Degou - Chilean protein (lat.Octodon degus) is a rodent from the genus of the eight-teeth. The motherland of this animal is the foothills of the Andes of Peru and Chile. The locals call Degu a shrubby rat. And more recently, the protein degu settled in houses and apartments as a pet.
Disputes of scientists about this rodent
For the first time, European naturalists discovered the Chileanprotein in the 18th century. In the scientific world, a lot of controversy about her was conducted, since scientists did not know what kind of creature to take. It was believed that the protein dego is a relative of rats, guinea pigs, chinchillas, mice. However, after all the collected material was systematized, the controversy subsided, and it was carried to the genus of the eight-toothed sonorous.
Description of the Chilean squirrel
The rodent has a rounded head, short stumpyneck, flat nose, arched back. The front feet of the animal are shorter than the hind legs. The wool on the tail ends with a small tight brush. The coat of the coat is rough, color - gray-brown, can have an orange tint, and on the stomach - yellow-cream. The length of the animal along with the tail reaches 40 centimeters, the weight of the adult individual is 300 grams. However, when rodent content in captivity, the above parameters will be less. Many people will certainly ask how long these animals live. Actually, the squirrel century is not long. As a rule, the average life expectancy of brisk beauties does not exceed 4 years. But "under the wing" of the owner, these terms increase. Not an exception and degu-protein. How long does the animal live at home? With proper care squirrel will please you not less than 6-8 years.
Survival
Everyone knows that if a predator grabs a lizard fortail, it will just throw it away, and later grow a new one. Also, crayfish easily part with their limbs. And here the squirrel degu at sharp jerk (or strong fixing) for a tail loses the skin covering it. The skin is easily removed (just like a stocking) from the musculoskeletal base. In this case, the leather case remains with the predator, and the animal itself escapes death. Subsequently, the protein eats the tail. The wound heals quickly enough. True, then the animal becomes uncomfortable jumping and climbing, but this kind of physiology contributes to the survival of this species in nature.
Sense organs
Protein degu is characterized by poor eyesight.Thanks to the location of the eyes, a wide view is available to rodents, which helps them to react to danger in a timely manner. However, this feature does not allow you to clearly perceive objects that are at a distance. But the rumor of this animal is very sharp. Between themselves, the proteins communicate with high frequency sounds. The human ear does not perceive this range. Rodents easily distinguish sounds issued by animals in the minutes when they are subjected to aggression from the enemy, which also contributes to survival. In addition, the Chilean protein is distinguished by a highly sensitive sense of smell. When driving, she always keeps her nose up, so she can catch the finest smells that are floating in the air. This feature allows the rodent to navigate in nature.
The next organ of feeling in proteins isvibrissae. These are thin hairs that protrude the organs of touch. Thanks to them, the rodent even navigates perfectly in the night. The vibrissae are extremely sensitive, in contact with some obstacle, they give signals (nerve impulses) to the brain, due to which the animal gets an idea of the objects surrounding it. Reacting to the slightest fluctuations in air, these hairs allow the protein to estimate the distance to a particular object.
Now let's move on to the organs of taste.They are very developed in the rodent. Due to this, the animal avoids the fate of being poisoned, for it will never eat food with poisonous impurities. The Chilean protein simply will not eat foods for which it has a negative experience.
Reproduction
Reproductive maturity of the female comes in 12weeks, the male in 16. Protein degu at home can reproduce throughout the year, and in the wild, in the southern part of its range, from late February to November. In the northern regions this period is somewhat shorter. The duration of pregnancy in Chilean protein is 87-93 days. Usually from 3 to 10 babies are born. Belchata are covered with wool, have developed teeth and partly open eyes. The average calf weight is 14 grams.
The female feeds young animals with milk for 5-6 weeks, untilbelchata will not reach a certain degree of independence. A feature of the female squirrels of the Chilean protein is that they are ready for a new pairing immediately after delivery. The family of these rodents is distinguished by a division of duties and developed social behavior. Before giving birth, the female procures food independently and protects the habitat. After the birth of the offspring, she continues to obtain feed, and the protection of the family falls on the male.
Homemade protein degus
Despite the not very attractive look (wementioned that the creature is very similar to a rat), these rodents are often planted as pets. Animals are very suspicious and fearful. Before you buy a Chilean squirrel, you need to create the necessary conditions for its content. Remember that the key to peaceful coexistence of people and animals is positive emotions, both for the pet and for the owner.
Residence for Chilean squirrels
The construction of a house for your pet is veryit is important, because the animal is constantly in it. It should be cozy and comfortable. The cell should have good ventilation, be spacious (area up to 1 square meter). The height of the walls is not less than 70 cm. Plastic cells for keeping these rodents are not suitable, as at one point the proteins will peregryzut bars and scatter in your apartment. Do not place the house in such a way that direct sunlight does not reach it. In addition, the degus do not like annoying strong smells, music, running TV and high temperature. Carrying a cage on the street is not recommended, as these animals are not adapted to our climate.
Care of the Chilean squirrel
Inside the dwelling should be put pebbles, roots andThe boughs of trees, because degus likes to chew bark and wood. And they like different hiding places. In the cage, you can put the wheel, because they are very active beings, they need to constantly move around. In addition, you need to put bowls for different types of food. It is better to fix the drinking bowl on the wall.
It is better to use litter as a litterpressed maize cobs, white paper or rags. Sawdust is not recommended, as rodents often have an allergic reaction to them. Cleaning should be carried out as much as possible, but at least once a month. Once a day you need to put a bath with sand, in which squirrels like to swim. After the end of the procedure, it should be cleaned, otherwise the rodent uses the tank for other purposes (instead of the toilet).
Protein degu: what to feed?
In nature, these animals feed on dry herbs,bark of trees, roots and seeds of plants. Here on this and build a diet for the pet. In pet stores special fodders are sold, adapted for Chilean protein. If you do not like this option, then the mixture can be done by yourself. They need to include different grains, oat flakes, cereals, dried peas. In addition, hay is a very important component of the rodents menu, so it should always be present in the feeder. Also, the degus should eat at least 50 grams of fresh green grass a day. Chilean squirrel eats apples and pears, carrots, radishes, cauliflower with pleasure. However, before giving the animal vegetables and fruits, they must be thoroughly rinsed in running water and wiped dry. Nuts and sunflower seeds are considered a special treat, but do not abuse these foods, because your pet will begin to have health problems due to obesity.
