Mammals
Degu
Octodon degus · also called common degu
Foraging together across a sunlit stretch of Chilean scrubland, a colony of degus keeps in constant contact through one of the most extensive call repertoires of any rodent, each individual also seeing ultraviolet markings on its neighbours that remain completely invisible to human eyes.
Overview
The degu, Octodon degus, is a highly social, daytime-active rodent native to mountain and grassland scrubland habitat across central Chile. Its extensive vocal communication, ultraviolet vision revealing hidden fur markings, and detachable defensive tail make it one of the more behaviourally and sensorily sophisticated small rodents found anywhere in the world.
A rodent that sees a hidden world
Beyond its already unusual social sophistication and rich vocal communication, the degu’s ability to see ultraviolet light opens up an entire dimension of markings and signals completely invisible to the people who study it, hinting at a social world more complex than casual observation alone could ever reveal.
Status
Least Concern, remaining common and widespread across suitable mountain and grassland scrubland habitat throughout central Chile.
Degu: common questions
Why does the degu have such an extensive vocabulary of calls?
This species communicates using a notably large repertoire of distinct vocal calls, among the most extensive documented in any rodent species, believed to help coordinate group activity, maintain social bonds, and warn colony members of approaching predators.
Can degus really see colours humans cannot?
Yes, this species can perceive ultraviolet light, revealing markings and patterns on fur and urine that are completely invisible to human eyes, an ability believed to play a role in social communication and possibly territory marking within colonies.
What happens if a predator grabs a degu's tail?
This species has a long, tufted tail that can detach if grabbed by a predator, a defensive adaptation called tail autotomy that allows the degu to escape while the predator is left holding only the detached tail piece.
Is the degu active during the day or at night?
This species is primarily diurnal, foraging during daylight hours across open scrubland in social groups, an activity pattern that sets it apart from many other small rodent species that are more commonly active at night.