Fascinating SYRIAN HAMSTER Facts

Sable short-haired Syrian Hamster.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Although there are several types of hamsters occurring in the wild, only five are commonly kept as household pets. And though there are several differences between the breeds that make them each unique, there are traits common to all hamsters, regardless of type. Chief among these traits is lifespan - the average hamster has a lifespan of roughly 1000 days, or just a little under three years, with male hamsters living on average just a bit longer than females.

All hamsters have cheek pouches which they use to carry food, or in cases of danger, they're young. Also common among all hamsters is the presence of scent glands, although the location of these glands differs depending on the type of hamster.

All hamsters reach breeding age in roughly 6-8 weeks, with a very short pregnancy lasting only 15 days. The size of the litter averages about 6-8 pups. As you may already know, hamsters are very susceptible to stress, with new mothers being particularly so. If this occurs it's not unusual for the new mother to eat her newborn pups, so it's important to keep stress to an absolute minimum for new hamster mothers.

One of the most common pet hamster breeds, the Syrian hamster is also commonly known as the Teddy Bear hamster, Fancy hamster, and the Golden hamster, among others. Syrian hamsters grow to full size of about 7 inches in length, with the females usually a bit longer than the males.

If you buy a Syrian from the pet store you may see several young Syrian hamsters kept in the same cage - this is very misleading as Syrian hamsters are extremely territorial and will fight to the death with any other hamster they are caged with. The only reason the Syrian hamsters you see in pet stores aren't fighting when you buy them is that they don't develop their territorial nature until about age 6 weeks. After that, the rule is one Syrian hamster per cage!

Here's a story from Tammy Crum, a well-respected hamster breeder:

"A previous partner of mine used a shelving system to store the hamster, with Syrians on top. They were in a fish tank and somehow got out landed in a tank with Roborovskis. Needless to say that by the time he discovered the missing culprit all the Robs were dead."

Given their large size, Syrian hamsters are more easily held for longer periods of time than dwarf hamsters as they tend not to tire as easily. Another interesting fact about Syrian hamsters is that, even though they have the nickname Golden hamster, they come in over 40 different color types. This is achieved through today's advanced breeding techniques, allowing for a range of color and fur length.

Most Syrian hamsters, like all other hamster breeds, do not require any grooming on your part. The only exception to this is the Long Haired Syrian hamster. In this case, a simple toothbrush can be used to remove any bedding material that may be caught up in his fur.

By Adam King - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Teddy Bear HAMSTERS

Teddy bear hamsters are among the most popular Syrian hamsters that possess beautiful furs. They are also known as fancy hamsters, Angora hamsters and long-haired hamsters. Most female hamsters of this type have plush furs while the men are characterized by their long skirt of furs located at the back. According to most pet enthusiasts, their furs look elegant and those that have longer furs draw the most admiration and attention.

Teddy Bear Hamster Photo: Wikimedia

Most teddy bear hamsters may grow up to five inches in length. Those who have thick furs may look larger than those who have thin ones. According to sources, these species rank as the second largest hamster in the world. Females usually reach their maturity at the age of six weeks while males mature when they reach the age of seven to eight weeks.

As observed by many pet owners, teddy bear hamsters love to live alone. Putting them in a cage with other hamsters would only lead to a fight. They are also known for nipping a person's hand when they weren't gently held.

Their elegant furs draw most people to get them as pets. Teddy bear hamsters usually have gold furs which sometimes have splashes of deep red lines. The fur strands typically range from one to two inches in length.

These creatures are able to groom themselves; however, one may brush them using a clean toothbrush in order to remove tangles. One should consider a toothbrush that has soft bristles to avoid scratching the skin of the hamsters. These soft bristles are capable of separating dead hair from the coat. Always brushing your hamsters will allow their furs to shine.

Hamsters generally face various health issues and they can usually live from two to three years only. However, their lifespan may be extended if they receive utmost care from their owners. According to some pet enthusiasts, some of the health issues faced by teddy bear hamsters include diarrhea, mite infestation and overgrown teeth.

