Mammals on Herpeton Academy

Octodon degus

Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Octodon degus is the accepted scientific name for the degu covered here. Use this Latin name when comparing labels, origin documents, and close relatives, because trade names can overlap.

English common names used in the hobby:

Degu

German common names used in the hobby:

Degu

📌 Description

Octodon degus is a non-venomous small mammal with care needs shaped by its natural habitat: dry open scrubland with burrows, rocks, grasses, roots, and strong day-night rhythm. Adults are usually around 170-310 g adult body weight, and a realistic captive lifespan is 5-8 years, sometimes longer when housing, diet, and veterinary care are handled well.

Four-Toed Hedgehog

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Atelerix albiventris is the currently accepted scientific name. In older literature, the species may be encountered under older hedgehog combinations such as Erinaceus albiventris.

English common names used in the hobby:

Four-toed hedgehog
White-bellied hedgehog

German common names used in the hobby:

Weissbauchigel
Vierzehenigel

📌 Description

Atelerix albiventris is a small nocturnal African hedgehog species known for a compact body, pale underside, and short defensive spines. Adults commonly weigh around 250-600 g depending on sex, condition, and bloodline.

Algerian Hedgehog

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Atelerix algirus is the currently accepted scientific name. In older literature and in parts of the pet trade, the species was often listed as Erinaceus algirus.

The latest renames that hobbyists most often encounter are:

Erinaceus algirus -> Atelerix algirus (modern hedgehog taxonomy places the species in Atelerix)

Older names and combinations associated with the species include: