I noticed someone asking about degus in the 107 issue.  I don't know much abo
about them but I spent a year in the Psych department at the Univ. of Oklahoma
and a professor named XXXXX XXXXXXXX (who is now at U of something) had
several degus.  He intended to do some behavioral research on foraging but I
don't know if he ever managed it.  I took care of them and considered them
quite vicious creatures.  They weren't handled a great deal, of course, but
usually every other day.  The young ones were cute but as adults they look
just like large gerbils with a more ratty tail.  I find it amusing to think
they are becoming popular as pets - I wasn't fond of them at all!
 
[It appears that there are vast differences between animals raised as
pets, and those raised for other purposes.  I know many people who've
dealt with them in the old country, who cannot believe that it's possible
to handle ferrets without gloves]
 
P.S.  Chris, on second thought I probably shouldn't include XXXXX's name in
the above, as more and more people are considering all research evil.  Let's
leave him anonymous.  Please just put "and a professor there had several
degus"....
 
[Much as I'm against pointless animal research, I'm not going to permit
ANY diatribes on the subject pro or anti in this mailing list, so don't
worry about it]
 
Come to think of it, next to a strange ferret that I trusted to close to my
nose, a bite from one of those degus was the worst bite I have ever received
from an animal!
 
Cheers, Pam Reid
                                                                          
[Posted in FML 0109]