Octodontidae (bush rats, hedge rats, degus; order Rodentia, suborder Hystricomorpha) A family of rat-like, ground-dwelling or burrowing rodents in which the tail is haired, the hairs growing longer closer to the tip and ending in a tuft. The limbs are short, the fore limb having five digits and the hind limb four. The hind digits have bristles which extend stiffly beyond the claws. Octodonts are confined to the west coast of S. America. There are five genera, with about seven species.

degus See OCTODONTIDAE.