Degus

[racinghamster]

That must have been a shocking experience for you p_anda. Stupid kid. No animal should be dangled or pulled by the tail because they can de-glove and cause the bone to be exposed. If this happens due to an accident, the tail bone goes necrotic and usually needs amputating. Gerbils are a good example of this. Some people don`t realise that theit tail fur can de-glove as a flight escape mechanism, but it`s not something that should happen in captivity. Poor degu.

[p_anda]

Well, that teacher told us that the degu was re-homed, I think it's more likely that he was put down...I think I believed that re-homing story, I was only 9 at the time, but now I'm more cynical. There's no way that teacher would've forked out for veterinary treatment apart from having him put down

[Mikayla]

Originally Posted by racinghamster

That must have been a shocking experience for you p_anda. Stupid kid. No animal should be dangled or pulled by the tail because they can de-glove and cause the bone to be exposed. If this happens due to an accident, the tail bone goes necrotic and usually needs amputating. Gerbils are a good example of this. Some people don`t realise that theit tail fur can de-glove as a flight escape mechanism, but it`s not something that should happen in captivity. Poor degu.

It's actually recommended to hold chinchillas by their tails because they will slip fur if crabbed around their middles. It does not hurt them the tiniest bit.

[racinghamster]

I`m not talking about chinchillas I`m talking about degus and gerbils. I don`t have a clue about chinchillas! Never kept them.

[Mikayla]

Originally Posted by racinghamster

I`m not talking about chinchillas I`m talking about degus and gerbils. I don`t have a clue about chinchillas! Never kept them.

I was under the impression you were talking about animals in general. Just thought I'd point that out

[Lynternette]

Thanks a lot everyone. Its certainly a very informative discussion. Sadly I don't think I'll ever have one now I just adore rodents!

[p_anda]

Originally Posted by MMMTDF

It's actually recommended to hold chinchillas by their tails because they will slip fur if crabbed around their middles. It does not hurt them the tiniest bit.

Surely you mean that you hold them by the base of their tail? It's ok to hold one like that, but you're certainly not meant to pick any animal up by the middle or end bit of their tail...tails can't support the animals whole body weight so they just break off

[racinghamster]

No, just degus, as the title suggests. Chinchillas and gerbils just happened to enter the conversation somehow...

P_anda is right. Supporting the end of the tail can sometimes be useful with certain animals but I would never do it. Even if I thought it was safe. I prefer to bodily scoop or lift an animal to make it feel secure.

[StarlightSerenity]

Originally Posted by racinghamster

No, just degus, as the title suggests. Chinchillas and gerbils just happened to enter the conversation somehow...

P_anda is right. Supporting the end of the tail can sometimes be useful with certain animals but I would never do it. Even if I thought it was safe. I prefer to bodily scoop or lift an animal to make it feel secure.

You did say "No animal"

Does anyone know of any specific breeders in the UK?

[Mikayla]

Originally Posted by p_anda

Surely you mean that you hold them by the base of their tail? It's ok to hold one like that, but you're certainly not meant to pick any animal up by the middle or end bit of their tail...tails can't support the animals whole body weight so they just break off

About 3/4 down from the end, yes If you grab too close to the end you can slip fur.

RH- picking a chin up around the middle is dangerous actually, they are floating ribcages and they can be crushed very easily, if also frightens them to be picked up around the middle.