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Hamster
Fossil range: Middle Miocene - Recent
A domesticated variety of Syrian or Golden Hamster, Mesocricetus auratus
A domesticated variety of Syrian or Golden Hamster, Mesocricetus auratus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Suborder: Myomorpha
Superfamily: Muroidea
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Cricetinae
Fischer de Waldheim, 1817
Genera

Mesocricetus
Phodopus
Cricetus
Cricetulus
Allocricetulus
Cansumys
Tscherskia

Hamsters are rodents belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae. The Miocene is a geological epoch of the Neogene period and extends from about 23 The Syrian or Golden Hamster, Mesocricetus auratus, is a very well-known member of the Rodent Subfamily Cricetinae, the Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands Rodentia is an order of Mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must Suborder Myomorpha contains 1137 species of mouse-like Rodents nearly a quarter of all Mammal species Muroidea is a large Superfamily of Rodents It includes Hamsters Gerbils true mice and Rats and many other relatives The Cricetidae are a family of Rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. Johann Gotthelf Fischer von Waldheim ( Grigorij Ivanovitsch Fischer von Waldheim in Russian) ( October 13, 1771 &ndash October 18, Mesocricetus is a Genus of Old World Hamsters including the Golden hamster or Syrian hamster the first hamster to be introduced The dwarf hamsters represent a group of small Hamsters in the genus Phodopus. The European Hamster, Cricetus cricetus, also known as the Black-bellied Hamster, is a species of Hamster native to Europe. The ratlike hamsters are a group of Hamsters that inhabit Arid or semi-arid regions in Eurasia. UserPolbot. --> Allocricetulus is a genus of Hamster in the Cricetidae family UserPolbot. -->The Gansu Hamster ( Cansumys canus) is a species of Rodent in the Cricetidae The Greater Long-tailed Hamster ( Tscherskia triton) is a major crop -eating rodent that resides in Northern China. Rodentia is an order of Mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must In Biological classification, family ( Latin The subfamily contains about 18 species, classified in six or seven genera. In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. A genus (plural genera from Γένος Latin genus "descent family type gender" is a low-level Taxonomic Because they are easy to breed in captivity, hamsters are often used as lab animals and kept as pets in more economically developed countries. Animal testing or animal research is the use of non-human Animals in scientific experimentation. A pet is an Animal kept for companionship and enjoyment or a househeld animal as opposed to Livestock, Laboratory animals Working animals Recently hamsters have become established as popular small family pets.

Hamsters are crepuscular. Crepuscular is a term used to describe animals that are primarily active during Twilight, hence at Dawn and at Dusk. In the wild, they burrow underground in the daylight to avoid being caught by predators. They are most active around dusk and dawn, which has led many people to mistake them for being nocturnal. In the wild they will eat any wheat, nuts and small bits of fruit and vegetables that they might find lying around on the ground, occasionally eating small insects such as small crickets or mealworms. The name hamster is derived from the German word Hamster, itself from earlier OHG hamustro, from ORuss choměstorǔ, which is either a blend of the root of Russ chomiak "hamster" and a Baltic word (cf. Old East Slavic, also known as Old Russian (древнерусский or Old Ruthenian, was a vernacular literary language used from the 10th to the 14th centuries Russian ( transliteration:,) is the most geographically widespread language of Eurasia, the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages Lith staras "hamster")[1] or of Iranian origin (cf. Lithuanian ( lietuvių kalba) is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognised as one of the official languages of the European Union. Av hamaēstar "oppressor")[2]. Avestan is an Eastern Old Iranian language that was used to compose the sacred hymns and canon of the Zoroastrian Avesta. They have elongated fur-lined pouches on both sides of their heads which extend to their shoulders, which they stuff full of food to be brought back to the colony or to be eaten later.

Their diet contains a variety of foods both in the wild and when kept as a pets including dried food, berries and nuts. A pet is an Animal kept for companionship and enjoyment or a househeld animal as opposed to Livestock, Laboratory animals Working animals Fresh fruits and vegetables are also an integral part of their diet. Behavior can vary depending on their environment, genetics, and interaction with people.

