different modes of communication, which the degu will struggle to adapt to and will generate significant stress for all animals. Furthermore, the difference in size, whether in favor or against the degu, can exacerbate injuries in case of fights.
Conclusion
Interspecies cohabitation with the degu is an extremely risky endeavor, with potentially serious consequences for the health and well-being of all animals involved. The dangers of conflicts, predation, diseases, and the associated financial and emotional consequences highlight the need to avoid cohabiting the degu with another species. Keep degus with suitable degu companions rather than attempting a mixed-species enclosure.
Sources
Visticot, M.-E. C. (2002). Un nouvel animal de compagnie : l’octodon, Octodon degus. Veterinary doctoral thesis, École nationale vétérinaire d’Alfort. https://theses.vet-alfort.fr/telecharger.php?id=340
Watanabe, Shigeru, et al. (2022). Visual snake aversion in Octodon degus and C 57 BL/6 mice. Animal Cognition, 25(1), 33–41. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-021-01527-y