Small rodents distinguished by cute cheeks and small sizes—that’s all about hamsters, for which we have allocated a significant share of our site! Hamsters as pets differ from other rodents mainly by their short tails, paws, and small ears. The colors of these furry animals are varied: black, gray, brown, white, yellow, red, or a mixture of several colors. Body length varies from 5 to 34 cm, and tail length varies from 0.7 to 10 cm.
The most common species is the Syrian hamster, also known as the plush or golden hamster (it can reach up to 16 cm long). The first hamsters were discovered in Syria, later in Greece, Romania, Belgium, and Northern China. In the wild, they live in warm, dry areas such as steppes, dunes, and deserts.
Hamsters are nocturnal animals, meaning they usually sleep most of the day, which needs to be considered when buying an animal. The weather also affects activity: when it gets significantly colder, the animal goes into hibernation mode but will wake up periodically to eat.
The character of hamsters is varied: there are social individuals and loners. For example, the Syrian hamster dislikes living next to its brothers. They are very territorial and should never be placed in a cage with other hamsters; otherwise, biting can be fatal. Dwarf hamsters, on the contrary, are social: they love to live in a furry family.
Our website will tell you the intricacies of caring for a pet hamster.
The furry rodents love seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits. In the wild, hamsters do not hesitate to eat insects, frogs, lizards, and other small reptiles. Your pet’s diet should include at least 16 percent protein and 5 percent fat. In articles about hamsters, you can read more about a healthy diet for a rodent.
The word “hamster” comes from the German word “hamster,” which translates as “stock.” This is a self-explanatory name because… The hamster’s cheeks are like pouches where the animal stores food. The quality of nutrition and all necessary elements in the diet significantly prolong the pet’s life.
In captivity, hamsters typically live between one and two years but can live up to three years. Hamsters are considered ideal pets because they are gentle and easy to care for. However, a rodent may bite if frightened, for example, inadvertently awakened.
