Degu

Degus breed once a year, usually at the beginning of the rainy season, which coincides with the onset of winter in the southern hemisphere. Gestation lasts about three months, and the young are born with their eyes open, covered with fur and able to perceive sounds. Weaning lasts about four weeks, and a litter may consist of 4 to 9 individuals, although the average is four to five young.

They naturally inhabit northern and western Chile, on the western slopes of the Andes up to 1200m. They are active during the day, colonial and excavate elaborate burrow systems. Feeding on the ground and climbing branches, they eat leaves, bark, seeds and fruits.

Degus face challenges such as habitat loss, overexploitation of species, pollution, invasive species and climate change. These threats affect their survival and biodiversity in general.

They are herbivores and feed on leaves, bark and seeds of shrubs and grasses. They prefer young leaves and avoid woody shrubs.