The Degus are a group of
octodontid
Octodontidae is a family of rodents, restricted to southwestern South America. Fourteen species of octodontid are recognised, arranged in seven genera. The best known species is the common degu, ''Octodon degus''.
Octodontids are medium-sized ...
rodent
Rodents (from Latin , 'to gnaw') are mammals of the Order (biology), order Rodentia (), which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal species are roden ...
s in the
Octodontidae
Octodontidae is a family of rodents, restricted to southwestern South America. Fourteen species of octodontid are recognised, arranged in seven genera. The best known species is the common degu, ''Octodon degus''.
Octodontids are medium-sized ...
family, but historically referred to the
common degu
The common degu (''Octodon degus''; ), or, historically, the degu, is a small hystricomorpha rodent endemic to the Chilean matorral ecoregion of central Chile. The name ''degu'' on its own indicates either the entire genus '' Octodon'' or, mo ...
(''O. degus'').
Degus are placed in two genera:
* Genus ''
Octodon
''Octodon'' is a genus of octodontid rodents native to South America, in particular in the Chilean Andes. The best-known member is the common degu, ''O. degus'', which is kept as a pet in various countries. Two of the four species of degus are no ...
''
** ''O. bridgesi'',
Bridges's degu
Bridges's degu (''Octodon bridgesii'') is a species of rodent in the family ''Octodontidae''. It is found in southern Chile. The species was named after Thomas Bridges.
Taxonomy
Ricardo Ojeda's degu (''O. ricardojedai''), which is found in A ...
, found in
Argentina
Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, t ...
and
Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the eas ...
** ''O. degus'', the
common degu
The common degu (''Octodon degus''; ), or, historically, the degu, is a small hystricomorpha rodent endemic to the Chilean matorral ecoregion of central Chile. The name ''degu'' on its own indicates either the entire genus '' Octodon'' or, mo ...
, historically referred to as just "degu", found in central Chile
** ''O. lunatus'', the
moon-toothed degu
The moon-toothed degu (''Octodon lunatus'') is a species of rodent in the family Octodontidae. It is endemic to Chile, occurring in mountainous areas along the Pacific coast in the central part of the country.
Biology and physiology
Unlike its c ...
, a nocturnal animal found in central Chile
** ''O. pacificus'', the
Mocha Island degu
The Pacific degu (''Octodon pacificus''), also known as the Mocha Island degu, is a species of rodent in the family Octodontidae. It is endemic to Mocha Island in Chile. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is ...
or
Pacific degu
The Pacific degu (''Octodon pacificus''), also known as the Mocha Island degu, is a species of rodent in the family Octodontidae. It is endemic to Mocha Island in Chile. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is ...
, a recently discovered species found exclusively on
Mocha Island
Mocha Island ( es, link=no, Isla Mocha ) is a small Chilean island located west of the coast of Arauco Province in the Pacific Ocean. The island is approximately in area, with a small chain of mountains running roughly in north-south direction. ...
, Chile
*Genus ''Octodontomys''
** ''O. gliroides'', the
mountain degu, found in the foothills of the
Andes
The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...
in
Argentina
Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, t ...
,
Bolivia
, image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg
, flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center
, flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...
and
Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the eas ...
.
{{disambiguation
Animal common name disambiguation pages