Degu

Scientific name: Octodon degus
Size:25-30cm including tail
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Natural range: Chile

Housing

• aquarium with wire mesh lid is best but a large rat type cage with a solid bottom also works
• allow at least 50gal per pair
• very social and should be housed in same sex pairs
• Bedding: aspen or corn cob
• Accessories: solid full-sized rat wheel, nest box, wood chews

Food

• mixture of high quality commercial cavy pellet and rodent blocks
• free access to timothy hay
• fresh veggies occassionally
• do not offer any foods, fresh or otherwise, that contain sugar as they cannot digest it

Breeding

• Maturity: 6 months old
• Gestation: 80-90 days
• Litter size: 3-5
• both parents raise the young
• young are fully furred and open eyes within hours of birth
• should be fully weaned by 5 weeks old