Like gerbils and chinchillas, octodons are now available for sale in many pet shops. These small rodents from Chile are considered to be New Pets in France.
They are therefore bought and sometimes abandoned. Our refuge in Tournai recently took in 20 octodons. They are available for adoption.
Octodons measure around 15 centimetres, weigh between 150 and 300 grams, have large black eyes and a 12 cm tail ending in a tuft of hair. It is sometimes all black, sometimes sandy or champagne-coloured, or even with white spots. In captivity, it can live between 6 and 8 years, compared with 4 years in the wild.
Where does it come from?
The octodon comes from the plateaux of Chile, in South America. They live in large tunnels in which they take refuge when it is too hot or too cold.
How does it live?
The octodon is a sociable animal that can only thrive in a community. In the wild, they live in small clans of one or two males and three to five females, forming colonies of up to 100 individuals.
In captivity, it is absolutely impossible for them to live alone. A pair or group of 5 octodons is needed to prevent it dying of loneliness.
What is its character?
The octodon is shy but curious and can sometimes be tamed, depending of course on the character of each individual. They are reputed to be intelligent and have an excellent memory! They recognise their owners but are wary of strangers.
It is also an animal that lives at the end of the day and in the evening and does not like to be disturbed during its naps. They get on well with gerbils and rabbits. Avoid contact with cats or dogs, as the octodon could be prey for them.
What does it eat?
Octodons are herbivores! Its diet must therefore be rich in fibre and contain very little fat. These fibres are mainly found in hay, which should be given to the octodon continuously! The fibres will have a positive effect on its intestinal transit. Hay is also good for your octodon’s teeth.
Caution: a lack of fibre can lead to serious health problems for your octodon. It can suffer from diarrhoea and even die. Octodons are fond of nettles, dandelions, lettuce, parsley… but anything too rich in water should be avoided. Octodons also like birch, apple, acacia and chestnut branches.
What is the ideal living environment for an octodon in captivity?
The octodon absolutely must have space to move around, run and climb. It must therefore have an acceptable and spacious living environment. This living environment must also be designed to accommodate at least two octodons, as this is an animal that does not tolerate solitude.
To help your octodon flourish, it’s essential to opt for an aviary at least 1.20 metres long, with metal bars spaced at least two centimetres apart and levels to allow it to climb.
You can then install a food bowl, a feeding bottle, a hay rack for continuous haying, a litter tray and a sandpit with bath soil: the octodon will love to clean itself there to remove its excess sebum and thus combat parasites.
Don’t forget a hiding place with a little house where it can take refuge. Poplar, birch or willow branches can complete the picture. As far as play is concerned, you could also think of a hammock or a solid wheel for him to exercise on.
What is the budget for looking after an octodon?
We estimate the cost of caring for an octodon at between €100 and €200 a year.
Veeweyde would like to warn you: the craze for these Nacs does not contribute to their well-being.
While dogs and cats have been our companions for thousands of years, these New Pets have nothing to do with our climates or lifestyles. Even if they are not directly captured in the wild, they do not tolerate captivity well. The biological and behavioural needs of these exotic species are difficult to meet, and it’s important to remember that they don’t seek out human companionship: it’s forced upon them, as best they can.
As a refuge, our role is to take in these species when they are abandoned and to provide them with a habitat in which they can flourish as best they can, but we strongly advise people who wish to acquire them not to contribute to the trade and trafficking in these wild animals, which are sold piecemeal in shops, even though they are living, sensitive beings.