Contents

Characteristics

Hamsters are stout-bodied, with tails much shorter than body length and have small furry ears, short stocky legs, and wide feet. Their thick, silky fur, which can be long or short, can be black, grey, white, brown, buff, yellow, "sapphire" or red depending on the species, or a mix of any of those colors. Underparts vary in color from white to shades of gray and black. The Djhungarian hamster (Phodopus campbelli) and the striped dwarf hamster (Cricetulus barabensis) have a dark stripe down the middle of the back. Campbell's Russian dwarf hamster ( Phodopus campbelli) is a species of Dwarf hamster. The Chinese Striped Hamster ( Cricetulus barabensis) also known as the Striped Dwarf Hamster, is a species of Hamster. Dwarf desert hamsters (genus Phodopus) are the smallest, with bodies 5 to 10 cm (about 2 to 4 inches) long; the largest is the common hamster (Cricetus cricetus), measuring up to 34 cm long, not including a short tail of up to 4 cm. The dwarf hamsters represent a group of small Hamsters in the genus Phodopus. The European Hamster, Cricetus cricetus, also known as the Black-bellied Hamster, is a species of Hamster native to Europe. The tail is often difficult to see; usually it is not very long, and on a long haired hamster it is barely visible. Hamsters are very flexible; and their bones are somewhat fragile.

Habitat

Hamsters' northern range extends from central Europe through Siberia, Mongolia, and northern China to Korea. Siberia (Сиби́рь Sibir) is the name given to the vast region constituting almost all of Northern Asia and for the most part currently serving Mongolia (mɒŋˈɡoʊliə, literally Mongol country/nation,) is a Landlocked Country in East China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Korea is a geographic area composed of two sovereign countries a civilization and a former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. The southern portion of their range stretches from Syria to India. Syria ( سوريّة or) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic ar الجمهورية العربية السورية India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Throughout dry, open country they inhabit desert borders, vegetated sand dunes, shrubby and rocky foothills and plateaus, river valleys, and mountain steppes; some live among cultivated crops. A desert is a Landscape or region that receives very little precipitation. Geographic distribution varies greatly between species. The common hamster, for example, is found from central Europe to western Siberia and northwestern China, but the golden hamster has been found only near a small town in northwestern Syria. [3]

Diet

Hamsters are omnivorous. Their diet consists mostly of grains (such as whole grain oats and corn) but also includes fresh fruit, roots such as carrots, green parts of plants. Hamsters carry food in their spacious cheek pouches to cache in the burrow. Hamsters in the Middle East have been known to hunt in packs to find insects for food. [3]

Pet stores sell a variety of treats that are suitable for hamsters. However, it is important not to give a hamster too many of these, especially ones that are high in fat or sugar, because they may lead to the hamster getting diabetes. It is not always best to give hamsters fresh vegetables over fresh fruit, as fruit is also high in sugar. If you give hamsters fruit it is always best to do so as a treat and in extremely small amounts. The skin of fruits such as apples and pears is also good.

Most people try to feed their hamster everyday foods found in their kitchen. It is best to void human foods that will make them unhealthy or be hard for them to digest. It is also important to thoroughly wash fruits, vegetables and greens before feeding, as they can have traces of pesticides. Some foods to avoid giving hamsters are kidney beans, onion, garlic, large amounts of citrus fruit, and potato sprouts. Some hamsters also shouldn't eat iceberg lettuce, as it causes diarrhea. Dark leafy greens are preferred, such as kale and spinach. Celery, green beans, carrots, brocolli on occasion are great also.

Behaviour

Syrian hamsters are generally solitary and will fight to the death if put together, whereas dwarf hamsters can get along with others of the same species. They are primarily considered crepuscular and at one point were considered nocturnal as they are sometimes active all night. Crepuscular is a term used to describe animals that are primarily active during Twilight, hence at Dawn and at Dusk. As an Animal behavior, nocturnality describes sleeping during the Daytime and being active at Night - the opposite of the diurnal They are excellent diggers, constructing burrows with one or more entrances and with galleries that are connected to chambers for nesting, food storage, and other activities. They also like appropriate tunnels made by other mammals; the striped hairy-footed hamster (Phodopus sungorus), for instance, uses paths and burrows of the pika. Winter White Russian hamsters are a species of Hamster in the genus Phodopus. Pikas are small hamster-like animals with short limbs rounded ears and short tails None hibernate during winter, but some (mostly Syrian hamsters) experience periods of torpor lasting from a few days to several weeks. Torpor is a (usually short-term state of decreased physiological activity in an animal usually characterized by a reduced body temperature and rate of metabolism This probably means that conditions are too cold for them. Hamsters are known to stockpile large amounts of food, because of natural instinct from the wild. Because of this behavior it is alright if you leave a hamster alone for a few days if you need to go somewhere. Once you tame a Syrian hamster, they remain so for a very long time. However, once you tame a dwarf hamster, you must keep playing with it. If left alone for a maximum two weeks, it will become untame again. [3]

Reproduction

Hamsters become fertile at different ages dependent on their species, but this can be from one month to three months of age. Male hamsters remain fertile for the rest of their lives, though females do not. Females are in heat approximately every four days.

