Degu

Basic Information:

Scientific Name: Octodon degus

Habitat: Degus are found along coastal and central scrubland on the lower western slope of the Andes Mountains of Chile.

Diet: Degus are strictly herbivores. They feed on the leaves, bark, and seeds of shrubs and green grasses and thistle seeds.

Size: 0.5 to 0.6 feet long

Weight: 0.6 to 1.1 pounds

Lifespan: 6 to 8 years

Distribution Map:

I.U.C.N. Conservation Status:

What does this mean?

Least Concern – a species determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (I.U.C.N.) to be pervasive, abundant, and thriving.

Our Degus:

Betty White* (Female) – Estimated Date of Birth August 2021
Bea Arthur (Female) – Estimated Date of Birth August 2021
Rue (Female) – Estimated Date of Birth August 2021

*Betty White is a blue pied degu.

Did You Know?!

  • Degus are social and tend to live in groups of one to two males and two to five related females. Females help to raise each other’s young.
  • Degus are highly vocal and use various calls to communicate with one another.
  • A degu’s vision is very important in their avoidance of predators and in foraging. It has been shown that degus are able to see ultraviolet wavelengths!
  • Degus have an interesting way of escaping predators. If the tail is caught, a degu may spin until the skin comes loose or tail comes off.

Due to needing time to set up for our Wine in the Wilderness Event, on June 3rd the zoo will be closing to the public at 1pm! We will reopen our doors at 6pm for the event! Event tickets will still be purchasable at our gift shop during this time!