Syrian hamsters have rapidly become very popular household pets in the western world ever since Professor Aharoni captured a female hamster and her 12 pubs in Aleppo Syria back in 1930. However, if they become scared or startled, they might react by biting. So, this pet isnt a short-term commitment, but wont be with you for as long as an animal like a dog would. Female Short-Haired Hamster. During estrous periods, female hamsters will go into heat once about every 4 days. Its hard to know exactly how much, because there is no legal minimum size, and pet store cages can be quite small. This is mainly due to their size as they are more robust than dwarf hamsters, especially if you buy your pet very young. At two weeks, hamster babies may be weaned, and this is an excellent time to begin handling puppies destined for a life as a companion. If the female is not introduced when she is in season, potentially fatal fighting will ensue. The quality of your hamsters diet plays a role in their health and longevity. Hamster personalities could be different regardless of sex. communicate with sounds in the ultrasonic range. These little animals are much cheaper to care for than bigger pets. Once your hamster is happy to be held, you need to master the art of picking them up. Volia Nikaci is a freelance copywriter and content editor with a passion and expertise in content creation, branding, and marketing. It appears that all existing laboratory and pet Syrian hamster are descendantsof a brother-sister pair that were captured in Syria in 1930. Likemice, hamsters are omnivores and feed mostly on seeds, nuts, small insects, and food that is left behind by humans. Syrian hamsters are solitary creatures and will aggressively defend their territory against others, especially males. The care usuallytaker can control other environmental aspects. Teddy Bear hamsters are friendly, providing they have undergone proper handling. Prices of a hamster and all of its necessary supplies will vary depending on where you go. Chewing is a natural behavior so providing them with safe means to do what comes naturally keeps them happy. The bigger one can be almost 12 inches long which is double than dwarf hamsters. They need to live with other hamsters to be healthy, whereas Syrian hamsters have to live alone to become healthy. After two weeks, the hamster will begin to be able to see, can walk on its own, and has a fully formed coat. I loved my teddy bear hamster- Bugsy. Teddy bear hamsters have the shortest gestation period of all the breeds, at around 16 days, and from the 10 day mark you will start to notice her belly swelling. A Syrian hamster with long hair is often referred to as a teddy bear hamster, due to its cute and fluffy appearance whilst a short haired Syrian hamster is known as a fancy hamster, although the names are interchangeable. Syrian Hamsters are small rodents about the size of an adult human hand - The adult size ranges from 5 - 7 inches in length. Once the hamster pups arrive you shouldnt need to look after them as this is the job of mum. Initial research on hamsters determined that the mammalian circadian rhythm is modulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the brain. Do not put more than one teddy bear hamster in a cage. The Manual of Exotic Pet Practice published a research article (Hamsters and Gerbils) which clearly mentions that the Golden (Syrian) hamster was originally classified in 1839. When a Syrian hamster reaches the age of 12 weeks (3 months old), it is considered fully mature. What Do Teddy Bear Hamsters Like To Play With? Black Otter Rex Rabbits Is This Bunny Right for You? Tubes satisfy the burrowing behavior in hamsters. Maximum they may live upto 7 years. Hamsters are one of the cutest rodents that many of us are happy to keep as a pet. Although most hamsters are rehomed before they hit sexual maturity, female hamsters are able to get pregnant from as early as 6-8 weeks old. Females are more prone to bite, and this may be because they are more territorial. Discover (and save!) According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest hamster lived to be 7 years of age. The Arabic name for hamsters roughly translates to Mister Saddlebags. So, how can this little creature be anything but cute! . But if you overfeed them they can grow even bigger. Just like us humans, hamsters do not like to be roused from their sleep. Weve had hamsters for years. Its hilarious, he scrunches up his little face and sometimes screams at me. The Department of Animal Science at Cornell University published an article in which the longevity of hamsters was studied. Most hamsters can be tamed quickly with regular, gentle handling, but in order to build up complete trust, there are certain steps you should follow. In fact, black bear hamsters also exist, and are another name for Syrian hamsters with black fur. Once your hamster feels happy enough to come towards you on their own accord, try to coerce them into a container so that you can take them someone safe and enclosed to hold them. Although in books you are much more likely to come across cute mice or nasty rats, hamsters are by far one of the most popular childrens pets with the teddy bear hamster topping the must have wish list. These hamsters are the smallest among domestic hamsters. Hamster Guru