Breeding season is from April to October, with two to five litters of 1 to 13 young being born after a gestation period of 16 to 22 days. [3] Gestation lasts 16 to 18 days for Syrian hamsters, 18 to 21 days for the Russian hamsters, 21 to 23 days for Chinese hamsters and 23 to 30 for Roborovski Hamsters. The Syrian or Golden Hamster, Mesocricetus auratus, is a very well-known member of the Rodent Subfamily Cricetinae, the The Chinese Hamster is a species of Hamster, scientific names Cricetulus griseus, which originates in the Deserts of northern China and Mongolia Roborovskis ( Phodopus roborovskii) are the smallest of all Hamsters commonly kept as Pets Distinguishing characteristics of the Roborovskis The average litter for Syrians is about 7, but can be as great as 24, which is the maximum number of pups that can be contained in the uterus. Campbell's Dwarf Hamsters tend to have 4 to 8 in a litter but can have up to 14. Campbell's Russian dwarf hamster ( Phodopus campbelli) is a species of Dwarf hamster. Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamsters tend to have slightly smaller litters, as do Chinese and Roborovski hamsters. Winter White Russian hamsters are a species of Hamster in the genus Phodopus.

Hamsters are born hairless and blind in a nest which the mother will have prepared in advance. She uses shredded material such as leaves in the wild but prefers cotton or toilet paper in captivity. After one week they begin to explore outside the nest. They are completely weaned after three weeks, or four for Roborovski Hamsters. Most breeders will sell the hamsters to shops when the hamsters are anywhere from two to eight weeks old.

Classification

Taxonomists currently disagree about the most appropriate placement of the subfamily Cricetinae within the superfamily Muroidea. Hamsters are Rodents belonging to the Subfamily Cricetinae. The subfamily contains about 18 Species, classified in six or seven genera Muroidea is a large Superfamily of Rodents It includes Hamsters Gerbils true mice and Rats and many other relatives Some place it in a family Cricetidae that also includes voles, lemmings, and New World rats and mice; others group all these into a large family called Muridae. The Cricetidae are a family of Rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. A vole is a small Rodent resembling a Mouse but with a stouter body a shorter hairy tail a slightly rounder head and smaller ears and eyes Lemmings are small Rodents usually found in or near the Arctic, in tundra Biomes Together with the Voles and Muskrats they make The New World rats and mice are a group of related rodents found in North and South America. Muridae is the largest family of Mammals It contains over 600 species found naturally throughout Eurasia Africa and Australia Their evolutionary history is recorded by 15 extinct fossil genera and extends back 11. 2 million to 16. 4 million years to the Middle Miocene Epoch in Europe and North Africa; in Asia it extends 6 million to 11 million years. The Miocene is a geological epoch of the Neogene period and extends from about 23 Four of the seven living genera include extinct species. One extinct hamster of Cricetus, for example, lived in North Africa during the Middle Miocene, but the only extant member of that genus is the common hamster of Eurasia. The European Hamster, Cricetus cricetus, also known as the Black-bellied Hamster, is a species of Hamster native to Europe.

