degu
1
8.4
A small social animal like a mouse from Chile often kept as a pet or used in research
- noun
- /ˈdeɪɡu/
:
degu
- At the pet store, I saw a degu running on its wheel, showcasing its energetic nature.
Examples
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We are grateful to Haileyesus Matheos, Amare Mekonnen, Degu Tadie, and Kassahun Abera for their advice about data collection.
Academic text (2018) -
This observation led Lima and colleagues (1999) to propose that degu populations exhibit chaotic dynamics.
Academic text (2002) -
A degu is a small, social rodent often kept as a pet because of its friendly nature.
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Because they are social animals, keeping two or more degus together is often recommended.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Degu comes from a native Chilean name for this animal, a word local people used for the small rodent; a helpful way to remember it is to think of a friendly little pet from Chile. So, degu today means a 'small, social rodent' often kept as a pet or studied in research.