According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, adult Syrian hamsters can grow to about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) and weigh 4-5 ounces (110-140 g.) These figures are based on ideal conditions which provide an exercise outlet. Rodentia Family Cricetidae Genus Mesocricetus SPECIES Mesocricetus auratus Population size Unknown Life Span 2-4 yrs Top speed 6 km/h Weight 100-125 g Length 13-18 cm The golden hamster or Syrian hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus ) is a rodent belonging to the hamster subfamily, Cricetinae. Cleaning the cage will prevent stress for the hamster while also protecting against diseases like wet tail. Fancy bear hamster sizes generally range between 4 to 6 inches long, though they can grow larger. "So my hamster ate my other hamster, and I'm 8 years old. Remember to do this during their active periods around dawn and dusk to not disturb their sleep. Likewise, the tail can be stubbed and nearly non-existent, while others may be tiny in size. Syrian hamsters in the wild live much shorter lives than our domesticated pets. Like any animal, teddy bear hamsters can be unpredictable and should always be handled with care. Syrian Hamsters are small rodents about the size of an adult human hand - The adult size ranges from 5 - 7 inches in length. In the event that you try to handle any hamster during daylight hours, it will be more likely to bite you out of stress. What Can Be Controlled? 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. You can expect to pay a little bit more for quality hamsters from a breeder compared to those in pet stores. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest hamster lived to be 7 years of age. A Healthy Schedule, Head may be heavily colored or have no color, Head coloring tapers off, becoming pale or disappearing towards the tail, A white band is present in the middle section of the body, Predominantly white with random patches or spots of color. The Florida International Universitys Director of Laboratory Animal Research states in an article that male hamsters are not only easier to handle but are more friendly. Hamsters should be fed a diet that mimics what they would naturally eat in the wild. They typically weigh around 120 to 125 grams when fully grown. Below we have come up with a list of 15 most commonly asked questions and facts, which we hope will inform and delight you. The most important factor in health and longevity for a hamster is diet. For hamster parents entertaining the notion of Teddy Bear hamster breeding, we suggest you do your research because Syrian hamsters are solitary, and females wont hesitate to attack a male or even eat their newborn pups. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. In the long-term hamsters need very little, relying on us daily for the basics of food, water and shelter. Mouse vs Rat: 5 Main Differences Explained. The same applies for hamster snacks, especially the pre bought varieties, which although are great for keeping teeth in check, are often laden with honey, syrups and extra sugars. Hamster Leash: Is It An Accessory Worth Considering? He is napping in his hut in his new habitat as I type this. Several factors contribute to the hamsters lifespan. This indicates that the hamster is sexually mature as well as having achieved or is very near to reaching its full length. Hamsters came from Syria to America in 1936. How Long Do Teddy Bear Hamsters Live? Technically, hamsters are not true hibernators, as they only go into such a state for periods (torpors) of 10-20 days, not for an extended period of time. There are several different species of hamsters, but the most common "Hamsters are small, rodent-like mammals that belong to the subfamily Cricetinae. If in any doubt, then you should take your hamster to a vet who can determine the sex for you. Pre-packaged muesli or pellets bought from your local pet store offer a great source of nutrients and minerals for your hamster, however small quantities of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs offer a great way to supplement their diet. Syrian hamsters are undeniably cute on the outside. However, in captivity, they have been known to live longer, up to 3-4 years. Long-haired are known as Teddy Bears, while short-hair are known as Goldens or Fancy Bears. 3 useful ways to treat a sick hamster You can, How Many Babies Do Hamsters Have In A Litter? Don't see the answer that you're looking for? How Many Babies Do Hamsters Have In A Litter? So, this pet isnt a short-term commitment, but wont be with you for as long as an animal like a dog would. According to the Journal of Zoology (Notes on the current distribution and the ecology of wild golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus,) the main distribution area of wild Syrian hamsters is in Syrias Aleppo plateau. I had the seat belt over the carrier to keep him safe. I could use them! Even though they are raised as a part of a litter, they do not tolerate the company of another one once they reach the age of 5 to 10 weeks. Teddy bear hamsters can live anywhere from 2-5 years, but they most commonly live between . Some of the information on this page is incorrect. Mikos Teddy Bear Hamster by Melbelle via Wikimedia Commons is licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en. Once your hamster is happy to be held, you need to master the art of picking them up. Syrian Hamster Lifespan. They reach about 5-7 inches in length as adults and weigh around 4 ounces (about 1/4th of a pound). Its known as heterochromia one eye is black, and the other is red. 