Pacific degu

The Pazifikdegu ( Octodon pacificus ) is a rodent species from the family of deceit rats ( Octodontidae ). He is a close relative of the properties held as pet in Europe ordinary degus.

Pazifikdegus like all degus rat-like animals with massive head. The body length is about 22 centimeters, the tail length of about 17 inches, weight 290 grams, so it is one of the largest representatives of its genus. The soft fur is brownish in color, the tail has no tassel.

These animals are found only on the island Mocha off the Chilean coast. Their habitat is forests, otherwise nothing is known about their way of life.

The first specimens were found in 1959, but it was only in the 1990s, the species was scientifically described. In a study in 2003 no instance is found, the mountain region had not been covered, so there might there give Pazifikdegus. The reasons for the decline are the clearing of the forests and the introduction of the brown rat. The IUCN lists the species as endangered ( vulnerable ), although this information is deprecated.