Post by teemu on Nov 5, 2021 14:48:05 GMT
I've actually considered that as well. She certainly has the energy and activity levels to bother with things like that, but she generally hasn't been intrested in other toys before this bowl. Of course, with treats, anything is possible.
Degus are certainly smart enough to be taught tricks, at least. I've shown how good Pulla is with his puzzle box, and I've also taught him a simple turn prompt (he turns around in place when I spin my finger) with a really simple reward scheme. My estimation is that they seem to learn tricks much quicker and more intuitively than, say, rats, which are generally considered really good at task learning. I should test it out with Suti, especially since she's now getting private playtime.
(On a sidenote, it seems like Suti has decided that the empty metal bowl MUST always be located inside a mostly destroyed seagrass tunnel. She systematically returns it there every time. Sometimes she sits in the tunnel with the bowl, just staring into nothing. I have no idea what's going on with that right now, but it's good that she gets to express herself.)
Degus are certainly smart enough to be taught tricks, at least. I've shown how good Pulla is with his puzzle box, and I've also taught him a simple turn prompt (he turns around in place when I spin my finger) with a really simple reward scheme. My estimation is that they seem to learn tricks much quicker and more intuitively than, say, rats, which are generally considered really good at task learning. I should test it out with Suti, especially since she's now getting private playtime.
(On a sidenote, it seems like Suti has decided that the empty metal bowl MUST always be located inside a mostly destroyed seagrass tunnel. She systematically returns it there every time. Sometimes she sits in the tunnel with the bowl, just staring into nothing. I have no idea what's going on with that right now, but it's good that she gets to express herself.)
