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Octodontidae - degus, rock rats, viscacha rats

DegusThere are 13 species in this family. They are found in South America in scrublands and rocky habitats.

They have rat-like bodies; long' silky brownish fur; long, furry tails; rounded ears; pointed noses; whiskers; and short legs with clawed toes. Most species are around 5-8 inches in length.

They live in burrows and are herbivores. Most species are nocturnal and live in colonies.

 

 

World Status Key
Least ConcernLeast Concern Near ThreatenedNear Threatened VulnerableVulnerable EndangeredEndangered Critically EndangeredCritically Endangered extinct in the wildExtinct in Wild extinctExtinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in US Threatened in New Hampshire Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in US Endangered in NH Endangered in NH Introduced Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

  New Hampshire Species

 

 North/Central American Species

None
   None

Other Species Around the World

Africa Africa Asia Asia Australia Australia/Oceania Europe Europe North America North America South AmericaSouth America New Hampshire Species NH Species

Chilean Rock Rat - Aconaemys fuscus Least Concern South America
Porter's Rock Rat - Aconaemys porteri South America
Sage's Rock Rat - Aconaemys sagei South America
Bridges's Degu - Octodon bridgesi Vulnerable South America
Degu - Octodon degus Least Concern South America
Moon-toothed Degu - Octodon lunatus Near Threatened South America
Pacific Degu - Octodon pacificus Critically Endangered South America 		Mountain Degu - Octodontomys gliroides Least Concern South America
Viscacha Rat - Octomys mimax Least Concern South America
Golden Vizcacha Rat - Pipanacoctomys aureus Critically Endangered South America
Chalchalero Vizcacha Rat - Salinoctomys loschalchalerosorum Critically Endangered South America
Coruro - Spalacopus cyanus Least Concern South America
Plains Viscacha Rat - Tympanoctomys barrerae Near Threatened South America

Additional Information

Key: profile Profile Photos Photos Video Video Audio Audio

Chilean Rock Rat - Aconaemys fuscus Least Concern South America profile Photos
The Chilean rock rat is found in Argentina and Chile.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Coruro - Spalacopus cyanus Least Concern South America profile Photos
The coruro is found in Chile.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Degu - Octodon degus Least Concern South America profile Photos
The degu is found in Chile.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Plains Viscacha Rat - Tympanoctomys barrerae Near Threatened South America profile Photos
The plains viscacha rat is found in Argentina.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Plains Viscacha Rat - Tympanoctomys barrerae Near Threatened South America profile Photos
The plains viscacha rat is nocturnal and lives in a complex burrow system.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School


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