This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The degu, aka common degu or brush-tailed rat, can be found in west central Chile. They prefer semi-arid shrubland (called matorral). These curious rodents are relatives of the chinchilla and the guinea pig. In certain parts of their range they are considered pests. The degu is also a popular pet. […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

Closely related to the chinchilla, the viscacha hails from South America. These rodents prefer mountainous regions with plenty of rocks, crags, and sparse vegetation. Humans are the biggest threat to viscachas, as they hunt them for their fur and meat. However, they are still abundant and thus listed as Least […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

It’s cute, cuddly, so soft you can barely feel their fur, they’re quick, and have sharp teeth. Yes, it’s a chinchilla! Once hunted to near extinction for their fur coats, they are now only found in the Andes mountains in Chili, Peru, and the occasional pet store. Due to over-collection […]

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