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Degu - OCTODON DEGUS
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Degu": "Degu" is probably a native South American word for the animal, but this is unknown for sure.
Location: Chile.
Habitat: Terrestrial. Open areas, thickets, and stone walls.
Description: The soft coat is yellow-brown dorsally and cream-colored underneath. The distal half of the tail is black, with a black tuft. The ears are quite large, dark but sparsely furred. The legs are pale gray and the feet have four well-developed toes, with a much smaller fifth toe. The hind feet have long bristles projecting over the claws. The degu grows to about a foot in length, with another eight inches for the tail. It weighs about a half pound.
Behavior: The degu feeds on grass, bark, leaves, and seeds. Although it does not hibernate, it puts aside a food reserve for the winter months. It lives in colonies that may reach a population density of 75 per acre. It can best be seen in early morning or late afternoon running with its tail in the air, or climbing in bushes and trees in search of food. The burrow is a complex network of underground chambers and tunnels, the entrances to which are often covered with twigs or cow dung.
Reproduction: The female reproduces twice a year and has eight nipples. After the gestation period of 90 days the female gives birth to four to six young, which are born hairless and blind. After a month to a month and a half, the young are weaned, and the adults bring grass and leaves to the nest for them. The young may reach sexual maturity as early as 45 days, but usually later.
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