Pet ownership

A Russian dwarf hamster
A Russian dwarf hamster
A Roborovski Dwarf Hamster
A Roborovski Dwarf Hamster
A Sable short-haired Syrian Hamster
A Sable short-haired Syrian Hamster
A brown and white Syrian Hamster grooming itself after a dust bath. Hamsters can not be given water baths, it can stress them out and cause wet tail, and it also increases the risk of them catching pneumonia.
A brown and white Syrian Hamster grooming itself after a dust bath. The Chinese Hamster is a species of Hamster, scientific names Cricetulus griseus, which originates in the Deserts of northern China and Mongolia UserPolbot. -->The Kam Dwarf Hamster ( Cricetulus kamensis) is a species of Rodent in the Cricetidae UserPolbot. -->The Long-tailed Dwarf Hamster ( Cricetulus longicaudatus) is a species of Rodent in the UserPolbot. --> The Gray Dwarf Hamster or Grey Hamster ( Cricetulus migratorius) is a species of UserPolbot. --> Sokolov's Dwarf Hamster ( Cricetulus sokolovi) is a species of Rodent in the Cricetidae The European Hamster, Cricetus cricetus, also known as the Black-bellied Hamster, is a species of Hamster native to Europe. The European Hamster, Cricetus cricetus, also known as the Black-bellied Hamster, is a species of Hamster native to Europe. Mesocricetus is a Genus of Old World Hamsters including the Golden hamster or Syrian hamster the first hamster to be introduced The Syrian or Golden Hamster, Mesocricetus auratus, is a very well-known member of the Rodent Subfamily Cricetinae, the The Turkish Hamster Mesocricetus brandti is a species of hamster closely related to the Syrian Hamster. Johann Friedrich von Brandt ( May 25, 1802 - July 15, 1879) was a German naturalist. UserPolbot. -->The Romanian Hamster ( Mesocricetus newtoni) is a species of Rodent in the Cricetidae UserPolbot. --> The Ciscaucasian Hamster ( Mesocricetus raddei) is a species of Rodent in the The dwarf hamsters represent a group of small Hamsters in the genus Phodopus. Campbell's Russian dwarf hamster ( Phodopus campbelli) is a species of Dwarf hamster. Roborovskis ( Phodopus roborovskii) are the smallest of all Hamsters commonly kept as Pets Distinguishing characteristics of the Roborovskis Winter White Russian hamsters are a species of Hamster in the genus Phodopus. The Greater Long-tailed Hamster ( Tscherskia triton) is a major crop -eating rodent that resides in Northern China. The Greater Long-tailed Hamster ( Tscherskia triton) is a major crop -eating rodent that resides in Northern China. Hamsters can not be given water baths, it can stress them out and cause wet tail, and it also increases the risk of them catching pneumonia.

The best-known species of hamster is the Syrian or Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), which is the type of hamster most commonly kept as a pet. The Syrian or Golden Hamster, Mesocricetus auratus, is a very well-known member of the Rodent Subfamily Cricetinae, the A pet is an Animal kept for companionship and enjoyment or a househeld animal as opposed to Livestock, Laboratory animals Working animals It is also sometimes called a "fancy" hamster. Pet stores also have taken to calling them "honey bears," "panda bears," "black bears," "European black bears," "polar bears," "teddy bears," and "Dalmatian", depending on their coloration. There are also several variations, including long-haired varieties that grow hair several centimeters long and often require special care.

Other hamsters that are kept as pets are the four species of "dwarf hamster". The dwarf hamsters represent a group of small Hamsters in the genus Phodopus. Campbell's Dwarf Hamster (Phodopus campbelli) is the most common of the four — they are also sometimes called "Russian Dwarfs"; however, many hamsters are from Russia, and so this ambiguous name does not distinguish them from other species appropriately. Campbell's Russian dwarf hamster ( Phodopus campbelli) is a species of Dwarf hamster. Campbell's Russian dwarf hamster ( Phodopus campbelli) is a species of Dwarf hamster. The coat of the Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster (Phodopus sungorus) turns white during winter (when the hours of daylight decrease). Winter White Russian hamsters are a species of Hamster in the genus Phodopus. The Roborovski Hamster (Phodopus roborovskii) is extremely small and fast. Roborovskis ( Phodopus roborovskii) are the smallest of all Hamsters commonly kept as Pets Distinguishing characteristics of the Roborovskis The Chinese Hamster (Cricetulus griseus), although not technically a true "dwarf hamster", is the only hamster with a prehensile tail (about 4cm long) - most hamsters have very short, non-prehensile tails. The Chinese Hamster is a species of Hamster, scientific names Cricetulus griseus, which originates in the Deserts of northern China and Mongolia Prehensility or Prehensile is the quality of an Appendage or organ that has adapted for grasping or holding

Many breeders also show their hamsters and so breed towards producing a good healthy show hamster with a view to keeping one or two themselves so quality and temperament are of vital importance when planning the breeding. Although breeders of show hamsters specialise in breeding show hamsters, there are also owners who have bred their pet hamsters. A pet is an Animal kept for companionship and enjoyment or a househeld animal as opposed to Livestock, Laboratory animals Working animals These may be the result of a planned or unplanned pregnancy but the hamsters have usually been cared for well and handled regularly, so make very suitable pets. Buying a hamster directly from a breeder means that there is the opportunity to see the parents and know the dates of birth.

