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Degu vision: the science and the numbers

Octodon degus · order Rodentia · Mammals: all the numbers

The degu has 2 colour receptor classes (360 and 500 nm), one of them in the ultraviolet.[1] Both eyes see the same 50° in front of it.[10]

See it on your photoBack to How does the degu see?
  • 2colour receptor classesMeasured
  • 50°seen by both eyesMeasured

The degu (Octodon degus) is a mammal in the order Rodentia. Its eyes belong to the vision type Small prey mammal (UV): two or three cone types, often including ultraviolet, low sharpness and a near-panoramic field. Measured in this species: colour, field of view, foveas and night vision. Measured core: measured values on at least 3 of the 6 dials.

This is a simulation built from published eye measurements, not what the animal experiences.

Method: How we know what animals see (the See Like Animals vision engine) · Sources · Last updated . Every value below carries its evidence level and sources; nothing is typed by hand.

What the degu sees: colour receptors

Degu colour receptor peaks, 300 to 700 nmDegu: 2 receptor peaks at 360, 500 nm; you: 3 at 421.5, 532, 558.4 nm. ultraviolet300400500600700
Degu: 360, 500 nmPeople: 421.5, 532, 558.4 nmWavelength in nanometres

What stands out

  • It has two colour receptor classes (a dichromat): reds and greens fall on one axis, as in red-green colour blindness in people.
  • Both eyes see the same 50° in front of it (binocular overlap), where depth is judged best.
  • Activity pattern: diurnal.

The six dials

Evidence levels: how the tiers work. "Measured" means a value measured in this species; "Estimated" values come from a close relative or an eye-size formula. The last column gives the values for people from the same catalogue.

Vision values for the degu (Octodon degus), catalogue-v1
DialValueEvidenceSourcesPeople
ColourColour receptors
2 receptor classes: 360 nm (UVS), 500 nm (MWS (green))
measured in this species
Measured[1]Colour receptors: 3 receptor classes: 421.5 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 532 nm (MWS (green)), 558.4 nm (LWS (long)) Measured (not re-verified)[1][2][3][4]
Ultraviolet
yes: at least one receptor peaks in the ultraviolet		Measured
SharpnessAcuity
2.05 cycles per degree
median of 20 relatives in order Rodentia: Mesocricetus auratus, Cuniculus paca, Dasyprocta leporina, Ellobius lutescens, Ellobius talpinus, Heterocephalus glaber
Group default[5][6][7][8][9]Acuity: 63.75 cycles per degree Measured[8][9]
Field of viewBinocular overlap
50°
median of 1 rows (eyes-at-rest rows preferred)
Measured[10]Binocular overlap: 122.5° Measured[11][12]
Total field of view: 200° Measured (not re-verified)[13]
Blind area behind the head: 160° Derived[13]
Eye placement: frontal Derived[11][12]
Sharp zones (foveas)Number of foveas
0
fovea_present / area_centralis_type (retinal topography; count 1 = fovea present, 0 = none)
Measured[14]Number of foveas: 1 Measured[14]
Fovea type: fovea Measured[14]
Fovea type
area centralis, horizontal streak		Measured[14]
Night visionActivity pattern
diurnal
mode of 7 rows (of 8 rows): cathemeral; diurnal; mixed (nocturnal/crepuscular, cathemeral, crepuscular or diurnal/crepuscular); photopic
Measured (not re-verified)[5][15][16][17][18][19]Activity pattern: diurnal Measured (not re-verified)[20][5][15][1][16][17][18][19]
Pupil shape: vertical Group default[21][22]
Reflective layer (tapetum): no Measured[23]
Rods vs cones: cone-dominated Derived[20][5][15][1][16][17][18][19]
Rods vs cones
cone-dominated
nocturnal -> rod-dominated; crepuscular / cathemeral / mixed -> mixed; diurnal -> cone-dominated
Derived[5][15][16][17][18][19]
Motion (flicker fusion)Flicker fusion frequency
62.5 Hz
median of 7 relatives in order Rodentia: Rattus norvegicus, Cavia porcellus, Mus musculus, Callospermophilus lateralis, Tamias amoenus, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Group default[24][25][26][27]Flicker fusion frequency: 60 Hz Measured[25][26]

All mammals side by side: Mammals: every measurement. Method: how we know what animals see.

Sources

  1. Longcore 2023
  2. Kirwan
  3. Müller et al. 2009
  4. Thermal Activation and Photoactivation of Visual… 2004
  5. Borges et al. 2018
  6. Caves et al. 2024
  7. de Sousa et al. 2022
  8. Kirk et al. 2004
  9. Veilleux et al. 2014
  10. Vega-Zuniga et al. 2013
  11. Heesy 2004
  12. Heffner et al. 1992
  13. Campbell & Green 1965
  14. Kopania et al. 2025
  15. Wilman et al. 2014
  16. Maor et al. 2017
  17. Jones et al. 2009
  18. Schmitz et al. 2011
  19. Moura et al. 2024
  20. Anderson et al. 2017
  21. Banks et al. 2015
  22. Cervino et al. 2021
  23. Guareschi et al. 2025
  24. Haarlem et al. 2026
  25. Healy et al. 2013
  26. Inger et al. 2014
  27. Lafitte et al. 2022

Every value cites its sources (all sources). Values were extracted from these works and converted (units, medians, derived values); changes are ours, and the listed sources do not endorse this site. Data: catalogue-v1, built 2026-09-29. Accuracy notes: how accurate is this? Method: how we know.