Sounds and what they mean

[pbbdegu]

Hello, can anyone give me a guide to degu sounds? There isn't a lot of info on that.

[teemu]

www.degutopia.co.uk/degusound.htm This is the only real guide I've found. In practice it's always a bit hard to use something like this since the samples are rather abrupt (funnily enough the same problem comes up in my English speech sound studies, I guess it's just something that happens when you try to analyze small sounds like that).

Is there some specific sound you're concerned about? Degus have a surprisingly wide range of vocalizations, but a couple of sounds are much more common than the others. I've often been surprised by a new sound coming out of my degus and having to try and figure out what it means.

[deguconvert]

A lot of sounds change their meaning depending on the context in which it is emitted. Like tooth grinding. Tooth grinding is common in almost every activity.
If they are just about to fall asleep in their favorite spot, it indicates contentment and a strong sense of security.

If they are eating, it is more contentment . . . or tooth cleaning/maintenance. UNLESS . . . there is another degu pressing to come in and eat. Then the meaning of the tooth grinding, and the posture of the degus body, will change. The degu may shift his position to block the other degu, they may lightly tap their hind feet so that they look like they are doing a bit of a wiggle. This is a small warning. If the other pressing more signals will be given, a whine, a growl, more obvious shifting, fur may puff, tail might lash a bit, may sit on top of the food, or just whirl around and eyeball the other while doing these things.

If they are feeling unwell, tooth grinding may be a form of self soothing, but you will also see them sitting in a bit of a hunched position, their fur will be fully puffed out, and they may be somewhat removed from the other degus, sticking to their nest, or trying to hide.

If they are annoyed, you will hear both tooth grinding and whining together, and will see agitated movements such as looking jumpy with quick little adjustments to face what they are unhappy about, as well as the postures and such that is described with protecting food above. Best to just not press them.

There are more things they grind their teeth about, but I just wanted to give you a couple of examples of where you will see it, but because of the context and body language they mean different things.

[Bexi87]

The sounds and meanings will also vary from group to group, like most animals. My girls grind their teeth at me ALL THE TIME but when they are silent I know they are mad at me. My cats are the same, every behaviour is the complete opposite to what it’s meant to mean!

I would suggest sitting and watching your degus. Learn their behaviours, body language and sounds to understand their particular language.