julie
Foraging Degu
Posts: 52
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Post by julie on Jul 1, 2006 17:10:56 GMT
everything i had read so far says yes but then i happened across a website that said this:
"If you are looking for a pet which will sit calmly in your lap or allow you to hold it for extended periods of time, I don't reccomend a degu. Although degus will come to recognise your face and voice they are not likely to seek out contact with you like a hamster or gerbil. They don't like to be restricted and prefer to explore things on their own. If a pocket pet is what you're looking for then you'd probably be happier with something less exotic."
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Hanlou
Burrowing Degu
Basil
Posts: 284
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Post by Hanlou on Jul 1, 2006 18:01:17 GMT
I'd say that quote is partly right, but also very, very wrong!!!  Degus don't like to be restricted - mine don't like to be held. However, they certainly do seek you out, mine spend a great deal of their out-time on my knee. They like to sit with me and play on me and just enjoy being near me. They frequently show their affection by grooming my fingers etc. Rosie even moves my hand sometimes so that she sort of snuggles underneath it, bless her. In fact, when I'm not there, they often go back in the cage and seem to be much happier free-ranging when I'm there to spend the time with them. They always come to the side of the cage when I speak to them. As for the rest of that quote, it's rubbish anyway, hamsters and gerbils don't like being held either - and degus are certainly more intelligent (and responsive) than either. I've had gerbils and they're lovely but I think you get more back from a degu personally. I've also got rats and similarly, they like to be with me but aren't keen on just being held. |
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julie
Foraging Degu
Posts: 52
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Post by julie on Jul 1, 2006 19:48:38 GMT
ok, thanks, that helps me a lot. yeah that quote had me a bit worried because i have hamsters and they do not seek out people and do not sit still for being held so if degus are worse than that....... hehe. but ive heard that rats are very affectionate with their people so if degus are generally equal to rats in that respect, it should be good.
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Post by deguqueen on Jul 1, 2006 20:41:40 GMT
Don't forget that all degus are different just like people. Some like to be touched and others can't stand it.
Some of my degus will crawl out into my hand while others (such as Princess) will bolt if I try to even touch her back or side.
It does take patience to hand tame your degu. I'm still working on all of mine.
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Hanlou
Burrowing Degu
Basil
Posts: 284
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Post by Hanlou on Jul 1, 2006 22:32:22 GMT
Yes, it does depend on individual animals...... I guess also if you have them from babies you can maybe train them to be hand-tame more readily. Mine are all 2 year old rescues, so I've no idea what start they had in life. Watching them is really very funny though......
Oh, and pumpkin seeds are invaluable in the training process! Lol!
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Post by diet otaku on Jul 2, 2006 13:44:51 GMT
degus that have been hand-trained from birth are much more likely to sit for cuddles than rescued degus. i have 4 rescues, and they all flee from my hands and squirm when i hold them, and use me as a jungle gym when they're out in the open. my roommate has 2 raised from birth that were handled frequently, and they will sit and let you scoop them up. they struggle for a bit in your hands, but quickly calm down.
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