Degu is an amazing animal

Degu is an animal that is not widely known among pet lovers. This charming animal refers to the detachment of the Rodent and externally, according to the reviews of the fans of this creature, resembles a cross between a jerboa, chinchilla and squirrels. In size it is small: about 0.15 meters is the body length and about 0.1 m is the length of the charming tail with a brush on the end. The pet weighs up to 0.3 kilograms.

What are the characteristics of degu? The animal is an agricultural pest in wild conditions, since it eagerly uses the plants cultivated by farmers. But for many years all over the world they have been kept as pets and used in experiments on the treatment of diabetes, because animals categorically do not tolerate sugar. The rodent is fed with quality hay and a special food for chinchillas. As a treat, mini-portions of cabbage, carrots, green apple, cucumber are suitable. Sweet and dairy products, cookies, bread are forbidden. Cheese is also not given to animals, because they are not mice.

Degu is an animal-long-liver by the standards of his family. It is believed that in captivity with good care they can live five or more years (there are eight-year copies). The positive aspect is that the rodent feeds only on herbal food, so the results of its vital activity are almost odorless. In addition, it is active during the day, and at night it sleeps peacefully, which does not create additional problems for owners.

What else is interesting about this animal? Degou refers to those rare pets that can not be washed with water. Instead, the breeders buy for him special sand or calcine the river, in which the animal swims and cleans its gray-brown fur. The rodent practically does not make loud noises, is sociable, loves his fellow men, with whom he "speaks" in a language similar to bird whistles.

Degu is a very smart animal. Owners say that the rodent quickly develops in a new place, after a few days is already given in hand, and after a couple of weeks even responds to the name received. To the pet was comfortable, it is recommended to buy a large cage (width and height from 0.5 meters, depth - from 0.4 m). It installs a pallet with high sides, securely attached "lazalki", "houses", hammocks and a wheel for running. A couple of times a week there is also a "bath" with a sand.

In the dwelling of the animal there must always be water, preferably in a heavy glass bowl, so that the animal does not eat, for example, its plastic variants. In addition, the bottom of the cell is spread out with chips without dyes and fragrances, branches of birch, willow, currant, so that the rodent can grind the teeth. The cage should not stand in a draft or near a source of strong noise. There were cases when rodents "protested" against playing rock with a strong whistle.

As you can see in many photos, the degu is a curious animal, so the rods in the cage need to be well adjusted, they should not be dyed (the animal can gnaw and swallow it). Doorknobs better to lock on extra wire. Experts advise a couple of times a week under personal supervision to release a degus to run around the apartment. Beforehand, you need to lock the cats and dogs, and watch that the pet does not bite the wire. In some cases, a walking ball is used to entertain the animal, in which the degus can very willingly move through the rooms. In this case, the risk of collision with other pets is minimized.