Mountain degu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain degu |
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| Conservation status | |
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Octodontomys
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| Species: |
gliroides
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The mountain degu (Octodontomys gliroides) is a small, furry animal that belongs to the rodent family called Octodontidae. It's the only species in its group, Octodontomys. You can find these interesting creatures living in the mountains of the Andes in countries like Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile.
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What Does a Mountain Degu Look Like?
The mountain degu is a medium-sized rodent. It can be about 200 to 380 millimeters (8 to 15 inches) long. This measurement includes its tail, which is about 100 to 190 millimeters (4 to 7.5 inches) long. A mountain degu usually weighs between 100 and 200 grams (3.5 to 7 ounces).
Their fur is long and very soft. The top part of their body is a greyish-brown color. Their chin is pure white, and their belly is also white, but with grey at the base of the hairs. They have a small tuft of white hair right in front of their large ears. These ears are covered in short grey hair.
The mountain degu's tail is thin and has two colors: dark on top and pale underneath. The very tip of the tail has a tuft of brown or yellowish-brown hairs. Young mountain degus have darker fur on their backs. Their undersides are greyer, and their tails are brownish with a dark brown or black tuft at the end.
Where Do Mountain Degus Live?
You can find mountain degus in the mountains of southwestern Bolivia, northwestern Argentina, and northern Chile. They live at many different heights in the mountains. Some are found as low as 200 to 300 meters (650 to 980 feet) in Jujuy Province in Argentina. Others live as high as 4,400 meters (14,400 feet) in Potosí Department in Bolivia.
The mountain degu is the only type of octodontid rodent that lives in the highest parts of its range. They prefer dry, rocky areas. Their homes often have tall cacti, shrubs, and other small plants.
Mountain Degu Behaviour
Mountain degus are mostly active during the day. They are also herbivores, which means they only eat plants. These rodents don't have special bones or limbs for digging long tunnels. However, they do dig short burrows. They also like to live under rocks or inside caves.
Their tail can be used as a prop when they are climbing. If a predator grabs their tail, they can drop it off. This is called autotomy, and it helps them escape danger.
Mountain degus are social animals. They communicate with each other using many different sounds. These include low, medium, and high-pitched gurgles, twitters, and squeaks.
They eat the leaves and bark of shrubs. In winter, they might eat Acacia seed pods. In summer, they enjoy eating cactus fruits. Mountain degus can get all the water they need from their food, especially from cacti. This means they don't need to drink much extra water.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Scientists don't know a lot about how mountain degus reproduce. However, young degus at different stages of growth have been seen in November. Pregnant females and young have also been found in January and May.
It is thought that a mountain degu pregnancy lasts about 105 days. A mother degu usually gives birth to one to three babies at a time. When the pups are born, they are quite developed. Their eyes are already open, and they have a good amount of fur. This means they are precocial and can move around soon after birth.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the mountain degu as a species of "least concern". This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
There are several reasons for this status. Mountain degus are found over a wide area. Their population is believed to be large. They also live in some protected areas. Plus, they seem to be able to handle some changes to their habitat.
See also
In Spanish: Soco para niños
