How to Handle Them
For most pet rodents, it is generally believed that picking them up by the base of the tail is the correct method of handling. However, degus are different.
If a degu is restrained by it's tail, the skin near the base of the tail will loose the skin skin near proximal to the injury site, leaving a the bone behind. This is an anti-predatory mechanism. Later, the degu will chew off the exposed bone at a narrowing of the vertebrae so to minimize blood loss. This will happen within 1-2 weeks of the skin shedding. The tail will not grow back. You MUST NOT pick up a degu by it's tail! When holding your degu, they will sit still for longer if you don't encircle them with your entire hand. Let your degu sit on your open palm or arm and give them a treat- they'll be much happier to be held!