is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. There are other individuals of the species who do have different colors, ranging from black to white to spotted and some even have long fine fur that requires special maintenance. Its no wonder that this furry little rodent continues to be such a popular pet choice. Females younger than 10 weeks should not be bred. But, they can also have light or dark patterns and markings all over their bodies! So before taking a hamster home, its important to have their cage set up beforehand. Hamsters are crepuscular, which means they sleep during the day and are usually most active during dawn and dusk. Teddys are smart lovable and just so darn adorable! Moreover, are long haired hamsters friendly? Hamsters are small and adorable creatures, making them perfect pets for those who live in confined spaces. When it comes to the distinctive long-hair, teddy bear look, youll only find that in Syrian hamsters. Hamsters can even learn tricks and habits, so this is a pet youll interact with a lot. Providing you get your hamster used to being handled from a very young age, it will love being held by you. This size makes golden hamsters the perfect pet, as they are big enough to handle and interact with. Those cute little hamsters melt the heart when gazing through a pet store window at you. Speak to him before reaching your hand into his cage, especially if he is asleep. Teddy bear is a term used to describe a Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) with long hair. Although hamsters are relatively low maintenance, you should always do your research before bringing any new animal into your home. The average life expectancy of Syrian hamsters is 2 to 2.5 years, although some can live up to 3 years. It is an inherent instinct the hamster still has. Hamsters should have exercise and a clean cage. Hamsters are excellent diggers and are known to create rather elaborate underground burrows with multiple entrances and exits. You should also ensure that there is plenty of bedding material at their disposal, as she will need it for making a nest for her and her young. Fortunately, you do have a lot of control over these factors. Syrians are territorial animals and will fight and kill each other in the same cage. Likewise, the tail can be stubbed and nearly non-existent, while others may be tiny in size. In addition to coat length, sheen, and patterns are colors. A hamsters life cycle is normally completed by the time this adorable, furry rodent gets to about three years old. There are 24 species of hamster and they belong to the family Cricetidae. Syrian hamsters are the most common variant of pet hamster around the world. In fact, they're some of the most popular small pets in the Western world. Hamster Wet Tail How To Spot It And What To Do Hamsters Hibernate? Buying a teddy bear hamster doesnt have to be expensive in fact you can give a hamster a home for free if you choose to adopt. However, there have been instances where these little furballs make it past the average estimates. They typically weigh around 120 to 125 grams when fully grown. Don't see the answer that you're looking for? You may also use treats to allow your hamster to gain trust. Sometimes, hamsters in the wild have been found to occupy the abandoned burrows of other burrowing species. Also, youll have to plan ahead for feeding them and otherwise ensuring their wellbeing. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest hamster lived to be 7 years of age. How Often Do You Feed A Hamster? They can attain 4-7 in (10.16-17.78 cm) of length when they become adults and have a weight of 4 oz (113.4 g). When she's not writing she loves traveling, perusing used book stores, and hanging out with her other half. You will need to clean out a fancy bear hamsters home regularly. Finally, please make sure that you keep back some money, just in case your hamster falls ill. Its amazing what a quick trip to the vets can cost as we discovered when our hamster became sick. Just make sure not to choose somewhere they can escape from. A Data-Backed Answer, How To Tame A Hamster: 10 Safe And Proven Tips. Such patterns include roan, banded, dominant spot, or tortoiseshell. There are different kinds of dwarf hamsters, and the longest living is the Robovoski that provides an expected lifespan of up to 4 many years. The hamster in the Guiness World Record book lived to an impressive 4.5 years old! This could be so they avoid owls who mostly hunt at night or to avoid extreme temperatures of day and night. Dwarf breeds are more likely to get diabetes. If youre curious how your baby hamster will continue to grow, stay tuned! Puppies should be taken from the cage at 4 to 5 weeks, or their mothers will turn against them. So, just keep one by itself. In order to tame your pet hamster, you should use the same technique as you would for all hamsters. But a hamsters friendliness also depends on their gender, how tame they are, and whether or not theyre being kept on their own. Larger than Dwarf Hamsters, The Syrian hamster - also known as the Golden or Teddy bear hamster is a small rodent belonging to the Cricetinae family. The lifespan is shorter for wild hamsters. If you try to put two teddy bear hamsters together, they may attack one another. What is the difference between a Syrian hamster and a teddy bear hamster? A baby hamster is called a pup. It is pink, with no fur, and blind at birth. The oldest recorded teddy bear hamster livedfor 8 years. Theyre also known as fancy bear hamsters! Although they are often referred to as nocturnal, most teddy bear hamsters are crepuscular, which means they are more likely to be active at dawn or dusk which fits in perfectly with the school day. Slightly warmer or cooler than this range is also acceptable. Adolescence arrives quickly in hamsters since they only live a few years. 