Degus are interesting little critters. They enjoy rolling around in their special dust, look like giant gerbils, and are very social creatures. It is important to know what normal behavior for a degu looks like so that you can determine whether or not something may be wrong.

Degus in the Wild

Degus are actually burrowing rodents. They live in elaborate communities where they burrow with their friends and search for food.

They have numerous vocalizations which all have a purpose in communicating to their group members. Degus use their urine to mark their territory and other degus are able to recognize the different scents. It is also thought that UV light has a social function to degus as well since the fur on their abdomen and their urine are highly reflective to the specific light wavelengths.

Normal Pet Degu Behavior

Now that you have a better understanding of what a wild degu might do in the wild you probably realize why your degu might be acting they way he does.

Urine marking a cage or mates is normal, especially for males. This is to tell other degus that these items or degus belong to him. 

Fighting can occur in newly introduced degus or with degus who are trying to test the alpha degu in the group. Since degus live in social groups they need to establish a hierarchy. They do this by fighting and urine marking. But they also play fight, just like other species do to have fun.

Vocalizations may be heard if your degu lives in a social group and especially if she has babies.

Babies need to hear these special vocalizations to properly develop. Other vocalizations may be used to warn of suspected predators, heard while they are eating, and to encourage other degus to approach. It is reported that degus have 15 different vocalizations with names such as chaffing, warbling, groaning and whining.

Your degu may try to groom you like he would his degu friends in a social group. This may include small nibbles and this does not mean your degu is biting you.

Degus are diurnal so they will be active when you are probably awake to spend time with them. They are easily hand tamed if you take the time to bond with them.

Burrowing is a natural, normal behavior that is an important part of a degu's life. Although they don't "need" to burrow in captivity we should still encourage it for good physical and mental health. Offering a digging pit filled with a mixture of soft organic soil and sand in a large storage container is an easy way to encourage this behavior (and it's great exercise, too). 

Degus keep clean by taking dust baths. Chinchillas also practice this strange behavior and a special dust is sold for them that can also be used for pet degus. Offer dust baths a few times a week to help keep your degu looking clean and to encourage more natural behavior.

By creating as natural an environment as you can in captivity you'll in turn have a happier, healthier pet degu.