About Octodon degus (Molina, 1782)
Taxonomic Identification
Octodon degus (Molina, 1782), the common degu, is a small rodent.
Size
Its total body length ranges from 25.0 to 31.0 cm (9.8 to 12.2 inches), and its adult weight falls between 170 and 400 g (6.0 to 14.1 oz).
Body Fur Coloration
The common degu has yellow-brown fur on its upper body and creamy-yellow fur on its underparts. It has yellow fur around the eyes, and a paler fur band circling the neck.
External Appendage Morphology
It has a long, thin tail that ends in a tufted black tip, dark sparsely furred ears, and pale grey toes.
Fore Foot Structure
On its fore feet, the fifth toe is small and bears a nail instead of a claw.
Hind Foot Structure
Its hind feet are covered in bristles.
Etymology of Genus Name
The shapes of its cheek teeth resemble the number eight, which gives the genus the name Octodon.
