Despite their small size, pet hamsters can require a lot of care and time. These little pets have a long history and many unique attributes that make them distinct from other small pets.
- The name “hamster” comes from the German word for hoard, which is what hamsters do with their food. Because they often store treats in various hiding places in their cage, hamsters’ food bowls do not always need to be refilled as soon as they are emptied; despite their active lifestyles, hamsters can become overweight if they have constant access to both a full bowl of food pellets and their personal stash of snacks.
- Syrian hamsters, also called golden or teddy bear hamsters, are the most common type of pet hamster.
- All domesticated Syrian hamsters are believed to have descended from one litter born in 1930.
- Hamsters can remember their relatives.
- The average size for a litter is seven baby hamsters, but some litters can be as large as 24.
- Mother hamsters will occasionally store their young in their cheek pouches if they feel as if they are in danger.
- Even when they live in a cage with plenty of food, mother hamsters will occasionally eat their young to conserve resources if the father is not nearby.
- When it comes to cleanup, an aquarium can be a low-maintenance alternative to a hamster cage because the sides are smooth and easy to clean and bedding and food are less likely to be pushed onto the ground or other surfaces. It’s important to clean any type of hamster cage frequently, but aquariums must be monitored especially carefully because the lack of ventilation in an aquarium can lead to a buildup of ammonia from urine, which can impact the hamster’s health or quality of life.
- Despite their cuddly appearance, Syrian hamsters should never share a cage, as they are very territorial. Two or more Syrian hamsters, however, can live close together, as long as each hamster lives in a separate cage.
- Baby hamsters are blind for the first two weeks of their lives.
- Even when they get older, hamsters have poor eyesight and find their way around by leaving a trail of scent secreted by a scent gland on their backs.
- Most hamsters live for two to three years. One human year is equivalent to about 25 hamster years.
- Hamsters are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during twilight hours. Although they don’t necessarily sleep throughout the entire day, they are most active in the evening, making them a less-than-ideal pet to house in the same room as a light sleeper.
- Although Syrian hamsters are common pets, they are an endangered species in the wild.
- Hamsters may not be ideal pets for everyone, and this is especially true in the state of Hawaii, where it is illegal to own a pet hamster! Experts believe that because the Hawaiian climate is similar to hamsters’ natural habitat in the desert, hamsters that escape from or are released by their owners could flourish and create wild colonies of hamsters that would destroy native plants and crops.
- Hamsters’ front teeth never stop growing. They need lots of toys to chew so their teeth don’t grow too long.
- Hamsters are omnivores. In the wild, they hunt and eat insects.
- Hamsters are colorblind.
- The 25 different species of hamsters range in size from the dwarf hamster, which is usually two to four inches long, to the European hamster, which can grow to be 13.4 inches long.
- In every presidential election since 1996, a hamster has run for president. Another hamster is currently campaigning to be elected the governor of Kentucky.
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