Data sheet Djungarian hamster
German name:
Djungarian hamster
Scientific name:
Phodopus sungorus
Origin:
Northeast Kazakhstan, southern and southwestern Siberia, northern China
Size:
between 7 and 9 cm
attitude and behavior
Behavior / stocking:
crepuscular
Group vs. individual housing:
single keeping
Lining:
omnivoredandelion, plantain (leaves and seeds), grains (millet, oat flakes, alfalfa, corn flakes, pea flakes, crispbread, cereals, sunflower seeds), vegetables (carrots, zucchini, cucumber, beetroot, celery, parsnips), quark, natural yoghurt, mealworms, Ground beef, dwarf hamster food, budgie food
Difficulty level:
Beginner / easy Klaus Eppele_27682031_stock.adobe.com
key data
The Djungarian hamster inhabit steppes and semi-deserts.
Mostly they live in abandoned burrows of other small mammals, sometimes in self-dug dwellings.
The animals owe their name to an area in north-west China, Djungaria.
Djungarian hamster – appearance
The fur on top is grey-brown to dark brown. A black-brown eel line runs from head to tail. The belly is whitish in color. A black-brown band reinforces the color contrast between the belly and back fur. It runs in 3 arcs down the sides of the hamster, that’s why it’s called the 3-arc line.
In nature, the fur turns white in winter. The dark eel line remains. The white fur makes the little fellows almost invisible to their predators in the snow.
The trigger for the change of coat is the length of daylight. If it falls below 14 hours a day, the hamsters put on their winter fur.
The fur is about 10 mm long, dense and fine, even on the feet there is hair.
The Djungarians are plump in build, with a round face, round, protruding ears, and round, dark eyes.
The back of the ears and the rims of the eyes are black.
Meanwhile there is Cultivated forms in other colors. Various shades of gray (blue, blue, sapphire), white (pearl) or multicolored are possible.
HASPhotos_448411631_stock.adobe.com
Way of life Djungarian hamster
They live as loners in underground burrows. They don’t hibernate.
The dwarves are Active at night and at dusk. With your They have an excellent sense of smell and touch, and thanks to their sensitive hearing, they can find their way around in the dark. Your eyes don’t work that well. They are short-sighted and mainly perceive movement.
Their sense of smell is the most important for the little animals. They pick up markings and sex attractants with it. If there is a female ready to mate nearby, a male will smell it from a great distance.
acquisition and maintenance
hamster cage
The home for a Djungarian hamster should at least 100 cm long, 60 cm wide and 50 cm high be. A well-fitting lid is important. Some hamsters are true escape kings.
One covers the floor 15 cm thick layer of straw or other small animal bedding. Here the guys can dig and dig.
Hamsters like to divide their territory into Sleeping area, pantry and droppings corner a. To sleep should several accommodations ready. The hamsters like to change their quarters from time to time. Are suitable Wooden cottages, coconut shells or ceramic huts. The trade offers especially for small mammals residential rock at.
Inside are passages and caves, which is close to the natural way of life. The outer walls are rough and good for climbing. The animals like to pad their sleeping places themselves. Even if the keeper means well and builds a super chic nest. The hamster will redecorate it. Dry moss, hay or straw is suitable for padding. Paper handkerchiefs or kitchen paper are very welcome. The animals eagerly “shred” the material and bring it into the house with cheek pouches. Here they arrange the snippets into a cozy nest.
The dwarf hamster decides for itself where the supplies are stored, as well as where it sets up its toilet. In some cases, several warehouses are set up.
Heard of course a food bowl and a water bowl in.
For digging and nibbling
In a corner should be a jar with sand standing, ground pumice stone is best. The animals like to roll in the sand or dig around in it to groom their fur.
At Branches of fruit trees, beeches, poplars or hazelnut bushes the Djungarians rasp off their incisors.
toys
The agile little fellows are constantly on the move when they are awake. In order to be able to live out their urge to move, they need Climbing possibilities, rollers, tubes or bridges. With a little skill, branches or roots can be used to build exciting climbing equipment. Cardboard rolls or tubes become varied ones labyrinths. Air holes must be drilled for longer tube systems.