In Australia it is illegal to keep hamsters as pets as 'escapees' could breed in the wild and become 'feral' pest animals.

Housing

Hamsters can be kept both in cages and in vivaria, both of which are available in pet stores. A vivarium (Latin literally for "place of life" plural vivaria or vivariums) is an area usually enclosed for keeping and raising animals or Cages are easier to carry; their bars can be used for climbing. On the other hand, glass boxes keep hamsters from throwing litter out of their cages, provide a better view into the hamster's home, and create a quieter and more sheltered interior.

Despite the hamster’s small size, appropriate housing should always have a floor space of at least two square feet and a strong top because hamsters are surprisingly good climbers. Glass boxes must not be higher than their width to allow for a sufficient air circulation. Although smaller in size, dwarf hamsters often need more spacious housing than their larger relatives, at least 80cm by 40cm (2 feet by 4 feet) due to their high activity levels.

In the case of self-built dwellings, care should be taken to avoid materials that are dangerous to the animals. Plywood and wood from conifers is not suitable, because hamsters gnaw at their houses and both glue and resin are poisonous to them. Plywood is a type of Engineered board made from thin sheets of Wood, called plies or veneers Glue or adhesive is a compound that adheres or bonds two items together Resin, not to be confused with Rosin, is a Hydrocarbon Secretion of many Plants particularly coniferous trees. Using standard water-soluble white wood glue to join pieces of solid wood, such as birch or beech wood, creates a safe environment for the hamster, although it may still chew through the wood. Birch is the name of any Tree of the genus Betula ( Bé-tu-la) in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the For the babyfood see Beech-Nut. Beech ( Fagus) is a genus of ten Species of Deciduous Trees in the A purchased cage can be equipped with several intermediate levels, connected using stairs.

Hamsters do best in a well-lit room of constant, moderate temperature (18 to 26°C, 64 to 80°F), in a place out of strong sunlight that could cause dangerous overheating. The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. Fahrenheit is a temperature scale named after Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686–1736 a German Physicist who proposed it in 1724 Dwarf hamsters like it a bit cooler.

The floor of a hamster's residence is generally covered with a layer of litter. Litter made from recycled paper or wood lacking aromatic oils (such as aspen) is healthiest - gnawing and eating cat litter can be deadly, and cedar, pine, or other softwood-based litters may contain phenols that can irritate a hamster's respiratory system, liver, and skin. Aspens are Trees of the willow family and comprise a section of the Poplar genus Populus sect In Organic chemistry, phenols, sometimes called phenolics, are a class of Chemical compounds consisting of a Hydroxyl group (- There is also commercial bedding available, such as Carefresh and Megazorb.

An often-used type of hamster cage with tubes, too small for a full grown syrian.

Hamster cage with wheel and water bottle

Note that these standard tubes cannot be used at a steep incline with dwarf hamsters

A large hamster cage consisting of many interconnecting chambers, mimicking an underground burrow.

Exercise and entertainment

A hamster in a solid hamster wheel
A hamster in a solid hamster wheel

Like all pets, hamsters need exercise and entertainment to maintain their physical and mental health. "Exercise wheels" allow hamsters to run full speed, and are a common fixture in pet hamsters' enclosures. The related term squirrel cage may refer to * a Squirrel cage rotor * a squirrel cage fan or blower Avoid using wheels with individual rungs or bars but rather select those with a solid base for comfortable running. This is because a hamster may trip and its legs may get caught on the rungs of the wheel while using it. It is also important that the wheel is big enough for the full adult size of the hamster, so a Syrian would require a wheel at least 8 inches in diameter. Olive oil (which is harmless to a hamster if ingested) can be used to lubricate the axle of the exercise wheel to reduce friction and cut down on turning noises when in use, vegetable oil can also be used in the same manner. Other common objects are plastic balls or cars that the hamster can be placed in so that they can be supervised while exploring outside their cage. Lack of exercises for a hamster may cause it to suffer from paralysis, and the affected hamster will have a hunched over posture. [4]

Hamsters are nest builders, so most owners supply strips of tissue or toilet paper so they may build a secure spot in a corner or in their "house". Avoid using newspapers as the ink on it might be ingested when the hamster chews on them. An ink is a Liquid containing various Pigments and/or Dyes used for coloring a surface to produce an Image, text, or Also avoid bleached-white toilet paper. Hay is also a valuable building material for cozy hamster nests, but may pose the risk of having pesticides on it or sharp pieces that could cut or scratch the hamster. Therefore, select dry hay such as Timothy and use the softer, leafy parts of the hay rather than the stems. Sawdust made from pine, and cedar wood shavings are not suitable for nesting material as stated earlier. It is not advisable to use lint, as the hamster may consume it and the lint will block their intestinal passage. Fine chinchilla sand (not chinchilla dust because the powdery material will cause respiratory problems) can be given in an enclosed container. Hamsters enjoy rolling in the sand to keep their fur clean and dry.