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. Syrians will either be one color (known as self) or have a crescent shape on their cheek and a light belly (known as agouti.). Occasional treats from the pet store/vet. However, they also will become submissive following a social defeat by another hamster as a form of learned helplessness. Hamsters dont just sleep in their cages all the time, theyre really active! 2022 Science Trends LLC. Domestic hamsters will still burrow if given the appropriate space to do so. Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. This means, each one is truly unique to its little family! In particular, experimentation on Syrian hamsters has shed light on tumorigenesis in human patients with non-small cell lung carcinomaand the progression of various metabolic disorders like diabetes. We started this website to share our experiences with owning and looking after hamsters. Have a question? Just like us humans, hamsters do not like to be roused from their sleep. Chinese hamsters are often mistaken as dwarfs because of their small size. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. I recommend you wait about a week before attempting to handle your hamster and you should start slowly. My teddy bear hamster, Mr. Cakes, gives me such a dirty look when I wake him up. Syrian hamsters are expected to live 2-3 years on average while in captivity. Theyre responsible for feeding their hamsters, refilling their water and making sure that they get out of their cages when they want out. Teddy bear hamster is really just another name for the Syrian or Golden hamster. Bigger cages allow you to add more fun things for your hamster to burrow in, climb over, and chew on, keeping your hamster happy. I bought a hamster too her name is bella she is very nice and curious. However, there have been instances where these little furballs make it past the average estimates. When she's not writing she loves traveling, perusing used book stores, and hanging out with her other half. You should also never put your hamster in and exercise balls are not recommended as it is a very stressful experience for the hamster. The hamster in the Guiness World Record book lived to an impressive 4.5 years old! Birmingham. However, there have been instances where these little furballs make it past the average estimates. The teddy bear hamster is a great choice for a first time pet, because their care and maintenance is really simple! It appears that all existing laboratory and pet Syrian hamster are descendantsof a brother-sister pair that were captured in Syria in 1930. I agree with Debi619, each of my kids have their own hamster in their room. Unfortunately, this is not a factor that can be controlled. Know about your hamster and the primary causes of stress. The study found that chronic treatment of Syrian hamsters with low-dose selegiline extends the lives of female hamsters but not males. Hamster cages come in many different colors and sizes. Hamsters should have exercise and a clean cage. Providing you get your hamster used to being handled from a very young age, it will love being held by you. Some of these hamster colors include cinnamon, gray, yellow, black, and chocolate. Exercise, cage cleanliness, and the hamsters stress level are also factors for your pets longevity. Aug 26, 2014 - This Pin was discovered by Erika Billiot. The SWEETEST LITTLE MAN EVER! Little animals should never be left at the mercy of children who have no impulse control orsense of the consequences of their actions. I put clothes over his cage on 3 sides and the top, so he can only see out in front of his cage. Golden hamsters are crepuscular animals, meaning that they are predominantly active during twilight. Make sure to section off an area, so there is no place for your little friend to escape. Females younger than 10 weeks should not be bred. One of the most important things to get when youre buying a hamster, is a safe, spacious home for it. A male hamster has more prominent scent glands which are situated on either side of their flanks or in male dwarf hamsters they are situated near the middle of the belly. They are often used to test treatments for various genetic diseases or cancers. Djungarian/Winter White/Siberian Dwarf; Campbell's Dwarf; Chinese Dwarf We recommend a 10 gallon tank as an absolute minimum. Hamsters actually have a relatively complex system of endocrine signaling that is responsible for displays of social dominance and submission. Its been 3 weeks and my