Overview

I've always been passionate about animals. I don't know that I can tell you why except that it feels internal. Not that it can't be acquired, I don't think that, but it's always been natural for me. I can truly say that animals make life better!

Details

WHAT IS A HAMSTER? Warm blooded mammal in the rodent family. Nocturnal, up at night, sleeps during the day. There are many types of hamsters, but only a few types are kept as pets. The hamster is the most popular of the smaller rodents kept as a pet in many countries today. Unlike the mouse, a hamster is virtually tailless. The most popular variety of hamster, kept as pets and used in laboratories, are the golden (Syrian) hamsters. They come in cinnamon, cream and white. Goldens also come in the long haired variety called "teddy bear" hamsters. Hamsters make good beginner pets, as they are fairly easy to care for. They often have docile temperaments and have relatively clean habits. Hamsters are friendly and when handled often, they become quite tame. They are delightful to watch as they go about their daily housekeeping, food storing and exercise on their wheel. Some will show acknowledgement of their owners eagerly looking for treats when approached. A hamster who has not been handled enough while young may not be as friendly and may not wish to be held and may even bite. Where as a Hamster who has been handled frequently from a very young age usually remain docile and rarely bite. Those with docile temperaments and a history of not biting can simply be picked up by using one or both hands, and then held in both hands or in one hand holding it against the body. Be sure to pick a hamster with a good temperament. If you suddenly grab or startle the hamster, it may bite, and the bite may drawl blood. Hamsters should be gently handled, scooping them up and cradling them in the palms of your hands. The more a hamster is gently handled the tamer it will become. Many hamsters develop untrustworthy personalities and begin to bite because they have been handled roughly or suddenly disturbed or awakened. Caution should be used when approaching a hamster who's personality is unknown. You can wear gloves or gently wrap them in a small towel to pick them up. You can also encourage them into a Tupperware container to remove them from their cage. Hamsters who are known to bite and those with unknown personalities can also be picked up by the skin on the back of their neck. Hamsters have very loose skin, so be sure to get a lot of skin using your thumb, middle and index fingers, because a hamster can turn all the way around and bite the persons hand. Black Bear and Golden Hamsters are the easiest to tame. Hamster temperaments vary from breed to breed and depending on where you buy your hamster. In a lot of cases the hamsters in the pet stores are mass produced without any thought to temperament or health. For this reason you may want to consider looking into a hamster breeder or digging deep as to find out the origins of the pet store hamster. The hamster is nocturnal, meaning they are up at night and sleep during the day so keep in mind they may make noise at night with their gnawing and rustling around their cage. Hamsters have large incisor teeth that continually grow. They need to gnaw on things to wear down the teeth to prevent them from overgrowing. They have very poor eyesight but a keen sense of smell and excellent hearing. The Syrian (or Golden) Hamster, cannot be kept with other hamsters after 8–10 weeks of age. They may viciously fight resulting in either serious injury or death. Especially two adult female hamsters. Breeding females are larger than males and tend to be aggressive toward them. However the Russian Dwarf Hamster can sometimes be kept with other hamsters. Hamsters are not as demanding of attention as a rabbit, guinea pig, or rat. If the hamster is a child's pet, the child should be taught how to properly handle and care for the hamster.