List of octodontids

Octodontidae is a family of mammals in the order Rodentia and part of the Caviomorpha parvorder. Members of this family are called octodontids and include degus, rock rats, and viscacha rats. They are found in southern South America, primarily in forests, shrublands, and rocky areas, though some species can be found in savannas, grasslands, and wetlands. They range in size from the coruro, at 11 cm (4 in) plus a 4 cm (2 in) tail, to the mountain viscacha rat, at 33 cm (13 in) plus a 18 cm (7 in) tail. Octodontids are herbivores, and eat a variety of plant matter and fruit, with some species also eating dung. No octodontids have population estimates, but three species—the Pacific degu, golden viscacha rat, and Chalchalero viscacha rat—are categorized as critically endangered.

The fourteen extant species of Octodontidae are divided into seven genera, which range in size from one to four species. Several extinct prehistoric octodontid species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries, the exact number and categorization is not fixed.

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