Homiak Roborovsky: description, characteristics of the content and breeding

Not so often among pets you can meet the Roborovsky hamster. This animal is considered to be a rather rare specimen. Representatives of this breed of hamsters are incredibly friendly and love to live in large families. They differ from their relatives in small size, and therefore require special care.

In the family of hamsters you can meet such a tiny, foot-legged representative, like the Roborovsky hamster. The size of the animal is equal to the size of the chicken egg.

The natural habitat of a hamster is considered to be China and Mongolia. It was first found in China (in the Tien Shan mountains). He received his name in honor of the discoverer - zoologist V. I. Roborovsky. In the 70s of the last century, he was brought to our region. In the stars of Europe and America, the animal did not catch on. But at the same time the Dutch diligently engaged in his breeding.

Characteristic of the hamster Roborovskogo:

1. maximum body length is not more than 5 centimeters;
2. on average, such hamsters weigh about 24 g;
3. the dwarf hamster has a very short tail, which is not always visible with the naked eye because of its long and fluffy coat;
4. in spite of its size, the hamster's head is rather large, its ears are vertical and have a gray color;
5. the muzzle of the animal has a flat shape;
6. Another characteristic feature of this type of hamster are large eyes that are black in color;
7. Interestingly, there are four fingers on the front legs, and five fingers on the back ones;
8. small legs are completely covered with wool;
9. Roborovsky hamsters have very good eyesight;
10. like many members of their family, these hamsters make stocks for the winter, but do not fall into hibernation;
11. hamsters get along well with their relatives, regardless of gender;
12. the animal barely bites, and if it happens, its bites are painless;
13. the individual reaches sexual maturity on the third week after birth;
14. they have complex reproduction in captivity, so they are not used in various laboratory tests;
15. Roborovsky hamsters are very active animals and practically can not sit still;
16. a huge contribution to the breeding of such hamsters was made precisely by our compatriots, so it is often possible to find another name for dwarf animals - “Russians”.

Hamsters are relatively short lived. Life expectancy in captivity depends on many factors:

1. diet;
2. stress;
3. genetics;
4. diseases;
5. conditions of detention.

Every person would like his pet to live a longer life, but unlike the cats or dogs we are used to, Roborovsky hamster can live from 3 to 3.5 years. Of course, you can affect the duration of his life, observing the basic rules of maintenance, including the nuances of care, but significantly increase the life expectancy of the animal of this breed will not work.

In this case, many owners of dwarf hamsters are trying to avoid emotional attachment to the animal, which can adversely affect the pet. They love to live in large families. In case the hamster does not get enough attention, it becomes more susceptible to stress. Also, some dwarf pet owners do not provide proper care and never show them to a veterinarian.

However, a short lifespan can be considered a huge plus. For example, in America, such an animal is quite popular as a pet. Many parents start them for their children. They teach them responsibility, as well as an understanding that life is not eternal. It is not very pleasant to raise such topics, but children in this case learn to let go of the situation.

Many pets live a long life and require huge expenditures on their maintenance both in material and moral terms. In the case of the purchase of a dwarf pet, the obligation to him will be in a more short-term form. But at the same time, we are starting to value our pet more, since we have a limited amount of time that we can spend with him.

Before purchasing a dwarf hamster, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the basic rules for the care and maintenance of the animal. It is interesting to know that Roborovsky hamsters are used to living in small colonies. For this reason, it is best to get not one, but two hamsters. In this case, they will be more active and energetic. It is desirable that the animals were of the same sex. In no case can not settle two males and a female in one place. In this case, the spirit of rivalry appears between the males, which will lead to unpleasant consequences.

Usually rodents are placed in a cage, the bottom of which is filled with a small layer of sand. Quartz-based sand is best suited for this purpose. In some cases, resorted to the use of sawdust. On top you can arrange small branches of fruit plants. Also use moss or hay.

Hamster Home Accessories:

1. feeding trough;
2. drinking bowl;
3. wheel;
4. mineral stone;
5. tray.

If there are two hamsters, it is best to make them separate houses in a cage and place two wheels. The cage area for 2 pets should have the parameters 50 * 70 centimeters.

Also, many owners of dwarf pets place them in various containers (dunes). It is strictly not recommended to keep a hamster in an aquarium, as a large number of bacteria can form in it due to the fogging of glasses.

As the cell becomes contaminated, it must be cleaned. Usually this process is carried out 2 times a week. Water should be changed daily in the water trough, as it may become contaminated during the day. The feeder is cleaned regularly.

To get rid of the unpleasant smell and facilitate the cleaning process, the owners of such pets place a tray in the cage and buy a special filler for it. It is advisable to teach hamster toilet immediately. In more mature age it is quite difficult to do.

The daily diet of the dwarf hamster should be rich and varied. In a specialty store you can buy feed intended specifically for rodents. Pets are also happy to eat vegetables, fruits, herbs and various cereals.

Mandatory products that must be present in the Roborovsky hamster diet:

1. a fish;
2. hen;
3. wheat;
4. sour cream and low-fat cottage cheese;
5. chicken eggs;
6. greenery;
7. porridges;
8. millet;
9. vegetables;
10. fruits.

It is worth considering that the food from the human table is not suitable for a hamster, so we will pay special attention to undesirable products in the pet's diet:

1. spice;
2. canned foods;
3. citrus;
4. semi-finished products;
5. salty and sweet foods;
6. cabbage and tomatoes;
7. stale food or food residue.

Unlike other breeds, the Roborovsky hamster does not have a high degree of fecundity. The litter contains no more than 5 babies. For this reason, this type of pet is rarely found on the market.

If you want to breed hamsters, it is best to prepare them for this from childhood by forming a pair. So hamsters can get used to each other. In the absence of such an opportunity, rodents need time for rubbing. In the capacity for the maintenance of pets is installed a special partition. Hamsters are better kept on opposite sides of the septum. It is necessary in order not to provoke a fight between individuals of different sexes. During this period they will be sniffed. After they get used to each other, the partition is removed.

The optimal age for reproduction is 4 months - 1 year. The female needs time to recover, so that after birth, at least 2.5 months must elapse before the next fertilization. The gestation period can last a little more than three weeks.

Roborovsky hamsters love secluded places and often hide in them from everyone. During the period of pregnancy and after childbirth in females, this is manifested in a rather acute form. For this reason, it is desirable to make a hidden place in the cage where the female can give birth. It is recommended to buy two houses, since after giving birth the female becomes less stress-resistant and can begin to show aggression. At this time, it is better not to disturb her and to wait with the cleaning in the cage. At first, you should not touch the offspring.

Newborn hamsters of this breed do not have wool, they lack vision and hearing. Their weight does not exceed one gram, and the length of the body is equal to one centimeter. The females of this breed have a well-defined maternal instinct, and she carefully takes care of the offspring. But nevertheless it is necessary to glance from time to time for them.

Newborn hamsters eat white bread soaked in milk. You can also feed them with millet or buckwheat, previously soaked in hot water. From the green they eat clover leaves or lettuce. The food is left in the feeder, after which the female carries out feeding. In some cases, the food is better to leave close to the home of rodents. After three weeks, the diet of babies can be enriched with such products:

1. wheat;
2. a fish;
3. chicken and eggs;
4. small-fat cottage cheese;
5. zucchini.

Upon reaching the age of 23 days, the offspring is removed from the mother. It is important to know that rodents of close kinship are categorically not recommended to cross. In this case, the offspring will be very weak and unhealthy.

See how the Roborovsky hamster looks in the next video.