- Origin: Chile
- Order: Rodentia
- Suborder: Hysticomorpha
The degu or octodon is found on the western slopes of the Andes in steppes and plateaux near coppices, rocks and walls. It lives at altitudes of up to 1,200 metres and is the most common rodent in central Chile. It lives in galleries or burrows in small clans made up of one male and several females. These clans form colonies of around a hundred individuals. They are not much appreciated by the locals, who consider them a nuisance, as they feed on their crops.
The gestation period is around 90 days and the number of young per litter varies, usually between five and six, but can reach 12, several times a year. The young are suckled by the mother for 3 to 4 weeks and quickly reach sexual maturity: 6 to 8 weeks for females and around 3 months for males.
IUCN Status : least concern (Appendix III)