Degu Fact Quiz

1. What colours are sensitive to the degu's retina (what colours can they see)?
a) Blue and red
b) UV only
c) Green and blue-UV
d) Red and green

Wrong! Try again...

Wrong!
Degu retinas have two types of cone. One type is sensitive to the frequency corresponding to green light, while the other type is sensitive to the frequency produced by UV light and blue light towards the start of the UV spectrum. This allows degus to visualise UV sources in their environment, such as degu ventral fur and fresh urine marks. These are not visible to humans normally as we lack the cones in our eyes to detect UV light.

Correct!
Degu retinas have two types of cone. One type is sensitive to the frequency corresponding to green light, while the other type is sensitive to the frequency produced by UV light and blue light towards the start of the UV spectrum. This allows degus to visualise UV sources in their environment, such as degu ventral fur and fresh urine marks. These are not visible to humans normally as we lack the cones in our eyes to detect UV light.

2. What does the name 'Octodon degus' mean?
a) Rabbit face rat
b) Brush tail mouse
c) Eight molar cavy
d) Eight tooth grazer

Wrong! Try again...

Wrong!
The Latin name Octodon degus translates as eight (oct) tooth (dens) grazer (derived from degusto: to taste/graze). The naturalist who discovered degus must have derived their name from aspects of their anatomy and behaviour.

Correct!
The Latin name Octodon degus translates as eight (oct) tooth (dens) grazer (derived from degusto: to taste/graze). The naturalist who discovered degus must have derived their name from aspects of their anatomy and behaviour.

3. What special feature of female degu reproductive physiology must you take into account when breeding?
a) Female degus are induced ovulators
b) Female degus can only breed once per year
c) Female degus only have one mate
d) Female degus will attack the male after he has mated with her

Wrong! Try again...

Wrong!
Female degus are induced ovulators, meaning they will only ovulate and become fertile in the presence of a male degu. Prior to breeding, the female should be placed somewhere so she can see, hear and smell the male. Although wild degus are seasonal breeders and only breed once per year, captive degus can breed 2-4 times a year throughout the year. Although wild degus will usually have one male that mates with all females in the group, degus often mate with more than one partner. Female degus will never fight with the male as long as they are both familiar with each others company.

Correct!
Female degus are induced ovulators, meaning they will only ovulate and become fertile in the presence of a male degu. Prior to breeding, the female should be placed somewhere so she can see, hear and smell the male. Although wild degus are seasonal breeders and only breed once per year, captive degus can breed 2-4 times a year throughout the year. Although wild degus will usually have one male that mates with all females in the group, degus often mate with more than one partner. Female degus will never fight with the male as long as they are both familiar with each others company.

4. Degus can shed their tails as an antipredatory mechanism. Which other mammalian species have this ability?
a) This is a feature unique to degus
b) Some species of rat, gerbil and chipmunk
c) Viscachas
d) Some species of tree porcupine

Wrong! Try again...

Wrong!
The ability of the degu to shed their tail when captured by it is a highly adaptive mechanism. It is therefore not surprising that other species have evolved with the ability to shed their tails.

Correct!
The ability of the degu to shed their tail when captured by it is a highly adaptive mechanism. It is therefore not surprising that other species have evolved with the ability to shed their tails.

5. Degus can reverse entrain and become nocturnal to adapt to environmental change. Which of the following could cause your degus to invert their circadian rhythm patterns?
a) Degus have continual access to a running wheel
b) Degus are fed late at night
c) You work night shifts and let your degus out very early in the morning
d) Any of the above

Wrong! Try again...

Wrong!
If your degus have continuous access to a running wheel and use it frequently, they have been shown to develop nocturnal rhythms in order to keep cool when running (it's cooler at night). However, degus can also adjust their rhythms for a variety of factors, including when they have access to food and when they are allowed to forage and explore (being let out). They are very adaptable to a variety of environmental conditions and can easily revert back to diurnal rhythms.

Correct!
If your degus have continuous access to a running wheel and use it frequently, they have been shown to develop nocturnal rhythms in order to keep cool when running (it's cooler at night). However, degus can also adjust their rhythms for a variety of factors, including when they have access to food and when they are allowed to forage and explore (being let out). They are very adaptable to a variety of environmental conditions and can easily revert back to diurnal rhythms.

Wrong!
Degus are currently classed as order Rodentia, although this is under hot debate. Since rabbits, hares and pikas recently were re-classified from the Rodentia order and now have their own order, Lagomorpha, research is being undertaken into whether caviomorphs such as degus, guinea pigs and chinchillas should have their own class, Caviomorpha. For the latest info, visit the controversy section of Degutopia.

Correct!
Degus are currently classed as order Rodentia, although this is under hot debate. Since rabbits, hares and pikas recently were re-classified from the Rodentia order and now have their own order, Lagomorpha, research is being undertaken into whether caviomorphs such as degus, guinea pigs and chinchillas should have their own class, Caviomorpha. For the latest info, visit the controversy section of Degutopia.

Wrong!
Degus spontaneously nest communally and lactating females take turns to suckle both their own pups and those of any other mothers. Degus DO NOT commit infanticide as is frequently reported in other species such as hamsters. Research has shown that although the presence of an unfamiliar male is tolerated around degu pups, he will generally pay little attention to the pups.

Correct!
Degus spontaneously nest communally and lactating females take turns to suckle both their own pups and those of any other mothers. Degus DO NOT commit infanticide as is frequently reported in other species such as hamsters. Research has shown that although the presence of an unfamiliar male is tolerated around degu pups, he will generally pay little attention to the pups.

Wrong!
Although degus can regulate the glucose they obtain through eating carbohydrates, continued feeding of sugary foods can overload the degus system and trigger diabetes. However, in normal blood sugar regulation, degus do not use the hormone insulin as other mammals would. This is thought to be due to the divergent C-terminal region of the hormone. The mechanisms by which degus do regulate blood glucose remain unclear.

Correct!
Although degus can regulate the glucose they obtain through eating carbohydrates, continued feeding of sugary foods can overload the degus system and trigger diabetes. However, in normal blood sugar regulation, degus do not use the hormone insulin as other mammals would. This is thought to be due to the divergent C-terminal region of the hormone. The mechanisms by which degus do regulate blood glucose remain unclear.

Wrong!
There are currently four species of degu. Octodon degus the common degu, Octodon bridgesi Bridge's degu, Octodon lunatus the moon-tooth degu and the recently discovered Octodon pacificus the Mocha island degu. There is also an offshoot genus, the long tailed octodons, which includes species such as the chozchoz Octodontomys gliroides.

Correct!
There are currently four species of degu. Octodon degus the common degu, Octodon bridgesi Bridge's degu, Octodon lunatus the moon-tooth degu and the recently discovered Octodon pacificus the Mocha island degu. There is also an offshoot genus, the long tailed octodons, which includes species such as the chozchoz Octodontomys gliroides.