Degus inhabit the semi-arid (partially desert-like) regions of central Chile8
, 108.
They are found to live in regions from sea level to around 1,200 m - 3,500 m11
, 24
, 30
, 52
on the west slope of the Andes33
, 52,
from about 27º - 38º south26
, 52
(interestingly, research has shown that the degu is poorly adapted to survive at high altitudes!52).
The terrain is characterised by open scrubland which is subjected to summer droughts12.
Chile is located in the matorral geographic zone19
, 109,
which contains a typical scrub ecosystem with very diverse flora and fauna24.
Matorral vegetation is sclerophyllous or 'evergreen scrub'28.
Open habitat is found to consist of 90 % grasses and small herbs28
, 109
and 15 % shrubs and small trees28.
Central Chile has a Mediterranean climate, characterised by hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters19
, 28
, 109
, 121.
There is an average rainfall of 376 mm28
, 140,
with 65 % of the total rainfall occurring in the winter28
, 140
and 3 % occurring in the summer28
, 140
when temperatures are highest28.
Chilean winter is from June - August28,
while the summer occurs in December - March28.
Summer solstice occurs early December, autumn equinox occurs late March, winter equinox occurs early June and spring solstice occurs
early September109.
These high temperatures and low rainfall cause droughts throughout the Chilean summer28
, 140.
Temperatures range from 0ºC in winter to 40ºC in summer28.
Skies are typically clear and thus there is little day-to-day change in the thermal profile109.
In 1999, densities of degus in their natural habitat was 40 - 80 individuals per hectare51,
although densities have varied from 10 - 259 per hectare52.
These densities are highest in the spring, when juveniles enter the population52.
>VEGETATION<
Wild degus must match their foraging and digestion habits to seasonal changes in quantity and availability of food8
, 28
, 148,
as they are limited to specific foraging areas around their burrows148.
Throughout most of the year, however, their foraging diet consists of the green leaves of grasses, forbs and shrubs native to the area19
, 140,
as well as seeds140.
During the autumn and winter months, degus collect and store more food in their burrows for consumption when food is scarce51.
The most common shrubs in the area (and those on which degus occasionally feed) include19
, 28
, 61
, 52
, 109:
-Chaparral Broom, Romerillo, Mulefat (some varieties are TOXIC)
-Litre -Asteraceae family Proustia cuneifolia
-Huañil Atriplex repunda
-Acacia bush
-Papilionaceae
-Guayacán , Palo santo
-Goosefoot
-Tevo, Trevu
-Soap bush
The most common herbs in the area (and those on which degus mostly feed) include19
, 52
, 140:
From midsummer to early winter, most herbs are dried29
, 109.
Although the nutritional quality of forage varies, it has been demonstrated that degus selectively consume less Guayacan61
and Asteraceae61
as these are particularly nutritionally poor for the degu61.
Degus get most of their water from the plants they consume, although this varies depending on the time of year. For example, Vulpea spp. and
Erodium spp. contain 70.6 % and 76.9 % water, respectively, during winter140,
but just 5.7 % and 2.8 % during summer140.
Degus are reported to eat the bark of the following species52:
Cestrum parqui
-Palqui, Parqui, Hediondilla, Green Cestrum (Note that all parts of this plant are known to be TOXIC to livestock and humans) Mimosa (Acacia) cavenia
-Acacia bush
>PESTICIDES<
It is interesting to note that some research has been done into pesticides used in Chile. It was found that Malathion, a pesticide used in Chilean
agriculture, can cause chronic kidney damage38
and renal alteration116
in the degu if they ingest plant matter treated with it38.
Malathion also causes structural damage to the placenta of pregnant degus112,
resulting in foetal death and/or decreased weight and size of pup litters112.
The dosage required for harmful effect has been found to be 436 mg kg-1 in the adult (female) degu116.
This has serious implications for degus living near agricultural sites and may be contributing to the steady decline of degu colonies in central Chile.
-Chaparral Broom, Romerillo, Mulefat (some varieties are TOXIC)