Data sheet dwarf hamster
German name:
dwarf hamster
Scientific name:
cricetinae
Origin:
Syria
Size:
between 13 – 18 cm
age expectation:
2-3 years
attitude and behavior
Behavior / stocking:
Nocturnal
Group vs. individual housing:
single keeping
Lining:
grains, grasses
Difficulty level:
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Key data / basic information
The Syrian hamstersalso golden hamster called, is one of the most popular small pets. They are generally easy to tame, fun to watch, and relatively easy to care for, making them a good pet for beginners.
These hamsters come from the arid regions of northern Syria and the southern Türkiye. Most are golden brown with a lighter belly. However, targeted breeding has resulted in different variations in color, markings and hair length. Their accommodation does not take up much space and is quite easy to set up.
acquisition and maintenance
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purchase
Most pets need time to adjust to a new home. However, the adaptation process in hamsters is quick and easy. In addition, they usually have no problems when a new person, e.g. B. a visitor wants to interact with them. If you have transported it in a box, it is advisable to place the animal in the cage and let your hamster come out on its own.
Allow him to get used to his new home in peace and quiet. If you stay in the room and want to observe the animal, you should not make any noise or sudden movements so that it is not startled. For the first week, it is best not to take him out of his cage or touch him. Little by little he will explore his space, so it’s best not to pressure him.
requirement for posture
night activity
golden hamster sleep during the day and are active at night.This is due to the fact that they would be easier prey in the wild during the day, whereas they can hardly be seen feeding at night. While they are generally quiet pets, if you have their cage in your bedroom, their nocturnal activity can keep you awake. Some hamsters can adapt to their human’s schedule.
However, you should give your pet plenty of time before touching it. Never touch your hamster when he is sleeping as he may bite you if he is startled. Because of this, the early morning or evening hours are a good time to handle your hamster. The best way to tame him is to place a treat on your flat hand and let him climb onto your hand.
loner
The golden hamster is one of them most solitary Animals in nature and are therefore also very territorial. This means that as pets, they should always be kept alone.
Sometimes young hamsters tolerate cagemates for a while. But when they grow up, there is a risk that they will become aggressive and even fight to the death. It is also best to keep other pets away from your hamster as they may injure one another.
Cage
There are many hamster cages available at pet stores. While some cages look stylish, they are not suitable for keeping animals and are also very difficult to clean. Therefore, avoid e.g. B. on cages with colorful tubes. Also, glass containers such as aquariums or terrariums are not good choices for hamsters as they are not properly ventilated (unless they have a ventilation grille).
When choosing the optimal cage, you should make sure that this well ventilated and easy to clean is.
In addition, your golden hamster should have enough space to run and climb. In order to enable your hamster to be kept in a species-appropriate manner, you should provide sufficient nesting material and a house.
Hamsters like to drink from a water bottle and eat best from clay pots. Also remember that hamsters are rodents and behave like one: they love to gnaw on wood, cardboard, plastic and other objects they can chew on. You should therefore make sure that the materials in the cage are as natural as possible.
maintenance effort
As pets, golden hamsters don’t necessarily bond with their owners. But they’ll often come to the edge of their enclosure when you’re around, and many will nestle comfortably in your hands or on your shoulder.
Expect to spend a few hours a week feeding and caring for your hamster’s habitat. You should also set aside some time each day to keep your hamster tame and used to your hand.
gender differences
Whether a golden hamster is male or female can be most reliably determined using the so-called “anogenital distance” notice.
This is the distance between the genital openings (penile opening in male hamsters; vaginal and urinary openings in females) and the anus. This distance is much shorter in females than in males.
feed and nutrition
Thanks to their popularity as pets, most pet stores have foods specifically formulated for golden hamsters.
A hamster’s diet should consist primarily of grains and seeds exist, although he more fresh vegetables likes and needs than most other rodents. His diet is rounded off with the occasional administration of one mealworm.
acclimatization and handling
When moving in, let your hamster first explore the cage in peace. If he bites you, you can break the habit of biting your hamster just by letting him don’t startle. Try not to wake him up and instead use a treat to lure him into climbing onto your hand on his own.
This way, over time, you will gain your hamster’s trust and you will be able to pet and hold him without him biting you. Hamsters are not aggressive pets, but if frightened or startled, they may bite.
Other questions
Where do golden hamsters live?
The first hamsters were discovered in Syria, but they also live in Greece, Romania, Belgium and northern China. In the wild, they prefer to live in warm, dry areas such as steppes, sand dunes and desert edges. But the European hamster also exists in Germany, although it is threatened with extinction.
How big does a golden hamster’s cage need to be?
Syrian hamsters like to run and need exercise. Most commercially available cages are way too small. As a rule of thumb, at least one square meter per hamster can be estimated. The movement should be supplemented by running outside the cage.
Are hamsters suitable for children?
Hamsters are often thought of as “starter pets” for young children. Hamsters don’t need as much attention as dogs and other pets, so even small children can take care of them if the parents are sure the children are mature enough and will supervise them in caring for and interacting with the animals. Golden hamsters are the best choice for a child’s first hamster as they are larger than other breeds of hamster.