Hamsters, like many rodents, are also gnawers, and must be supplied with appropriate materials for doing so; for example, an edible gnaw toy or an unpainted wooden block can be placed in the cage. Failure to do so can cause dental problems for the hamster, as the incisors, which grow continually, will become too long and cause discomfort and/or eating problems.

Food

A Syrian hamster eating specially-designed hamster food.
A Syrian hamster eating specially-designed hamster food.

Many hamsters tend to carry food from the source (by carrying it in their cheek pouches) and hoard it away in a cache hidden somewhere inside their container. Fresh vegetables and fruits, seeds, and insects like grasshoppers make up an important part of hamsters' natural diet. The term " vegetable " generally means the edible parts of Plants The definition of the word is traditional rather than Scientific, however The term fruit has different meanings dependent on context and the term is not synonymous in Food preparation and Biology. Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described Grasshoppers are Insects of the suborder Caelifera in the order Orthoptera. However, not all foods are suitable for hamsters and some, such as sweets made for humans or poisonous plants like the leaves of the tomato or rhubarb, are dangerous for hamsters. The tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum, syn Lycopersicon lycopersicum) is a herbaceous usually sprawling plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family Rheum is a genus of Perennial plants that grows from thick short Rhizomes The genus is in the family Polygonaceae, and includes the vegetable Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons should never be fed to a hamster because their stomachs can not handle the acid. Iceburg lettuce has very little nutritional value and in excess can cause liver problems. Campbell's Dwarf Hamsters are susceptible to hereditary diabetes, and any hamster suffering from diabetes should not have high sugar foods, such as fruit and corn. Campbell's Russian dwarf hamster ( Phodopus campbelli) is a species of Dwarf hamster. Diabetes mellitus (ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz or /ˌdaɪəˈbiːtəs/ /məˈlaɪtəs/ or /ˈmɛlətəs/ often referred to simply as diabetes ( Ancient Greek: grc

In detail, the solid food components can be divided into three categories: dry, fresh, and animal food. Dry food generally makes up the bulk of a hamster's diet. Besides the standard rodent food sold in pet stores, most other kinds of seeds, kernels, and nuts can be given. A seed (in some plants referred to as a kernel) is a small embryonic Plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat usually with some stored Nut is a general term for the large dry oily Seeds or Fruit of some Plants. Bird food like millet is a noteworthy alternative for small hamsters. The millets are a group of small- Seeded Species of Cereal crops or grains widely grown around the world for Food and Fodder

Sex and longevity

A mother "Teddy Bear" Hamster with her two pups, who are less than one week old.
A mother "Teddy Bear" Hamster with her two pups, who are less than one week old. The Syrian or Golden Hamster, Mesocricetus auratus, is a very well-known member of the Rodent Subfamily Cricetinae, the

Syrian hamsters typically live no more than two to three years in captivity, less than that in the wild. Russian Hamsters (Campbell's and Winter White) live approximately 1. 5 to 2 years in captivity, and Chinese Hamsters 2. 5 to 3 years. The smaller Roborovski Hamster often lives to 3 to 3. Roborovskis ( Phodopus roborovskii) are the smallest of all Hamsters commonly kept as Pets Distinguishing characteristics of the Roborovskis 5 years in captivity. Both Syrian and Russian hamsters mature quickly and can begin reproducing at a young age (4–5 weeks), whereas Chinese hamsters will usually begin reproducing at 2–3 months of age, and Roborovskis at 3–4 months of age.

