| Hamster General FAQ's |
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| Find all the RodentGuy's general answers on hamster keeping: "What breed of hamster do I have?" RG sez - There are many types of hamsters, but only 5 species that are seen in the pet trade industry. The most known hamster is the Syrian hamster, which is also the largest, and the most common. When people say "hamster" this is the first species that comes to mind. Syrians maybe sold under different names and labled by the retailers as 'different' according to color or hair type. Don't be fooled - these are all Syrians hamsters: (thought these names used in pet shops, not necessatrily by breeders) Banded, Teddy Bear, Panda (European) Black Bear, Panda Bear, Rainbow Bear, Calico, Fancy hamster, Angora, Long hair, Hairless (a.k.a. Alien Bear), Rex, Satin, Snowball, Polar Bear, Gray Bear, Frosted and Golden hamsters. Most of these labes are NOT used by true fanciers of the Syrians. This is all one species but there are some extended rules that apply to breeding certain colors and types but this is for advanced breeders only and we will not deal with this here. HEALTH ALERT: Syrians are often prone to Wet Tail, a highly contagious disease in hamsters that dehydrates and can kill the animal very quickly. Dwarf hamsters are not likely to get this ailment. There are 4 species of Dwarf hamsters common in the pet trade. First lets talk about the Chinese dwarf. This is a rat-like hamster with a narrow head and bullet shape body ending with a rather long hairless tail. These are said to be the 'bite;ess' hamster, which maybe true, but they also tend to urinate when frightened or trying to get away from you. California and some other areas of the US may impose resprictions on keeping this species. The next 3 dwarf hamsters are in the group called Russian Dwarf hasmters (RDH), obviously showing the part of the world to which they are natives. First is the lesser known of the three, the Roborovski (Robo), which is also the smallest. Sandy fawn coloerd with white under side and chin, with happy white "eyebrows" over each eye. There is a mutaion that cause "white face", extending the whie over the entire face. The most well distributed and the dwarf hamster with the most color variations is the Campbells Russian Dwarf. Not only do they occur in the normal agouti pattern, but also in Opal, argente, black eye argente (bea), black, blue, dove and lilac, just to mention a few. Patterns include mottled and platinum with add white areas to the coat. Various coat textures include >>>>> Next is Winter White - which is not always white and not always in the winter!! There are a few color variations in the species, that differ from the normal brown -gray agouti color that is normal. Some individuals will whiten in their coat as the season change. These are more compact built then the Campbells, with a Roman nose and more prominent eyes. There are a few color variations, aside from the seasonal color changes. Since these last two (Campbells and WinterWhites) are the ONLY species that can interbreed, creating hybrids (sometimes called 'puddins'), you must look out for these hamsters in the pet market. Hybrids should never be used for breeding, but are just OK for pets. By breeding these anomalies, the original species could be eliminated, causing the loss of both in the future. Due to the size differnce in the heads, this cross breeding and birth could kill the female. Hybrids are most often sterile, or carry the worst traits of both parents. "Can I have 2 or more hamsters in the same cage?" RG sez - This would deoend on the speciies. Syrians are total loners and need to be caged only ONE PER CAGE by the time they are 6-8 weeks of age or sooner. They may seem fine together, but one day you may well awake to a dead or injured hamster! DO NOT RISK THIS!! Dwarfs are social and will be happy in a pair or colony, BUT as pets you must only have one sex per cage AND these should be hamsters from the same litter *(sister/sisters or brother/brother) or at the very least hamsters that were placed together as very young animals (by the time they are 4 weeks of age). Again, they must be of the same sex! How can I tell if my hamster is a boy or girl?" RG sez - The best way to tell is to look at the difference in space between the anal opening and the sex organ opening. Closely spaced indicates a female, futher space is a male..... More photo Info - |
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