Teddy Bear hamster still wants to bite me. But, it can be a fun way to help young children get excited about their new pet! In addition to a running wheel, you can get your hamster out from the cage during its active time of day. Depending on care and health however, it is possible for teddy bear hamsters to live as long as five years although this is unusual. Cute Guinea Pig Names 200 Unique Names To Choose From, Cow Names Over 400 Amazing Names For Your Cattle. Below is a list of teddy bear hamster equipment to help you budget. How Often Do You Feed A Hamster? He has so much personality already. This size makes golden hamsters the perfect pet, as they are big enough to handle and interact with. Ensure your pet has a comfortable temperature, ideally between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Its hard to know exactly how much, because there is no legal minimum size, and pet store cages can be quite small. If your child wants a pet it can interact with, a Syrian hamster or teddy bear hamster is perfect. All hamsters like to retreat to a safe place and depending on the type of material hamster hideouts are made from they can priced anywhere between $5-$12. If your hamster has spent time with a male hamster in the same cage, then there is a chance that the two will have mated. A puppy is vulnerable and utterly dependent on the mother. You dont ever want to replace all bedding because it will cause unnecessary stress on your hamster. And nothing is cuter than watching them fill up their cheeks with food! Try to avoid giving them too much fresh fruit, as these are often high in natural sugar content. 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. Teddys are great pets but like any pet, they need love,attention and everything else that involves owning a pet. The lifespan of Syrian Hamsters Syrian or Golden hamsters are very active, but also solitary by nature. Syrian Hamsters are small rodents about the size of an adult human hand - The adult size ranges from 5 - 7 inches in length. Choose one with plenty of burrowing space, running space, and lots of room for extra hamster accessories. Wild teddy bear hamster lifespan ranges from 1 - 2 years on average. These hamsters reach adulthood when they are about 4 months old. While tracking these furry friends in the wild is a tough task, some information has been found. Syrian hamsters - the largest hamster, and the most common one found in pet shops. The color of your hamster might not matter to you. For a more detailed look at hamster toys, check out 11 Inexpensive Hamster Toys That Your Hammy Will Love. Social: While Syrian hamsters are sociable with humans, they are solitary animals and should live alone. You have entered an incorrect email address! Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Mine hasnt bitten me yet but he squeaks every time I get close to his cage. They have poor eyesight as they are both nearsighted and colorblind. Individual hamster can live shorter or longer depending on their lifestyle, diet, and care. This is mainly due to their size as they are more robust than dwarf hamsters, especially if you buy your pet very young. Children learn what they are taught. Hamster pups rely on their mums until they are weaned at 3 weeks of age although you can start to introduce softened food that is moistened with water from around 10 days old. Rather than just guessing, here are some key symptoms to tell if your fancy bear hamster is pregnant. Individual hamster can live shorter or longer depending on their lifestyle, diet, and care. The oldest recorded teddy bear hamster livedfor 8 years. These little creatures gained popularity quickly, and were introduced into the British pet market only ten years later, in the 1940s. Hamster fact file. Chinese Dwarf Hamster: Exotic Hamster Breed Guide, Syrian Hamster: The Most Popular Hamster Type, Roborovski Dwarf Hamster: Breed Information and Care Tips, Dog And Hamster: Everything You Need To Know, Hamster Food Bowl: Tips for Selecting the Best One, Do Hamsters Get Lonely? A basic hamster carrier costs around $10-$12 (although you can make your own versions with boxes you already have around the house). As Syrian hamsters are the largest breed, the average lifespan for a teddy bear is two to three years. Syrian hamsters in the wild live much shorter lives than our domesticated pets. 