All about Syrian hamster

Among the large number of small animals that can be bred at home as pets, it is necessary to separately distinguish hamsters. Today in pet stores you can find a large number of different breeds of this rodent. Especially popular as a decorative pet is the Syrian hamster, which stands out for good immunity and unpretentiousness in the care.

Mesocricetus auratus or Asia Minor hamster is a furry rodent, better known to all under the name Syrian hamster. The individual belongs to the family of hamsters, stands out for its visual appeal and intelligence, therefore, very often acts as a pet. This breed was bred by crossing two species of wild rodents that live in the East.

Animals were domesticated only at the end of the XIX century. Syrian hamsters stand out for their size, which significantly exceeds the similar parameters of decorative dwarf individuals. The body of an adult animal in length can reach 14-15 centimeters in the presence of a 1.5-inch tail. Its weight varies between 200-250 grams. It is noteworthy that in this breed the females are larger than the males, with the male inherently stocky in the body.

The animals are quite fluffy, their color can vary depending on the species, most often there are rodents with golden fur, but in pet stores you can see hamsters of white, black and even gray colors. It is worth noting the features of the structure of the front extremities of the East Asian rodent - the animal has four full fingers on its paws. As for the hind legs, five small toes with claws can be observed on them.

The hamster looks quite funny due to the rounded muzzle and small ears. The peculiarities of the breed also include the fact that rodents can be not only long-haired, but also short-haired with a thick coat of hair on the body. In animals, large pupils, in addition, rodents have symmetrical cheek pouches, in which the animal prefers to store food stocks.

In their natural environment and in captivity, animals live about the same. As a rule, the life span of a golden hamster is 2-3 years. However, in domestic breeding, the life cycle of an individual will directly depend on the breeders and the living conditions of the pet. This breed is considered one of the best for breeding at home.

Difference from other breeds of decorative rodents is the need for settling animals in captivity one by one. If you keep even two individuals together, there is a possibility that they will cause each other serious injuries. Even if this does not happen, rodents in one cage may experience serious psychological discomfort from the constant presence of another animal nearby.

Without risk to the health and psyche of the animals can be kept in the same cage until they reach the age of one and a half months. Like most rodents, Asia Minor hamsters are animals that lead an active lifestyle only at night. During the day, rodents usually sleep in their house.

The division into species of Syrian hamsters occurs on the basis of the length of their fur. Today there are individuals with the following characteristic external signs:

• long haired;
• short-haired rodents.

The first species is often called the Angora, because animals have a similarity with cats of the same breed. It is believed that this type was obtained by artificial means, therefore, has a low immunity.

The fur coat of these animals can be up to two centimeters in length, which requires special care from the breeder. The second type will be less demanding in terms of care, but even the fact that such animals are classified as short-haired does not reduce their decorative appeal. There are also hairless Syrian rodents, which are the result of artificial breeding. No fur animals were bred for those breeders who are allergic to animal fur.

In addition, the classification of Asia Minor rodents is based on the color of their wool.

• Golden hamster. These are individuals with a reddish or even rusty coat color, in which only blotches of a different color may be present on the stomach. The ears of these animals are gray.

• Cream rodents. Unlike red, it is this color is the most popular. The fur coat of the animal is monotonous, only some shade is allowed on the belly and ears.

• White hamsters. In addition to the color of their coat, Syrian hamsters are distinguished by the red color of the pupils, as well as pink or gray ears. Such rodents are often called albinos.

• Gray rodents. The coat has a light smoky color, there may be spots on the stomach. This animal sometimes has reddish spots around the eyes, which is considered normal.

• Yellow hamsters. This category includes animals whose coat will have a color ranging from bright orange to yellow. This species of rodents was bred for decorative purposes with the help of humans.

• Hamsters with honey coat color. These are yellow-brown individuals that are capable of transmitting similar features of the breed to not every young. If a boy has such a color, then male individuals born from him will not receive such a coat color. As for the females of the honey-colored female, they will give their qualities to the whole brood of hamsters.

• Tortie animals. To this type can be attributed to individuals of different color, the only condition is the presence of a pattern, stripes or spots on the coat. Sometimes it is possible to find animals that have three primary coat colors.

• Hamsters agouti. Such animals are distinguished by the unevenness of their coat color. Color may vary from tip to root.

There is a huge number for hamsters, both for girls and boys. Among them, you can pick up something creative and interesting. To solve this problem, it is necessary to follow the following tips:

• pet nickname should be selected, coordinating options with all family members to avoid disagreements;
• It is best to name a rodent so that its name can be easily pronounced and remembered even by the smallest members of the family;
• if there are several animals, it will be more correct to pick up their nicknames if they are radically different in sound from each other.

It is possible to reliably find out the gender of the Asiatic rodents no earlier than a month after their birth. The definition of gender will be based on the placement of the genital and excretory organs on the body. As for males, they will have visible signs of visible testicles in the area of ​​the tail. In addition, the male genital organ will be removed from the holes, displaying waste products, 1.5 cm.

As for the females, they have a cloaca and genitals will be located almost close to each other. At the time of estrus in females, all organs will be moistened with mucus, and also noticeably increased in size, which will help determine their sex.

You can try to find out the sex of the animal by the presence of mammary glands, which is sometimes somewhat difficult in the light of the presence of a large amount of hair on the abdomen. For males, two pronounced nipples are the norm when the female has twice as many. On the basis of the above characteristics, it is easy to distinguish the male hamster from the female.

Age determination is an important point, especially when you buy a pet. Experts conditionally divide rodents into three age groups:

• young - age less than one month;
• mature - from one to three months;
• old individuals.

