Common degu

The common degu (Octodon degus; ), or, historically, the degu, is a small hystricomorpharodentendemic to the Chilean matorralecoregion of central Chile. The name degu on its own indicates either the entire genus Octodon or, more commonly, just the common degu. Common degus belong to the parvorderCaviomorpha of the infraorderHystricognathi, along with the chinchilla and guinea pig. The word degu comes from the Mapuche word dewü, meaning 'mouse' or 'rat'.

Although found in a relatively small natural habitat when compared to other species of rodents, degus are prolific and thus classified as a least-concern species by IUCN. The animal may be kept as a domestic pet, though there are prohibitions on their ownership in some territories. As a pet, the degu is larger than a golden hamster but smaller than a fancy rat.