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. Hamsters will not overeat in quantity, so you can spoil their dinners by giving too many treats. There are over 40 color varieties of these hamsters. Teddy bear hamsters are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and are active at night. Holding them for the very first time may feel a little daunting. Accessories will also require extra room within the cage. Heres How To Find Out. It will also persist for longer than normal if a successful pregnancy is underway. Its a good opportunity for the kids to learn responsibility and love for animals. Therefore, you should make sure you have sufficient funds to purchase the essentials. Adults should always be fully involved in the caste of hamsters and other small animals. READY FOR NEW HOMES!! Some people dont care about the history or origins of their pets. Look for any old food and remove it from the cage. Instead scoop them gently into your hands using a cupping motion whilst remembering to support their weight in the process. The female Teddy Bear hamster is on average slightly larger than their male counterparts but both can look larger than the average Syrian type because of their long hair. Teddy bear hamsters have the most wonderful personalities and temperament. When you use a well balanced store-bought food, that should make up 90 percent of your pets diet. A typical teddy bear hamster will need a layer of around 6inches and paper-based bedding is best. Your hamster will need a cage that provides enough room to explore, burrow, exercise, and enjoy. Fortunately, you do have a lot of control over these factors. You want to know how long Teddy Bear hamsters live. This could be so they avoid owls who mostly hunt at night or to avoid extreme temperatures of day and night. I always go around and check on each hamster after my kids have taken care of them to make sure that they have everything they need. To the unknowing eye, this little guy will send someone jumping, How does a hotdog-sized rodent from a Middle Eastern desert make its way into the homes of billions, Rats are becoming increasingly popular as pets, although they are still far outnumbered by cute hamsters. They typically weigh around 120 to 125 grams when fully grown. Syrian hamster mothers are known to sometimes eat their own young if they perceive themselves to be in danger. When he does that I have to comfort him. Dr. Horatiu V. Vinerean at the Florida International University published an article on hamsters which includes some insight on handling hamsters. with a lifespan of 2-3 years. Hamster habitat. He states that male hamsters are friendlier and easier to handle. The bigger one can be almost 12 inches long which is double than dwarf hamsters. The easiest way to meet your hamsters nutritional needs is to buy high-quality food that meets your breed of hamster requirements. These bags cost around $18. They can eat fruit, as well, but only small amounts because of the high sugar content. 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). The taller the cage, the more opportunity of providing your hamster deep bedding to burrow in. A teddy bear hamster is one of several names for a Syrian hamster. Department of Animal Science at Cornell University, Florida International Universitys Director of Laboratory Animal Research. Males seem to outlive females on average, which is unusual in the animal world. They can crawl inside of them and chew on them. Syrian hamsters are the most common pet hamster. Make sure your hamster gets proper nutrition, and they are not fed too many unbalanced snacks. Fancy bear hamsters are curious and adventurous, so they will love wandering around, burrowing, and exploring! With time, they will allow you to pet them and play with them. Underweight or overweight symptoms in hamsters are typical because of a poor diet, being fed too much or too little, or not having access to some form of exercise or exercising too much. Why are you advocating hamsters as ideal pets for children? Maximum they may live upto 7 years. We will also can because more details about the teddy bear hamsters, including whether they like to live together or in solitary. Slightly warmer or cooler than this range is also acceptable. . Theyre also known as fancy bear hamsters! Teddys are smart lovable and just so darn adorable! Costs range from $12-$40. Genetic disorders and predispositions can be inherited in hamsters as they can in humans or dogs. But before you succumb to a moment of weakness, youll want to find out what goes into Teddy Bear hamster care. The longest-living scientifically . This can mean that a bedroom isnt the best place for their cage, though! In fact, black bear hamsters also exist, and are another name for Syrian hamsters with black fur. Syrians are also not childrens pets, they need large cages, they are expensive and are a large commitment. But yeah it seems Syrians live a little longer than Dwarves, I'm guessing because of their . Teddy Bear Hamster Facts 14 Reasons To Buy A Syrian Hamster. Try to be a hamster to pursue nook and corner, In order to snuff out your paucity. Arthu. The lifespan is shorter for wild hamsters. Lifespan: 2 to 4 years Syrian Hamster Behavior and Temperament Syrian hamsters sleep during the day and are active at night. Some of these factors are genetic that cant be controlled or avoided. You can train your teddy bear hamster to be held from a young age, and they do enjoy this kind of social interaction. Whats your favorite thing about this little pet? Is licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0 https: //creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en as Goldens or fancy Bears not writing she loves,. 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