A Wheel must not be missing in the hamster home. The running surface should be completely closed, as should the back. Normal wheels for golden hamsters with sprouts do not fit the dwarfs. The rung spacing is too big for her little legs. The front of the wheel must be fully open to allow the Djungarian to exit the wheel at any time.
All furnishings and the cage itself must not be made of plastic. The animals nibble on it and swallowed plastic shavings can be life-threatening. Wood or ceramics are more suitable.
Location
The hamster home should not on the floor stand. From an elevated position, the dwarves have a better overview and feel safer.
It should be on stay in the same place. Dwarf hamsters are sensitive to changes in their environment.
A place in the sun or next to the heater is too warm for the animals.
requirement for posture
Especially when feeding fresh vegetables or fruit, the Inventory checked daily become. Corruption is removed. Grains or dried fruit should be left to the Djungarian. Bunkering fodder is in its nature.
The droppings corner should also be cleaned daily. In the rest of the cage, soiled bedding is changed once a week.
grooming
The Djungarians take care of their fur themselves.
offspring and rearing
dwarf hamsters are prolific.
If a female willing to mate is near him, the male falls into a hectic rush. Even if the female is in another cage.
The young are born after 18 days, usually 4 to 6.
The male may be present at birth. Then he should be put in another cage. He would immediately cover the female again.
The boys are nest stool. At birth they are hairless and have their eyes closed.
They are suckled by their mother. From the 5th day they start eating solid food (small grains).
On the 14th day their eyes open and they can fill and empty their cheek pouches.
From the 17th day they play with their siblings and go on their first outings.
At the age of 21 days, the little ones are independent.
socialize hamsters
Djungarians are loner, everyone needs a cage of their own. Even couples only get along during the mating season.
Trying to keep several animals in one cage, no matter how big, sooner or later ends in aggression. It doesn’t matter whether males, females or mixed groups are kept together. Sometimes things go well for a few weeks or months, but never permanently.
gender differences
In adult Djungarian males, the genital opening and anus are further apart. A The base of the testicle is clearly visible.
feed and nutrition
In addition to their plant food, they need animal food once a week. Something ground beef or as a very special treat, a little spoon Quarktake them gladly.
acclimatization and handling
Djungarians become tame easily. You need a lot of attention. They are not stuffed animals and do not want to be petted. On the other hand, they love it when you talk to them calmly and quietly.
The first day
Once the hamster has moved from its carrier to its new home, he needs rest first. He has to get used to the new environment. It is good if it is bought in the evening. During the day he doesn’t want to be disturbed.
It gives the little rascal security when he has something of his take old litter with you to the new home may. Then he has a familiar smell around him.
Soon he will start exploring his surroundings and designing them according to his ideas. He has a lot to do: the sleeping place has to be prepared, the food that is ready has to be taken out of the bowl to safety and he has to look around. Meanwhile, you can talk to him and watch him go about his business.
After a few days, you can start offering treats to your Djungarian outstretched hand. Once your furry friend has gained confidence, he will sit on your hand to eat.
If he feels safe there, you can gently touch him with your other hand.
In the next step, carefully lift the hand with the dwarf hamster. If the little guy gets restless, his hand goes down again immediately and he can get off.
The dwarf soon sits on the open hand and can be lifted out.
Little trips
He finds excursions in the apartment exciting. Especially if he occasionally finds food or a challenge along the way. These expeditions should initially take place in a closed room or restricted area. Since he has learned to climb onto the outstretched hand, reversing is not a problem. Lay your hand open on the floor, possibly with a treat on it. Your hamster will come and let himself be picked up.
Of course, you can’t let him out of your sight for a moment. The nimble dwarf quickly disappeared. It may be days before he reappears.
Help, my dwarf hamster is gone!
Under no circumstances should you chase after him and try to catch him. He would panic and become shy.
If you know which room he is in, carefully shoot the door. Please do not pinch the hamster.
Place a vessel (plastic tub 30 to 40 cm high) on the floor. Put in some bedding to cushion the floor and some treats.
From the outside you can lean a step up, a non-slip board, against the tub. Overnight your little runaway will get the food. He climbs up, jumps in (hence the litter) and is trapped. He can’t get out because the walls are smooth and high.
If you don’t know which room he is in, put a full bowl of food in every room and close all the doors. Where the bowl is empty in the morning is your runaway.