Just another blog about hamsters

 

THE SYRIAN HAMSTER (Mesocricetus auratus)

The Syrian hamster is the largest and most common of the hamster species kept as a pet and comes in a variety of different coat types, colours and patterns.

The Syrian hamster is the most common of the hamster species kept as a pet and the hamster most widely seen in pet shops. They make excellent pets for both children and adults.

As the name suggest the Syrian hamster originates from Syria and was also originally known as the Golden hamster due to its wild golden brown colouring.

The Syrian hamster has expandable cheek pouches on both sides of its face that extend back towards the shoulder in which it will place food and bedding to carry back to its nest. Once there the hamster will push out the contents through its mouth by massaging the cheek pouches with its paws. A Syrian hamster can carry up to half its own body weight in grain in its cheekpouches.

The Syrian Hamster is approximately 6-7 inches in length when full grown with females usually slightly larger than males. It has a short head with large eyes and round, delicate ears and a blunt muzzle. The body of the Syrian hamster is stocky with a very short tail that is barely visible and it has short legs and hairless feet with four toes on the front feet and five on the back feet.

 

THE RUSSIAN HAMSTER (Phodopus campbelli)

Campbell’s dwarf hamsters in nature roam through areas such as China, Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan. Habitat-wise, they live in semi-desert and grassland environments. Russian winter white dwarf hamsters originate both in Russia and Kazakhstan, and reside in similar environments as their Campbell’s counterparts. Within Russia, they specifically hail from Siberia.

Campbell’s dwarf hamsters are frequently thought of as inquisitive, friendly and loving — as long as they’re not protecting their turf. Winter white hamsters tend to have meeker dispositions, and it’s not difficult to shock them out of nowhere, so be careful and try to house them in a calm, low-traffic area of your home.

In terms of life expectancy, these hamsters are aren’t too different. Campbell’s dwarf hamsters generally survive for anywhere between 1 and 2 years, although it is possible for them to outlast the odds. Winter white hamsters generally stay alive anywhere in the ballpark of 1.5 to 2 years.

 

CHINESE HAMSTER (Cricetulus griseus)

Chinese hamsters, also known as Striped hamsters or Chinese Striped hamsters, are not generally social hamsters, but there have been some owners who have been able to successfully house them together. However, it’s best to be safe and house them individually. Though they can be aggressive towards each other, they are good-natured towards people and slightly timid, and they rarely bite. They are active during short periods throughout the day, but their most active period is at night.

Chinese hamsters are often mistakenly referred to as dwarf hamsters. Though at about 4″ full grown they are similar in size to other dwarf hamsters, they are actually not true dwarfs. Chinese hamsters have a body type that is similar to a rat or mouse – long and slender. There are two colors of Chinese hamsters. The first, and most common, is an agouti coat with a dark brown back, a black line of fur along the spine, and an ivory colored stomach. The other color is called a «dominant spot,» and it is a white coat with spots of color. The average life span of Chinese hamsters is about 1-1/2 to 2 years.