Notes on the Activity, Reproduction, and Social Behavior of Octodon degus

Data on activity and social behavior of the Chilean degu, Octodon degus, were gathered by direct observation of animals, some of which had been marked for individual recognition. Data from autopsies and external inspection of trapped animals suggested that most reproduction occurs in September at the latitude of Santiago. Degus are diurnal and show morning and evening activity peaks. Social organization is based on group territories, at least during the period after emergence of the young. Mound building (collecting a pile of sticks, stones, and cow dung) was associated with territorial marking. Females of the same social group may rear their young in a common nest burrow. Octodon degus burrows are sometimes used by Abrocoma bennetti, a similar sized rodent, and on two occasions nest burrows were found to be shared by young and mothers of both species.