Diarrhea in hamsters is usually caused by a diet consisting of lettuce and other foods that are low in fiber. Moreover, dirty cages also contribute to the onset of this disease.

Hamsters may also be infested with mites. Mites are parasites that cause severe itching. If this problem is left untreated, hamsters may scratch themselves which can result to infections. To treat this kind of ailment, one should apply adequate amount of mitacide to the hamster's body. It is also advised to thoroughly clean the cage and add fresh bedding.

Also known as malocclusion, overgrown teeth is another health concern faced by hamsters. This condition is characterized by the continuous growth of teeth until they no longer fit with one another. This inhibits the hamster to chew its food properly. If this will not be treated, the hamster will frequently experience starvation. According to veterinarians, malocclusion may be prevented during the hamster's early age. They advise pet owners to provide their pets with chew blocks so that their teeth will naturally wear off.

By Jason Richardson Ryan Article Source: EzineArticles

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SYRIAN HAMSTER Breeds

"Breed" is a term that is used a lot, and very often improperly. The Panda Bear, Teddy Bear, and Black Bear hamsters are all different breeds of the Syrian Hamster, Mesocricetus auratus.

Before we talk about hamsters, let's discuss how this works in dogs. I used to own a Chihuahua, and my cousins' owned a Schnauzer. We had different breeds of dogs. The dogs had different morphologies - that is they looked differently; and they had different personalities - up to a point. Both my cousins' pet and my pet were definitely dogs -There was no mistaking them for cats, and there was no mistaking them for wolves. Both animals barked, both animals had superb hearing, and neither had much tolerance for strangers. Scientifically, they were both characterized as Canis lupus familiaris.

Roborovski hamster
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Now let's return to hamsters. If you have a panda bear hamster, and you have a friend Juan who has a teddy bear hamster, and you both have another friend Alexandra, who has a black bear hamster, how do they compare? Well, the panda bear hamster has black and white fur; and the teddy bear hamster probably has fur that is shaded brown, and the black bear hamster has a black coat. Any of them could be longhaired, or shorthaired, or even rex (which means that its hair is curly.) You and your friends have different breeds of hamsters. Yet, all three of you own the same species of hamster: Mesocricetus auratus, more commonly called the Syrian hamster.

This means that, although your hamster looks differently than Juan's, and both look differently that Alexandra's, all three are the same kind of animal. They like human company, but don't like other hamsters; and they sleep most of the day. The teddy bear hamster, the panda bear hamster, and the black bear hamster are different breeds of the same species, Mesocricetus auratus.

So, all three of you could call your hamsters Syrian hamsters, and you would be correct.

Now, you may wonder about your other friend Chris, who has a Robo hamster. Is that also a type of Syrian? Well, this hamster likes to be around other Robo hamsters, and it moves too quickly to ever enjoy human companionship. So, what do you think? Does that describe a Syrian hamster? Not at all. A Roborovski hamster is, in fact a different species of hamster. Not only that, but this animal also belongs to a different genus as well. (The Syrian hamster belongs to the genus Mesocricetus, and the Roborovski hamster belongs to the genus Phodopus.)

You may be wondering if any of this is important. Well, it is, because different hamster species have different requirements for keeping them as pets. One example is what we said earlier: Robo hamsters like to be around other Robo hamsters; whereas if you put 2 Syrians together, they will fight, often until one of them is dead. Also, if you plan to take your hamsters to a hamster show, then it is important that you know which species and breed you have. Also, if anyone in your house has aspirations to be a scientist, then you should know scientists speak in precise terms, so that they can communicate clearly with one another. Finally, it's just pretty darn cool that you now know more about the difference between a breed and a species than most Homo sapiens (people)!

