Common degu (Octodon degus)

Short answers

Common degu: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 150×50×150 cm for 2 animals, +20 % for each additional animal (recommended size per the Kaninchenwiese small mammal overview 2025); all levels together should add up to at least 2 m² of floor space (bmt degu leaflet 2023). Legal minimum in Austria 100×50×100 cm per pair plus 20 % per additional animal, Switzerland 0.5 m² for two animals. Wooden wheel with a back wall, at least 30 cm in diameter.

Common degu: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–24 °C room temperature; degus tolerate heat poorly – above about 25 °C and in direct sun there is a risk of heatstroke.

Common degu: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not needed – diurnal, but room light with a natural day-night cycle is enough; a bright spot without direct sun is ideal.

Common degu: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–8 years, usually 5–7 years.

Common degu: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–24 °C room temperature; degus tolerate heat poorly – above about 25 °C and in direct sun there is a risk of heatstroke.

Humidity

40–60 % (normal indoor air); avoid permanently humid air.

UVB

Not needed – diurnal, but room light with a natural day-night cycle is enough; a bright spot without direct sun is ideal.

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 150×50×150 cm for 2 animals, +20 % for each additional animal (recommended size per the Kaninchenwiese small mammal overview 2025); all levels together should add up to at least 2 m² of floor space (bmt degu leaflet 2023). Legal minimum in Austria 100×50×100 cm per pair plus 20 % per additional animal, Switzerland 0.5 m² for two animals. Wooden wheel with a back wall, at least 30 cm in diameter.

Substrate

At least 10 cm (Austrian minimum), better 20–40 cm deep bedding of small-animal litter with hay and straw for digging; plus a sand bath with chinchilla bathing sand (never bird sand). No cat litter.

Feeding

Food

Plenty of high-quality hay daily, grain-free and sugar-free mixes of dried herbs and vegetables, fresh or dried leafy branches (apple, pear, hazel), meadow and kitchen herbs, some carrot or fennel tops and a small portion of vegetables. No fruit and no sweet treats – degus quickly develop diabetes.

Feeding interval

Hay and water at all times; dry food once a day, fresh food once or twice a day in small portions. Change diet slowly, as the gut is sensitive.

Key facts

Adult size

Head-body length 12–20 cm, tail 10–16 cm with a terminal tuft; weight 170–300 g.

Life expectancy

5–8 years, usually 5–7 years.

Origin

Scrubland and slopes of the Andean foothills in west-central Chile.

Protection status

No wildlife-protection papers needed, not on the EU invasive species list; not threatened according to the IUCN.

Brumation

None – steady room temperature all year round.

Cohabitation

Group. Degus are highly social and must never live alone; small groups of 2–4 or more are recommended, e.g. all-female groups, same-sex pairs or a neutered male with several females. Solitary housing is prohibited in Switzerland.

Notes

Degus are escape artists and chew through plastic and soft wood – build enclosures from metal or hard, non-toxic wood. Never hold the tail: the tail skin can tear off (a defence mechanism) and does not grow back.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Common degu (Octodon degus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Chinchilla (long-tailed chinchilla) (Chinchilla lanigera) – Intermediate
• African pygmy mouse (Mus minutoides) – Intermediate
• Four-toed hedgehog (African pygmy hedgehog) (Atelerix albiventris) – Intermediate
• Fat-tailed gerbil (Pachyuromys duprasi) – Intermediate
• Gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) – Intermediate
• Cairo spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) – Intermediate
• Natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis) – Intermediate
• Barbary striped grass mouse (Lemniscomys barbarus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Common degu (Octodon degus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 150×50×150 cm for 2 animals, +20 % for each additional animal (recommended size per the Kaninchenwiese small mammal overview 2025); all levels together should add up to at least 2 m² of floor space (bmt degu leaflet 2023). Legal minimum in Austria 100×50×100 cm per pair plus 20 % per additional animal, Switzerland 0.5 m² for two animals. Wooden wheel with a back wall, at least 30 cm in diameter.), substrate (At least 10 cm (Austrian minimum), better 20–40 cm deep bedding of small-animal litter with hay and straw for digging; plus a sand bath with chinchilla bathing sand (never bird sand). No cat litter.), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.