Walddegu

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Walddegu
Systematics
Subordination : Porcupine relatives (Hystricomorpha)
Partial order : Hystricognathi
without rank: Guinea Pig Relatives (Caviomorpha)
Family : Trug rats (Octodontidae)
Genre : Shrub rats ( Octodon )
Type : Walddegu
Scientific name
Octodon bridgesi
Waterhouse , 1845

The Walddegu ( Octodon bridgesi ) is a rodent from the family of the Trug rats (Octodontidae). It is a close relative of the common degus, which is also kept as a pet in Europe .

Forest degus are rodents with a large, massive head and short neck. Their fur is brownish in color, the tail is relatively long and has no tassel. With a head body length of up to 20 centimeters and a tail length of up to 16 centimeters, the forest degu is slightly larger than the common degu.

Forest degus are native to southern Chile , their range extends from the 34th to at least the 40th parallel south. They also live in the neighboring Argentine province of Neuquén and are therefore the only type of degus that is not restricted to Chile .

Little is known about the way of life. They live in forests where they inhabit caves in the earth. In contrast to ordinary degus, they should be nocturnal.

In part of its range, the forest degu has become extinct, today it only lives in three separate regions. The once common species is now considered rare. Although it is listed as not endangered by the IUCN , this is out of date.

literature

  • Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
  • Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. 2 volumes. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .

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