Degus are very sociable and in the wild they live in colonies of up to 100 animals! They are best kept in single-sex pairs or groups of up to 6 as they love to play together and snuggle up to one another, and can become very depressed if kept on their own.
In addition, given that degus are prey species, they can be kept in homes with other pets, such as cats and dogs, as long as these naturally predatory animals are kept away from degus and are never around them unsupervised.
Moreover, What is a group of degus called?
Degus are highly social animals; social contacts are crucial for their welfare. In the wild, degus live in groups of 10 to 15 animals of both sexes. Several groups form a colony. Separate hierarchies exist for males and females in each group.
Secondly, What’s better chinchilla or Degu?
Chinchillas and degus can make excellent pets. They can be very active with great personalities. Chinchillas are nocturnal which means that they are most active at night, and they have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. Degus are diurnal (most active during the day) and can live for 6 to 8 years.
Simply so, What kind of animal is a Degu?
The degu is a member of the Octodontidae family of rodents. They’re in the sub-order caviomorpha, which means they’re related to guinea pigs and chinchillas although recent studies show that they may actually be closer in relation to rabbits.
How long can degus be left alone?
Since degus are social and friendly animals, you should be able to put your degus in one cage without a lot of problems. There will be some squabbles to establish hierarchy but this will only take a few weeks and will be limited in length.
20 Related Question Answers Found
Are chinchillas better than hamsters?
We believe chinchillas are the better pet, because they’re softer, no more expensive or difficult to care for, and live longer than hamsters. Both require training to be tolerate handling, and both require occasional veterinary care. You can have both but you can’t keep chinchillas and hamsters in the same cage.
Is a Degu a chinchilla?
The degu is a small caviomorph rodent that originates from Chile. They’re a distant relative of the chinchilla and guinea pig. Degus are said to be a social animal, thus making them the ideal pet for your home. Degus often prefer to live in pairs as they will be most happy with a cage mate.
Can degus live on their own?
Can degus live alone? Degus are social animals that live in large groups in the wild. In general, it’s recommended to keep at least a pair of degus. There are some rare cases where a degu is (temporarily) kept as a solitary pet.
Is a Degu a good pet?
To be healthy and happy, degus should be kept as pets in pairs or groups. As pets, they typically live 5-8 years. Degus can become very tame if handled regularly and from an early age. They are playful and curious creatures and, like most rodents, love to chew everything.
Can Degu and Chinchilla live together?
However, although chinchillas may tolerate degus, it is quite a risk to put a chinchilla and degu together and hope that they get along. The chinchilla is more likely to show bullying behavior and cause a great deal of stress for the degu. They are best kept separated and with their own kind as much as possible.
Are degus smart?
Degus are very intelligent and inquisitive little animals which originally come from Chile. They are highly social, therefore should be housed with other degus, and they enjoy digging burrows.
Are degus good pets?
To be healthy and happy, degus should be kept as pets in pairs or groups. As pets, they typically live 5-8 years. Degus can become very tame if handled regularly and from an early age. They are playful and curious creatures and, like most rodents, love to chew everything.
Can degus and chinchillas live together?
The reason that it’s not a good idea to keep them together is because of their sleeping patterns. The fact that chinchillas are nocturnal and degus are diurnal creatures can cause problems for both creatures as they can disturb each other when they sleep. This could cause issues in their relationship.
Do degus fight to the death?
Degus will tend to fight more during the breeding season, which is winter-spring time, as the breeding hormones cause a greater need for dominance. This is serious fighting, and can cause injury, as both Degus are unwilling to back down and fight to the death.
Are degus cuddly?
Degus are not to be treated like cuddly toys and physical contact with humans should be kept to a minimum. With this in mind, they are only suitable for older children and adults who understand and accept that these rodents prefer to be observed rather than stroked. Degus love nothing more than to gnaw at things.
What category is a chinchilla?
Chinchillas are either of two species (Chinchilla chinchilla and Chinchilla lanigera) of crepuscular rodents of the parvorder Caviomorpha. They are slightly larger and more robust than ground squirrels, and are native to the Andes mountains in South America.
Can chinchillas live with hamsters?
Hamsters and chinchillas are unlikely to get along and should not be kept in the same living environment. If you decide to keep hamsters and chinchillas in the same general area or room, you’ll need to use a cover to prevent the animals from seeing one another and avoid aggressive or territorial behaviors.
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