Degu Lifestyle Quiz

1. On average, how many years do pet degus live for?
a) 6-8 years
b) 8-10 years
c) 4-6 years
d) 2-3 years

Wrong! Try again...

Wrong!
Pet degus live for 6-8 years if in a healthy, stress-free environment. This is a comparatively long time for a small mammal. In the wild, degus live slightly longer (8-10 years), but can live up to 15! This is mostly due to the stronger gene pool wild degus come from.

Correct!
Pet degus live for 6-8 years if in a healthy, stress-free environment. This is a comparatively long time for a small mammal. In the wild, degus live slightly longer (8-10 years), but can live up to 15! This is mostly due to the stronger gene pool wild degus come from.

2. When should you let your degus out of their cage?
a) At midnight
b) When the sun is in their cage
c) In the morning and evening
d) When they have to be cleaned out

Wrong! Try again...

Wrong!
You should let your degus out at least once a day. It's best if you let them out in the morning and evening as this correlates to their foraging behaviour pattern and are most active at these times. Degus are asleep during the night so will not want to run around at midnight! If your degus cage is in the sun MOVE it straight away, the heat could kill your degus.

Correct!
You should let your degus out at least once a day. It's best if you let them out in the morning and evening as this correlates to their foraging behaviour pattern and are most active at these times. Degus are asleep during the night so will not want to run around at midnight! If your degus cage is in the sun MOVE it straight away, the heat could kill your degus.

3. If your degu is unfortunate enough to live on their own, you should...?
a) Give them more of your time and attention and let them out more
b) Buy another single degu to put in their cage
c) Fill the cage with toys and cardboard so they don't get bored
d) Put their cage in the window so they can see people going by

Wrong! Try again...

Wrong!
A single degu will always need a lot more attention from you as they are social animals and can become depressed on their own. Never put a strange degu in with another degu as they could argue and fight if not used to each other. Cluttering up your degus cage will give them less room to exercise and can stress them. NEVER put your degus cage in the window as it could get hot when the sun comes out.

Correct!
A single degu will always need a lot more attention from you as they are social animals and can become depressed on their own. Never put a strange degu in with another degu as they could argue and fight if not used to each other. Cluttering up your degus cage will give them less room to exercise and can stress them. NEVER put your degus cage in the window as it could get hot when the sun comes out.

4. Your degus are running around the room and one comes up to you. What should you do?
a) Talk quietly to them in a soothing voice
b) Put your hand out slowly for them to sniff and groom
c) Gently rub them behind their ear and on their belly
d) All of the above

Wrong! Try again...

Wrong!
All these things will encourage your degu to develop trust towards you and bond with you. Given time, your degu will learn to see you as another degu which is a very special achievement.

Correct!
All these things will encourage your degu to develop trust towards you and bond with you. Given time, your degu will learn to see you as another degu which is a very special achievement.

5. Degus can be wary of new environments but adapt quickly to change. The most stressful change of environment for a degu is...?
a) Moving house
b) Taking your degus home from the pet shop
c) Putting your degus cage outside in the shade for a few hours on a nice day
d) Moving your degus cage into a warmer room

Wrong! Try again...

Wrong!
Although all of these things have the potential to be stressful to your degus, if you ensure the change is as smooth as possible for them your degus will be fine. HOWEVER, moving your degus cage to a warm room is the MOST stressful for your degus as they are unable to escape from the heat and may find it hard to adjust their body temperature. Not only could your degu die of hyperthermia, but the stress could kill them first.

Correct!
Although all of these things have the potential to be stressful to your degus, if you ensure the change is as smooth as possible for them your degus will be fine. HOWEVER, moving your degus cage to a hot room is the MOST stressful for your degus as they are unable to escape from the heat and may find it hard to adjust their body temperature. Not only could your degu die of hyperthermia, but the stress could kill them first.