A Degu is a small Rodent with tweed brown coloured hair. They are classified as mammals related to Guinea pigs but many people now believe that they are in actuality closer in relation to rabbits. The tummy has a cream colour and they have lighter circles around the eyes. They have long whiskers, and their ears are quite big. The teeth of a healthy Degu are yellow or orange coloured.
White teeth are an indication of a serious disease.
Their Latin name is Octodon Degus . Degus were transported to Europe and North America from Chile, where they live from the West Coast to the Andes Mountains. The primary reasons for this transportation was that the animals cannot digest sugar and are very prone to Diabetes and so were used for research into this disease. Degus make good pets as they are friendly little animals and are awake during the day. They make a variety of sounds and seem to have quite a complicated language.