2022 Science Trends LLC. Her temperament may also change, shell start to make a nest for her young and she may make it clear that she no longer wants to be handled. Im in the San Diego area and am trying to find a local breeder so that I can buy a Syrian hampster that has been handled. To better understand where Syrian (Teddy Bear) hamsters fit in with domestic/pet hamster species, lets identify the common pet hamster species. So, try not to surprise your hamster when you want to handle him. Look for any old food and remove it from the cage. They are solitary animals with an average lifespan of 2-3 years. This does not mean that your pet hamster cant live longer because Syrian hamsters can live so long as 4 years and possibly more. Distinctive spots of yellow, cinnamon, orange, Bedding (cedar and pine shavings should never be used), Reasonably quiet, warm room 64-79 degrees (F) (17-26 C), Placed on a solid surface such as a sturdy table, counter, or stand, On a surface where it can tip over or fall. You will, however, need to put in extra effort and care when you first bring home your teddy bear hamster as you will need to tame it and train it not to bite. So, the long-haired Syrian hamsters, start to have long hair once they reach 3 or 4 inches long. As well as what this tiny pet can bring to you and your familys lives. A Syrian hamsters gestation period is 15 to 18 days. Your hamster will need a cage that provides enough room to explore, burrow, exercise, and enjoy. Whats your favorite thing about this little pet? Female hamsters can reproduce between the ages of 8 and 10 weeks when they weigh an average of 90 to 100 grams. Since it is pretty gentle and enjoys being held, it is sometimes called teddy bear. I am pleased to say that Oscar has over-delivered on his hamster potential and we couldnt imagine life with him. Teddy Bear (Syrian) hamsters are large, and because of this, theyll need a roomy cage. When Alex isn't nerdily stalking the internet for science news, he enjoys tabletop RPGs and making really obscure TV references. Theres no mistaking a Teddy Bear hamster because its hair may look a bit unruly and in need of a good combing. You can expect to pay a little bit more for quality hamsters from a breeder compared to those in pet stores. Small servings of fresh vegetables and fruits. Hamsters actually have a relatively complex system of endocrine signaling that is responsible for displays of social dominance and submission. Wild teddy bear hamsters have been domesticated into wonderful little pets. Adults should always be fully involved in the caste of hamsters and other small animals. Although red or pink eyes are considered rare, there is a very rare eye color that consists of two different colored eyes. He has so much personality already. This is true of both wild and domesticated hamsters. Teddy bear hamsters like wooden and cardboard chew toys. Most older, responsible children can definitely be taught to handle hamsters with patience, and are very willing to learn about correct hamster care. Accessories will also require extra room within the cage. The teddy bear hamster is also known as a long-haired Syrian hamster. Teddy bear hamsters are typically weaned from their mothers when they are between 3 weeks and 4 weeks old. After being bred in Jerusalem, members of the subsequent breeding colony were exported to the US where they becamepopular house pets. Just because your hamster doesnt drink that much does not mean they are not interested in water and that it should be substituted for something else. It is of course tempting to want to hold your hamster immediately after purchasing them, but they are likely to be scared and confused at first, so you should wait a few days to let them relax and adapt to their new surroundings. When it comes to their little ears, they may be pointed or rounded, or dark or light. One can find the Syrian Hamsters in different colours and patterns. Syrian hamsters are more likely to get wet tail than dwarf varieties, which is severe diarrhea with a low survival rate in all hamsters. However, hamsters are delicate and will bite when stressed or in pain. You cannot prevent getting a hamster with predispositions, but you can be more careful to prevent your pet from getting a life-threatening illness. Other teddy bear hamster clubs include: the Midland Hamster Club in England, and the California Hamster Association in America. The oldest recorded teddy bear hamster lived for 8 years. Their coat patterns are diverse and can range from no pattern to a hamster with a calico/tortoiseshell look. Daily interaction with a new hamster is a must. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can buy huge cages and tanks that you can fill with over 10 inches of burrowing bedding. 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