Scientific name:
Octodontidae

Natural spread:
South America

the South American Trugratten owes its name of the external similarity with the known old-terrestrial rats, however they are not nearer relative with these. The scientific name (Octodontidae = Achtzähner) derives been ordered eight or kidney-shaped from the glaze-pleats of the cheek-teeth, that seen from above.

Spread Trugratten live on grass, fruits, grains and shoots. The 8 types from 6 types are found as well as at the coast also like in the Andes-foothills and in the high mountain region, even until in several thousand meters of height.

Types The fur is soft and dense. Through the big head, the body seems something stocky. 2 types, the Curura (Spalacopus cyanus) and the South American rock-rat (Aconaemys fuscus), are on anatomical tried at a digging way of life. they possess only a short tail. It is strong Wühler, sometimes tunnel under the deep expanse so that they to a continuous break-in-danger for human being and animal can become.

The other types are langschwänzig with an endständigen hair-tuft. The ways of life of the Viscacharatte (Octomys mimax) and the brush-tail-rat (Octodontomys gliroides) still is largely unknown. The best, the Degu (Octodon degus), that is called also shrub-rat, is still examined. it prefers open, bushy terrain and is day-active in contrast to the other Trugrattenarten. Here and there, the Degu is frequent and a dangerous pest on grain-fields and in gardens. For the winter, it brings in supplies. it doesn't hold any hibernation.