A male "Teddy Bear" Hamster
A male "Teddy Bear" Hamster

Left to their own devices, hamsters will produce several litters a year with several pups in each litter. Male and female hamsters are therefore usually kept in separate enclosures to prevent the addition of unwanted offspring. Male (♂ refers to the sex of an organism or part of an organism which produces small mobile Gametes called spermatozoa. Female (♀ is the Sex of an Organism, or a part of an organism which produces ova (egg cells When seen from above, a sexually mature female hamster has a trim tail line; a male's tail line bulges on both sides. Male hamsters typically have very large testes in relation to their body size. The testicle (from Latin testiculus, diminutive of testis, meaning "witness" virility plural testes) is the male Before sexual maturity occurs at about 4–6 weeks, it is more difficult to determine a young hamster's sex. When examined, female hamsters have two holes close together, whereas males have anal and genital openings further apart than the female's. (The penis is usually withdrawn into the coat and thus appears as a hole or pink pimple. )

Health conditions

Main article: Hamster health conditions

Relationships among hamsters

Neumann et al. Hamster health conditions can include anything from dental problems due to the continuous growth of the teeth to tumors which can cause cancer (2006) conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis of 12 of the above 17 species of hamster using DNA sequence from three genes: 12S rRNA, cytochrome b, and von Willebrand factor. A DNA sequence or genetic sequence is a succession of letters representing the Primary structure of a real or hypothetical DNA Molecule History See also History of genetics The existence of genes was first suggested by Gregor Mendel (1822-1884 who in the 1860s studied inheritance Cytochrome b/b6 is main subunit of transmembrane cytochrome bc1 and b6f complexes Von Willebrand factor (vWF is a Blood Glycoprotein involved in Hemostasis. They uncovered the following relationships:

Phodopus group

The genus Phodopus was found to represent the earliest split among hamsters. Their analysis included both species. The results of another study (Lebedev et al. , 2003) may suggest that Cricetulus kamensis (and presumably the related C. alticola) might belong to either this Phodopus group or hold a similar basal position.

Mesocricetus group

The genus Mesocricetus also form a clade. A clade is a taxonomic group comprising a single Common ancestor and all the descendants of that ancestor Their analysis included all four species, with M. auratus and M. raddei forming one subclade and M. brandti and M. newtoni another.

Remaining genera

The remaining genera of hamsters formed a third major clade. Two of the three sampled species within Cricetulus represent the earliest split. This clade contains Cricetulus barabensis (and presumably the related C. sokolovi) and Cricetulus longicaudatus.

Miscellaneous

The remaining clade contains members of Allocricetulus, Tscherskia, Cricetus, and Cricetulus migratorius. Allocricetulus and Cricetus were sister taxa. Cladistics is the hierarchical classification of Species based on evolutionary ancestry Cricetulus migratorius was their next closest relative, and Tscherskia was basal.

Similar animals

Note that there are some rodents which are sometimes called "hamsters" that are not currently classified in the hamster subfamily Cricetinae. These include the Maned Hamster or Crested Hamster, which is really the Maned Rat (Lophiomys imhausi), although not nearly as marketable under that name. The Maned Rat (or Crested Rat, as it is sometimes known ( Lophiomys imhausi) is a nocturnal long-haired and bushy-tailed East African Rodent Others are the mouse-like hamsters (Calomyscus spp. Mouse-like hamsters are a group of small Rodents found in Syria, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and ), and the white-tailed rat (Mystromys albicaudatus). The White-tailed Rat, Mystromys albicaudatus, also known as the white-tailed mouse, is the only member of the subfamily Mystromyinae in the family

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ Doublas Harper, The Online Etymology Dictionary, s. Tales of the Riverbank, sometimes called Hammy Hamster, is a Canadian Children's television show starring Hammy Hamster and other animals The Hampster Dance or Hampsterdance is one of the earliest examples of an Internet meme, originally a simple Geocities page featuring rows is a children and family Anime Television program that is fit for All Ages v. "hamster" (2001) <http://www.etymonline.com>.
  2. ^ Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, s. v. "hamster" (May 29, 2008) <http://http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamster>.
  3. ^ a b c d "hamster. " Encyclopædia Britannica. Standard Edition. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2007.
  4. ^ Hamster Hideout - Hamster Care - Ailments

Resources

External links

Dictionary

hamster

-noun

  1. A small, short-tailed European rodent, Cricetus frumentarius, often kept as a pet. It is remarkable for having a pouch on each side of the jaw, under the skin, and for its migrations.
  2. (zoology) Any of various Old-world rodent species belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae.

-verb

  1. (intransitive) (colloquial) To flit in absentminded fashion from task to task, none of which are urgent; to be active, but not excessively busy or focused, at a series of tasks.
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