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HAMSTER |
Hamsters are rodents (order
Rodentia) belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae,
which contains 18 species classified in seven genera. They have
become established as popular small house
pets.The
best-known species of hamster is the golden or
Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus
auratus), which is the type most commonly kept as pets. Other hamster
species commonly kept as pets are the three species of dwarf hamster, Campbell's dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli), the winter white dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus) and the Roborovski hamster (Phodopus roborovskii).
Hamsters are more crepuscular than nocturnal and,
in the wild, remain underground during the day to avoid being caught by
predators. They feed primarily on seeds, fruits, and vegetation, and will
occasionally eat burrowing insects. Physically, they are stout-bodied with
distinguishing features that include elongated cheek pouches extending
to their shoulders, which they use to carry food back to their burrows,
as well as a short tail and fur-covered feet.
Hamsters are typically stout-bodied,
with tails shorter than body length, and have small, furry ears, short, stocky
legs, and wide feet. They have thick, silky fur, which can be long or short,
colored black, grey, honey, white, brown, yellow, red, or a mix, depending on
the species. Two species of hamster belonging to the genus Phodopus, Campbell's dwarf hamster (P. campbelli) and the Djungarian hamster (P. sungorus), and two of the
genus Cricetulus,
the Chinese striped hamster (C. barabensis) and the Chinese
hamster (C. griseus)
have a dark stripe down their heads to their tails. The species of genus Phodopus are the smallest, with
bodies 5.5 to 10.5 cm (2.2 to 4.1 in) long; the largest is the European
hamster (Cricetus
cricetus), measuring up to 34 cm (13.4 in) long, not including
a short tail of up to 6 cm (2.4 in).
The hamster tail can be
difficult to see, as it is usually not very long (about 1/6 the length of the
body), with the exception of the Chinese
hamster, which has a tail the same length as the body. One rodent
characteristic that can be highly visible in hamsters is their sharp incisors;
they have an upper pair and lower pair which grow continuously throughout life,
so must be regularly worn down. Hamsters are very flexible, but their bones are
somewhat fragile. They are extremely susceptible to rapid temperature changes
and drafts, as well as extreme heat or cold.
A behavioral characteristic of
hamsters is food hoarding. They carry food in their
spacious cheek pouches to their underground storage chambers. When full, the
cheeks can make their heads double, or even triple in size. Hamsters lose
weight during the autumn months in anticipation of winter. This occurs even
when hamsters are kept as pets and is related to an increase in exercise.
Hamsters are omnivores. Although pet
hamsters can survive on a diet of exclusively commercial hamster food, other
items, such as vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts, can be given. Hamsters in
the Middle East have been known to hunt in packs to find insects for food. Hamsters
are hindgut fermenters and eat their own feces (coprophagy) to recover
nutrients digested in the hindgut, but not absorbed.
on their flanks (and abdomens in
Chinese and dwarf hamsters) which they rub against the substrate, leaving a
scent trail. Hamsters also use their sense of smell to distinguish between the
sexes, and to locate food. They are also particularly sensitive to high-pitched
noises and can hear and communicate in the ultrasonic range.Hamsters
have poor eyesight; they are nearsighted and colorblind.Hamsters
have scent glands
reproduction
male hamsters have larger testes according to their body size. Young hamsters are more difficult to have sex.
Hamster fertilization at different ages depends on the species, but can be done at the age of 4 months to 6 months. Male hamsters can still do for conception, but not females. female hamsters experience estrus approximately every three days.
The breeding season occurs from April to October, with 1 to 13 children born after a pregnancy period of 13 to 22 days. Pregnancy occurs 16 to 18 days for Sirian hamsters, 18 to 21 days for Russian hamsters, 21 to 23 days for Chinese hamsters and 23 for 30 for Roborovski hamsters.
After a female hamster becomes pregnant, the hamster will build a nest and raise their children there. They are hairy, their eyes are closed and very small. After 1 week, they start around their nest and eat. After 3 weeks, child hamsters can leave their nests. Roborvski except for hamsters, which can only come out of the cage within 4 weeks. Usually, male and female hamsters are separated when female hamsters give birth, to avoid unwanted things. Children of hamsters also can not be held, so it is not eaten by the mother. After one week they begin to explore outside the nest. They have all been done after 3 weeks, or 4 weeks for Roborovski hamsters. Most people will sell hamsters to stores when they are 2 to 8 months old.
Hamsters can be stored both in cages and at the Aquarium. Hamster cages that are under 80 x 50 cm are poor hamster cages. Aquarium cages can prevent hamsters from throwing out sawdust and other rubbish from the cage, providing a better view for the hamster, calmer, and prevent the environment around the dirty cage.
Despite its small size, a suitable home for hamsters must always have a place of at least 80 × 50 cm and a strong upper part because the hamster is a good climber. Glass boxes should not be taller than their length for air circulation, and because of their smaller size, hamsters need a larger cage, at least 80 centimeters because of their large activity.
"Bar Biting" is a sign that a hamster is under severe stress due to a narrow cage
Avoid dangerous objects which are dangerous for animals. Wood from conifers or plywood is not suitable for hamsters, because the hamster will cut off the wood and both glue and resin are poisonous to them. Store-bought cages are usually too small and cause a "biting bar" which is a sign of a stressed hamster.
Hamster normal temperature is 18 to 26 ° C (64 to 80 ° F)
The floor of a hamster's residence is usually filled with sawdust. Wood dust is made from discarded paper or wood with aromas is the healthiest. Tighten and eat wood dust made from cedar, pine, and may contain phenols which can damage the respiratory system, hamster's skin and skin.
the life cycle of hamster is starting from the baby, after 3 weeks the hamster is ripe, then after 6 weeks it has reached the hamster will mate and have a marriage, after all that hamster will become an adult.
question
1. What is Hamster's food ?
2. Where hamsters live ?
3. Who is contain a baby hamster ?
4. When can a child's hamster leave the nest?
5. How the hamster's life cycle is ?
