Most hamsters are strictly solitary. If housed together, acute and chronic stress may occur, [8] and they may fight fiercely, sometimes fatally. Dwarf hamster species may tolerate siblings or same-gender unrelated hamsters if introduced at an early enough age, but this cannot be guaranteed. Hamsters communicate through body language to one another and even to their owner. They communicate by sending a specific scent using their scent glands and also show body language to express how they are feeling. [17] Chronobiology The lower classification of the hamsters includes the subphylum which is Vertebrata. Meanwhile, the superfamily is Muroidea. Eumann argues that the actions it is taking are not about pornography itself, but rather protecting children. “We're not going from this perspective that we have something against pornography,” he says. “It's not against net neutrality, it's not against freedom of speech. It's just for protection of the minors.” It's worth remembering that hamsters are short sighted, especially those with pink eyes, so keep a close eye on yours if you let them out of their cage. Remember, because of their poor depth perception, they can easily become injured from falling off tables or ledges. Skin conditions How maize monoculture and increasing winter rainfall have brought the hibernating European hamster to the verge of extinction.” Scientific Reports (2016). https://www.nature.com/articles/srep25531

According to the journal Ecology and Evolution, the European hamster is critically endangered. The main threat to this species are changes to its habitat, due to agricultural activity and urbanization. When land is cleared for agriculture, large dense habitats become divided into small patches, making survival more difficult. The entire population of Syrian hamsters is believed to be descendants of a single brother-sister pair captured from Aleppo, Syria, in 1930. Generally, hamsters are ideal house pets because they are gentle and are easy to take care of. They will bite when startled or scared, though. They will also bite if they are awakened during their sleeping time, according to Pets Radar. Since they sleep during the day and humans are awake during the day, this means that biting is more likely. Some hamsters are very social, while others are loners. For example, the Syrian hamster doesn't like living near other hamsters, according to the Hamster Society Singapore. They are very territorial and should never be put in a cage with other hamsters. It will bite the other hamster, and may even kill it. Dwarf hamsters, on the other hand, are social and like to have a friend nearby. We do not advise reintroducing hamsters if they have had a fight, so prevention is better. You can help prevent them fighting by providing the right size space and good enrichment. Do hamsters bite?

What do I need to buy for my hamster?

Hamsters are naturally nocturnal so if they are disturbed during the day and become alarmed, they may bite. This is why it's always best to make sure your hamster has properly woken up before trying to handle them. Do hamsters hibernate? Start by placing your hand in their cage so they can sniff and get used to you, then gently stroke them These rodents have a scent gland that is located in the middle of their bodies. In the case of a dwarf hamster, the scent gland is located in the hamster’s stomach, allowing them to mark their territory. However, the Syrian hamster (aka the teddy bear hamster) has scent glands on their hips instead. A loner hamster, it is said, should never be put in a cage with other hamsters as it can bite and harm it and, in some cases, even kill it. The only time that these animals are especially friendly towards other hamsters is when they are young (i.e., under three months old). They will even eat their young if they so desire.

Soft hay – hay is a great addition to any of the beddings above, and will help add extra structure and stability to your hamster’s burrows. Aspen, spruce or hemp bedding – similar to sawdust/wood shavings but made from hardwood and dust free. However, they aren’t great at supporting burrows, so you’ll need to add a paper-based bedding for extra stability. Don't forget, there are lots of unwanted hamsters looking for homes in animal charities like ours. How to handle your hamsters Hamsters enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables but like to bury their food. Give them tiny portions to minimise the amount left to decompose and remove uneaten food daily. Lebedev, V. S., N. V. Ivanova, N. K. Pavlova, and A. B. Poltoraus. 2003. Molecular phylogeny of the Palearctic hamsters. In Proceedings of the International Conference Devoted to the 90th Anniversary of Prof. I. M. Gromov on Systematics, Phylogeny and Paleontology of Small Mammals (A. Averianov and N. Abramson eds.). St. Petersburg.

Testimony from Grant C Riddle (born 1929, living in Lake Wildwood, CA) who had a pet hamster in 1942. Female hamsters are also particularly sensitive to disturbances while giving birth, and may even eat their own young if they think they are in danger, although sometimes they are just carrying the pups in their cheek pouches. [7] If captive female hamsters are left for extended periods (three weeks or more) with their litter, they may cannibalize the litter, so the litter must be removed by the time the young can feed and drink independently.

Hamsters can be supplemented with additional fruits and vegetables, but these foods should not be the mainstay of their diet. Hamsters enjoy: Grey Dwarf Hamster– The Grey Dwarf hamster is a common hamster species found in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Russia, Central Asia, Mongolia, and western China. These hamsters have an average body length of 4 inches, with a furry tail about 1/3 of that length. Their fur is brownish-grey with white underparts, and they have large ears and a flattened skull. Grey Dwarf hamsters are known for their burrows, which can be as deep as 5 feet beneath the ground. These hamsters do not hibernate, so they are active year-round as they forage for roots, plants, seeds, and insects. The dwarf hamster is an exception. They are surprisingly social, and they enjoy having multiple friends around in their family. Kam Dwarf Hamster– The Kam Dwarf hamster is a hamster species found only in the mountains of western China. These hamsters have an average body length of 4 inches and a tail length of 2 inches. Their fur is greyish-brown in color, and their underside is greyish-white. These hamsters are active day and night and dig burrows to an average depth. They forage for grain and seeds, and they also hunt insects.

Hamster FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

As well as the above, your hamster will need a constant supply of water. You may also want to consider getting pet insurance. Hamster cages The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. Syrian hamsters can have short or long hair (known as the teddy bear variety). The Dwarf hamster is also a common pet variety. Hamster Housing Size

Scoop out their bedding and any other material using a dustpan and brush, saving a few handfuls of their unsoiled bedding for later It is important to ensure that your hamster’s home is indoors away from draughts, as well as sunlight and direct heat. How often do I need to clean my hamster's cage? Although the Syrian hamster or golden hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus) was first described scientifically by George Robert Waterhouse in 1839, researchers were not able to successfully breed and domesticate hamsters until 1939. [3] The entire laboratory and pet populations of Syrian hamsters appear to be descendants of a single brother–sister pairing. These littermates were captured and imported in 1930 from Aleppo in Syria by Israel Aharoni, a zoologist of the University of Jerusalem. [7] In Jerusalem, the hamsters bred very successfully. Years later, animals of this original breeding colony were exported to the United States, where Syrian hamsters became a common pet and laboratory animal. Comparative studies of domestic and wild Syrian hamsters have shown reduced genetic variability in the domestic strain. However, the differences in behavioral, chronobiological, morphometrical, hematological, and biochemical parameters are relatively small and fall into the expected range of interstrain variations in other laboratory animals. [8] EtymologyIt’s really important to give your hamster a deep (approx. 25cm/10 inches) layer of bedding so they can burrow like they would in the wild. They use the burrow for sleeping, hiding and storing food so it’s important to use a bedding that will hold its structure when tunnelled into. Examples of safe bedding include: No, it's too cold for hamsters to live outside in the UK. Hamsters will enter torpor if they get too cold, which can be very dangerous as they will not have enough fat reserves to survive without food for an extended period. If you are worried that your hamster may have gone into torpor, seek advice from your vet.