adding a degu

[aqh88]

A shelter near me has 10 degus. Would it be a possible or a good idea to add a young male to the 90gallon with our 2? It doesn't seem like it would be that much more work than having 2 but how hard is it to introduce degus and is a 90g big enough for 3?

[Erica]

If you have the space, that's a great idea!

You might want to read "Introduction Advice Please" at:

deguworld.proboards31.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=behaviour&thread=1156627034&page=1

I'm not sure about gallon tank size. Maybe someone else can answer that.

Have you got 2 males right now or 2 females?

[aqh88]

2males, a 90gallon is 4'longx2'highx18"wide or 122cmx62cmx46cm.

[Sunshinemeg]

I wouldnt be as quick to say what a great idea that is as Ricky Im afraid. I have kept unrelated males for a long time now, and know from experience that while in theory its straightforward, in reality there are problems.

This is because males are the territorial ones in degu society. They reach sexual maturity at about 9 months of age, and at this point will be looking to see how far up the hierarchy they can get. If those above them are old or weak, the change over is easy, if however they are in their prime, you will most definately get fighting resulting. With luck, it wont be prolonged, and will be resolved before too much serious injury is incurred.

you also need to keep in mind, when introducing one degu to one other, its not so hard, they will scuffle then settle down. If you introduce a baby male to a pair of males, the existing pair will fight for what they see as a female in their cage. The baby wont smell "male" until he is a little older, and this can be problematic in the meantime!

Finally, if it doesnt go smoothly, have you the space to allow another cage?

Im not saying all of this to be difficult by any means. I am a sucker for seeing a young degu and wanting to bring it to join the gang! But I have also made a round trip to Birmingham from Bristol to take a degu to a new home when he refused to get on with the older two, and I have had to find homes for two others that never settled into the group, and I just dont have the room for more cages!

But to end on a positive note so you dont think I am a truely dreadful person! The cage size would work for the number of degus you would end up with, and introductions are entirely possible whatever age.

Hope these ramblings have helped!

good luck if you go through with it, pm me if you need advice, I have done what you are contemplating MANY times!!