Young animals are distinguished by their modest size, such animals are not recommended for breeders without experience, since the animals will need specific care. And you should also abandon the purchase of old hamsters, they can be identified by faded fur, phlegmatic behavior. Optimal for the purchase of animals will be related to mature individuals.

The mass of the animal will help determine the age of the individual. So, animals aged one to three months will weigh in the region of 50-80 grams, old rodents gain weight up to 100-150 grams. However, this figure can be quite conditional, since the weight of the animal is directly dependent on the care, nutrition and activity.

Hamsters can be kept in aquariums or cages. The second option is more convenient and popular. It is important for the rodent to provide room and good bedding, since the natural need for the beast is to dig holes. Paper, special filler, wood chips can act as a substrate in an animal's house. The main thing is that the raw material was light and perfectly absorbed the liquid.

For the animals also need material to build a nest. Paper cuts will do the job well.

Inside the house for a rodent will need to install a wheel. Unlike toys for dwarf hamsters, the Syrian will need a wheel with a diameter of at least 20 centimeters. As a rule, cages designed specifically for such pets already contain running wheels. In addition, the animals will be happy to spend time in the ball.

Water for an animal can be in a drinking bowl or in a bowl, containers with liquid should be regularly washed. If the water will be in the bowl, then the container should be heavy so that the hamster does not turn it over. This nuance also applies to containers for animal feed.

Another important point concerning the maintenance of the pet is the presence in the cage of wood objects, about which hamsters will be able to grind their teeth growing throughout their lives.

In order for the Syrian hamster to live in captivity as long as possible, it needs to provide high-quality and balanced nutrition. So, for feeding, you can use specialized feed mixtures consisting of grains, seeds and nuts.For pregnant females you need to take care of proper protein content in the daily diet.

Rodents can be given root vegetables, vegetables and fruits, but citrus fruits, exotic fruits and too acidic treats should be avoided. All food should be fresh because hamsters like to keep their food in nests as stocks. All additional products must be washed without fail; those pieces that have lain in a cage for more than a day should be thrown away in order to prevent rodent poisoning. Syrian hamsters can be given once a week a boiled egg, cottage cheese, peanuts.

Since the animals are nocturnal and naturally fearful, after acquiring a new place they should be taught gradually, not to make noise near the cage, and also not to expose the animal. From stress, rodents bite and even faint.

With a hamster you need to spend some time every day so that the shy pet gets used to its owner. If the animal is sleeping, then it is not recommended to wake him up, and you should not force the hamster out of the nest either.

Hamster houses do not smell if they are regularly cleaned. As a rule, hygiene measures are recommended at least once every 2-3 days. It is forbidden to bathe Syrian hamsters in the water, as well as to avoid height differences on the surface where the rodent is walking. Falling from a height, he can inflict serious injuries.

The male Asian hamster reaches sexual maturity by three months, while the female must be at least four months old. In order for fertilization to take place, she must have a chute that occurs at intervals of 5-7 days. For mating, selected rodents are deposited in a separate cage. After that, the carrying of offspring occurs. Pregnancy lasts 18 days.

One individual gives birth to 4 to 15 hamsters. For a child to be successful, it is necessary for the female to provide a clean litter, as well as food in abundance. In the first few days after the birth of animals, mother with offspring is recommended not to disturb. For newborns, the main food in the first month will be breast milk. Touch the hamsters can not, because in the presence of odors on the cubs, the female will eat them. Once the babies have reached one month and seven days, they can be transplanted into a separate cage.

In order for the animal not to fear its owner and calmly walk in his arms, it will be necessary to gradually tame the animal. To do this, follow these guidelines:

• contact with the person should occur several times a day, but for a short time (a quarter of an hour will suffice);
• a newly acquired rodent should not be immediately picked up, as the animal will be under stress; it will take him several days to get used to the new environment;
• familiarity with the hands is better to transfer to the evening, when the animal will be full of strength, which will help eliminate bites.

Schooling to contact with a person should be regular. It is important to study the way of life of the animal, be sure to talk to him in a low voice, uttering his nickname. After that, you need to lower the palm in a cage, placing on it a treat for the hamster.

It is impossible to catch an animal, it is necessary to wait until the rodent shows interest on its own.. This may require several attempts, in the intervals between them it is possible to treat the rodent with a treat through the rods.When the hamster makes contact and sits on the palm without fear, you can lift him out of the cage, perhaps he will jump from the palm for the first time. Therefore, attempts at taming should continue a little later.

Unfortunately, Syrian hamsters in captivity may suffer from some ailments. Among them are the following most common:

• obesity associated with improper diet and lack of cage toys for physical activity;
• dental problems arising from the fact that the animal has nowhere to grind growing teeth;
• E. coli, which was infected with the animal through poor food or unwashed food.

Signs of Syrian hamster ill health will be changes in its behavior. He may become aggressive and restless, or, conversely, too passive. The animal may appear baldness on the coat, sores, tremor, itching. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.

Syrian hamsters, unlike their relatives, with proper training and taming can establish fairly close contact with the owner and even fall asleep with him. And also it is worth noting the well-developed intellect of the animal, thanks to which it will respond to its nickname. Of all the hamster breeds, it is these rodents that are famous for their docile and cheerful disposition.

In addition, individuals accustomed to family members will become very affectionate towards humans, not perceiving them as a threat. However, small animals can become depressed if kept in a very small cage. Syrian hamsters cage size should be at least one square meter with a height of 30-40 centimeters.

According to the responses of the breeders of pre-Asian rodents, it can be noted that the animals in the dwelling manifest themselves as friendly and cheerful, which allows them to be kept in families with small children. However, care and attention for the pet must be dosed, since continuous contact with a person can provoke aggression from the animal, as well as stresswhich will adversely affect its longevity.

For information on how to keep a Syrian hamster, see the next video.