The mountain degu (''Octodontomys gliroides'') is a species of rodent in the family Octodontidae. It is the only species in the genus ''Octodontomys''. It is found in the foothills of the Andes in Argentina,

Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...

and Chile.

Description

The mountain degu is a moderate sized rodent with a length of , including a tail of , and a bodyweight in the range . The hairs are long and silky. The upper surface is greyish-brown, the chin is pure white, and the underparts are white with a grey base to the hairs. There is a tuft of white hair in front of the large ears, which are clad in short grey hair. The slender tail is bi-coloured (dark above and pale below) and has a tuft of brown or ochre hairs at the tip. Juveniles have darker fur above and greyer underparts. Their tails are brownish with a dark brown or black tufted tip.

Distribution and habitat

This species is found in the mountainous areas of southwestern Bolivia, northwestern Argentina and northern Chile. It has a wide altitudinal range, occurring at in Jujuy Province in Argentina, and at in Potosí Department in Bolivia. The only species of octodontid found in the higher parts of its range, it inhabits dry rocky areas with tall cacti, shrubs and herbs.

Behaviour

The mountain degu is a mainly diurnal, herbivorous rodent. It does not have any special adaptations of skull or limbs for tunnelling but digs short burrows as well as living under rocks and in caves. Its tail can be autotomised and when climbing, it can be used as a prop. It is a sociable animal and communicates by means of a range of low, medium and high-pitched gurgles, twitters and squeaks. It feeds on the leaves and bark of shrubs, and on ''Acacia'' sheaths in the winter and on cactus fruits in the summer. It can obtain sufficient moisture from its food, particularly cactus, to satisfy its water requirements. Little is known of the breeding habits of the mountain degu, but young in various stages of development have been found in November, and pregnant females and young in both January and May. A

gestation period In mammals, pregnancy is the period of reproduction during which a female carries one or more live offspring from implantation in the uterus through gestation. It begins when a fertilized zygote implants in the female's uterus, and ends once it ...

of around 105 days has been reported with a litter size of one to three pups. The pups are precocial when born, already having their eyes open and being well-furred.

Status

''O. gliroides'' is listed as being of " least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because of its wide distribution, its presumed large population, its occurrence in some protected areas and apparent tolerance of some degree of habitat modification.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q615863 Mammals described in 1844 Mammals of Argentina Mammals of Bolivia Mammals of Chile Mammals of the Andes Octodontidae Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Taxa named by Paul Gervais Taxa named by Alcide d'Orbigny