The degu is a south American caviomorph1
which inhabits the semi-arid (desert-like) scrub areas of central Chile2,
typically between Vallenar and Curico on the west slope of the Andes52.
This is the only place in the world where degus can be found in the wild and is where degus originated.
For more detailed information about the degu's natural
habitat, visit the habitat and history sections.
This satellite picture of south America shows the location of Chile, the country along the west coast of the continent.
This diagram represents the habitat range of the degu in Chile in 1968 when the survey was made.
Source: Woods, C. and Boraker, D. (1975) 'Octodon degus.' Mammalian Species, 67: pp. 1-5. (Ref. 52)