Degu for 3x / Pathfinder
Degu
Tiny Animal
Hit Dice: 1/4d8 (1 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), climb 20 ft.
Armor Class: 17 (+4 size, +3 Dex), touch 17, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +0/–16
Attack: Bite +7 melee (1d3–4)
Full Attack: Bite +7 melee (1d3–4)
Space/Reach: 1 ft. / 0 ft.
Special Attacks: —
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +1
Abilities: Str 2, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Balance +13, Climb +13, Listen +3, Spot +3
Feats: Alertness, Weapon Finesse B
Environment: Semi-arid scrubland
Organization: Solitary, pair, or group (2–10)
Challenge Rating: 1/8
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: —
Level Adjustment: —
Degus are highly social, extremely intelligent animals. They live in burrows, and, by digging communally, they are able to construct larger and more elaborate burrows than they could on their own. Degus digging together coordinate their activities, forming digging chains. Females living in the same group have been shown to spontaneously nest communally; they nurse one another’s young. They spend a large amount of time on the surface, where they forage for food. When foraging, their ability to detect predators is increased in larger groups, and each animal needs to spend less time in vigilance. Degus exhibit a wide array of communication techniques. They have an elaborate vocal repertoire comprising up to 15 unique sounds, and the young need to be able to hear their mother’s calls if the emotional systems in their brains are to develop properly. They use their urine to scent mark.
Degus are strictly herbivorous, in the wild feeding on grasses and browsing the leaves of shrubs, though they will also take seeds. Throughout much of the year forage is dried and so degus are specially adapted to a very high fiber intake, and this varies between food types and environmental conditions. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of degu physiology is their intolerance of dietary sugar.
Although they are active by day, in high summer they do not leave their burrows in the middle of the day and instead emerge to forage in the mornings and evenings.
Combat
Degus are extremely timid and run at the first sight of danger, biting only when cornered.
Skills: Degus have a +8 bonus racial bonus on Balance and Climb checks. A degu can always choose to take 10 on a Climb check, even if rushed or threatened. A degu uses its Dexterity modifier for Climb checks.
Degus As Familiars
A degu may be selected as a familiar. It grants its master a +3 bonus on Climb checks.
Conversion notes:
Why a degu? Well, why not? From their bright orange teeth to their charming dark eyes, degus are one of the most under-appreciated rodents and make excellent pets (even though you really have to watch what they eat).
They are very affectionate, smart, and interesting animals – and are overall a nice change of pace from your typical animal encounters like mice, rats, and squirrels.