By Matthew A. Boreau Matthew Alexander Boreau is fond of animals. He writes about hamsters and birds. He also sells bird houses and bird feeders [http://www.birdfeederbirdhouse.com/bird-feeders/] at All American Bird, a 100% Veteran owned business. Article Source: EzineArticles

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SYRIAN or DWARF HAMSTER - Which Is Right for You?

The Syrian hamster is the most recommended hamster for children because they are a bit larger than the dwarf species and are also easier to tame. However, there are still many particulars with each type of hamster that you should be prepared for if you are considering getting one for a pet.

Most parents believe that getting a hamster is a good opportunity for children to learn about responsibility and how to care for an animal. Parents also find that children definitely develop a great bond between themselves and their Syrian hamster. Many are surprised to find out just how much personality each hamster displays.

A photo of one of my dwarf hamsters, Minica.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Syrian hamster grows to about 6 inches long and is sometimes referred to as the Golden hamster or teddy bear hamster. Because of their size, they are easier to handle than the smaller dwarf species, which grow to only 3 or 4 inches in length. The dwarf hamster's size and quickness allows it to escape from small children quite easily and is, therefore, a better choice of pet for older children.

Hamsters sometimes can get a reputation for nipping, but only when they are not being properly cared for. For instance, hamsters are nocturnal so they are awake most of the night and tend to sleep throughout the day. If small children try to handle them when they are supposed to be sleeping, they might find they get bit.

Because hamsters are nocturnal, you might want to consider your child's schedule. Hamsters can be great pets because they do not need a lot of care during the day. When your child is at school or at extracurricular activities, their hamster will most likely be sleeping. As long as there is a quiet area of the house for the hamster, he will be quite content.

This also means that at night, your hamster will be playing in his cage, spinning his wheel and making noise. Keeping the cage away from sleeping areas can be helpful in making sure this does not disturb your child's sleeping.

Another note to consider regarding the Syrian hamster and housing is that Syrian hamsters should never be placed in the same cage with each other. They are extremely territorial with other hamsters and will sometimes fight to the death. In nature, these hamsters are loners so you should keep them solitary in your home as well. Despite their independent nature, they do still form very deep bonds with humans.

Dwarf hamsters, on the other hand, will do well with two in a cage, as long as they have been together since they were pups. Make sure that hamsters in the same cage are of the same sex, unless you intend to breed them.

Sable short-haired Syrian Hamster.
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Choosing the hamster species you desire before purchasing supplies for your pet is important, as dwarf hamsters can be injured if they live in wire cages made for the larger Syrian hamster. The smaller size cage for a dwarf hamster will, necessarily, require the other supplies to be of a smaller scale.

Hamsters tend to live an average of two to three years, which is a short lifespan compared to other pets. Among hamsters though, the Syrian hamsters tend to live longer than the dwarf species. Especially with a child, you will need to consider how you will handle your pet's passing. Again, this can be another learning opportunity to discuss loss, grieving, and disappointment as your child grows.

Once you have decided whether a Syrian or a dwarf hamster will make the perfect pet for your child, find a reputable breeder or rescue mission. You can also buy a hamster from a pet store. In either case, make sure your hamster is healthy before bringing him home.

One thing to check for is a condition called wet-tail. Just like it sounds, wet-tail is moisture around the behind but it can indicate a very serious problem. Also look for dull eyes, a matted coat, diarrhea, and trembling. Of course, you should always have your new pets checked out right away by a veterinarian.

Finally, you should spend some time and effort to really investigate all of the details of each particular breed. Either the Syrian or dwarf hamster can be a great pet for your children and your entire family.

By Liz Andrews For more information on Syrian or dwarf hamsters [http://www.dwarfhamstersite.com/hamster-types/], check out DwarfHamsterSite.com [http://www.dwarfhamstersite.com]. Liz Andrews has been a hamster enthusiast for nearly 20 years. Her newest book, 'Dwarf Hamsters In a Nutshell,' teaches hamster owners absolutely everything they need to know about caring for their pet. Article Source: EzineArticles

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