degus在同一个家庭中Guinea Pigs和Chinchillas这些小型挖洞啮齿动物已成为美国的流行宠物。他们是智利的原产，是倾向于生活在大型社区的社交动物，有时是100点上涨！他们制作了很大的宠物，因为它们在白天（昼夜）醒来，让他们更容易与之交互。它们与鼠标或松鼠相似，但耳朵较大，簇绒尾部和圆形蹲便器。
If you are interested in getting a Degu as a pet, we’ve created this checklist of 10 important things to know before bringing one home.
关于Degus的十大景点：
1.他们是周日
Unlike their Chinchilla cousins, Degus are diurnal, meaning they are awake during the day and sleep during the night. Guinea Pigs are also largely diurnal but tend to take frequent naps throughout the day and are awake for short periods at night too. In the wild, Degus are more likely to be crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dusk and dawn. They are adaptable animals, though, and in captivity, they can easily adapt to both nocturnal and diurnal lifestyles.
Degus are social creatures and are known to live in groups of 10 or 15 animals, and these groups then often form into colonies, numbering 100 or more in some cases. They live in communal burrows, and this social behavior is critical to their survival in the wild. While they are adaptable animals in captivity, it is still highly recommended to keep them in pairs or groups. In captivity, they are exceedingly socially tolerant and take well to new members joining their group.
3.他们需要大量的运动
Degus are active and curious animals that love to play and explore their surroundings and need loads of exercise. They do not need any specific exercise from their owners, though, as long as they have companions to interact with. Toys like balls and multi-level running tracks are great, and because these animals love to burrow, it’s highly recommended to give them a digging box filled with soil to keep them busy.
4.他们有一个久的寿命
Degus can live for 6-7 years in captivity and even longer in some cases. Compared to other rodent pets, like mice and rats that only live for 2-3 years, these animals have a fairly long lifespan. This is an important factor to think about before bringing one home, as they are a responsibility that will be around for quite a while.
5.他们是干净的
Degus喜欢清洁，新郎和沐浴自己，因此，他们是非常干净的动物，只要他们的笼子装备很好。他们喜欢在灰尘中滚动，所以你应该用陶瓷碗灰尘来玩。就像大多数啮齿动物一样，Degus喜欢咀嚼，而商业生产的木质咀嚼块将保持这种冲动。
6。They have sensitive tails
Degus are easy to tame once they get used to their human owners and are happy to be handled, but they should never be picked up by their tails. The skin and hair tuft at the end of their tails is highly sensitive and can easily come off. This is an adaptation from the wild to help them escape from predators, and if this happens, their tail can quickly become infected. It is far safer to pick them up with two hands, one behind their front legs.
7。They need a particular diet
Degus are strict herbivores and in the wild, feed on small leaves and shrubs, so they need a diet high in fiber. This makes their digestive tracts highly intolerant to sugar, and they have been known to quickly develop diabetes. In fact, these animals have been used widely in laboratories as research models to try and understand diabetes in humans. Commercially made rodent pellets (sugar-free!) are ideal and should be supplemented with leafy greens like lettuce, and they should have an unlimited supply of hay in their enclosure at all times.
8。They form close bonds with their owners
随着渐魔是社会动物，他们众所周知，他们与他们的主人形成强烈的债券。他们将通过视线和嗅觉识别其他傻瓜和他们的人主，并且众所周知，众所周知，他们的后腿站起来，表明他们想从笼子里出来并打个招呼！
9.他们是高度领土
虽然Degus是社会动物，特别是在野外，它们可以在与同性其他脱果置于相同的乐园时是高度领土。男性与其他男性一起坐着，特别是当在视线中有女性时，很可能会争斗并变得侵略性。此外，Degus是多产的育种者，所以除非你想要婴儿，男性和女性应该是理想的。
10。他们需要大量的空间
Degus喜欢洞穴，理想地需要一个装满土壤的挖箱，让他们忙碌。另外，Degus需要一个大的笼子，越大越好，特别是当将多个动物放在一起时。因为脱酷是多产的咀嚼者，所以具有实心地板的金属笼是最好的，并且具有多个级别的笼子将使它们保持活跃和娱乐。Degus将在笼子之外的日常时光，虽然它们是快速移动的，但应在这些时间仔细监测。
Featured Image: Tom Meaker, Shutterstock
