Degu

rodent · Chile · social animals · super smart

Mountain climbers. Degus live high up in the Andes Mountains of Chile, where they scurry over rocky slopes and dry shrubland. They are excellent climbers and use their long tails to balance as they leap from rock to rock.

Family squad goals. Degus are super social and live in groups of up to a dozen individuals. They spend lots of time grooming each other, playing, and communicating with chirps and squeaks.

Always growing teeth. Like all rodents, degus have teeth that never stop growing, so they must constantly chew on wood, bark, and tough plants to wear them down. Their teeth can even glow under ultraviolet light because they have an orange-red coating.

Mostly nocturnal. Degus are most active at night when they hunt for food and explore their territory. During the hot Chilean day, they often rest in cool underground burrows.

Brainy little fluffballs. Degus are remarkably intelligent and can solve puzzles, learn their names, and remember other degus they have known. Scientists study them to understand how social animals use their big brains.