), Nightshade vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes), Accessories (wheel, nesting box, bedding:) $30 $65 (USD). That you can do several things to make sure your hamster is comfortable and healthy, which will provide the best conditions for long life. Sometimes, hamsters in the wild have been found to occupy the abandoned burrows of other burrowing species. Hi there, thanks for your comment! Hamsters are also renowned for having terrible eyesight so rely on their other extraordinary senses to guide them and keep them safe. With time, they will allow you to pet them and play with them. For hamster parents entertaining the notion of Teddy Bear hamster breeding, we suggest you do your research because Syrian hamsters are solitary, and females wont hesitate to attack a male or even eat their newborn pups. Alex has a Masters's degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Thus, children can be very responsible and can derive a great deal of learning and satisfaction from caring for a pet. In addition to a running wheel, you can get your hamster out from the cage during its active time of day. The taller the cage, the more opportunity of providing your hamster deep bedding to burrow in. If you want to have more than one hamster, you should consider getting dwarf breed hamsters. The only difference with teddy bear hamsters is that they are often easier to handle. Treats are good for training and interacting with your hamster, but they should not be any more than 10 percent of the diet. A teddy bear hamster is one of several names for a Syrian hamster. Teddy bear hamsters can grow to around 4-7 inches in length and are one of the largest breeds, coming in at almost double the size of a dwarf hamster. If the smell is a concern for you, then the man teddy bear hamster is really a better choice. Others claim their Syrian hamster lived to be as much as 5 or 6 years old. No matter what age you are, youll love taking care of a teddy bear hamster. Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do Chinchillas Live? Therefore, you should resist the urge to prod them awake as they may not take too kindly to it and may react by biting. Im in the San Diego area and am trying to find a local breeder so that I can buy a Syrian hampster that has been handled. Her temperament may also change, shell start to make a nest for her young and she may make it clear that she no longer wants to be handled. What a character ! Even though they are raised as a part of a litter, they do not tolerate the company of another one once they reach the age of 5 to 10 weeks. Females are more prone to bite, and this may be because they are more territorial. Its the long hair that sets them apart as Teddy Bear hamsters. The longest-living scientifically . Below is a list of teddy bear hamster equipment to help you budget. Cute Guinea Pig Names 200 Unique Names To Choose From, Cow Names Over 400 Amazing Names For Your Cattle. The average lifespan of a teddy bear hamster is about 2-3 years in captivity and less time in the wild. Teddy bear is a term used to describe a Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) with long hair. But, this is a great opportunity to watch them run around in a hamster-safe play area! So, this pet isnt a short-term commitment, but wont be with you for as long as an animal like a dog would. Have a question? Citrus (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, etc. Syrians are territorial animals and will fight and kill each other in the same cage. The teddy bear hamster is also known as a long-haired Syrian hamster. So, if possible, choose a home for your hamster with the biggest floor space possible, and fill it with fun objects to stimulate your little pet. When Alex isn't nerdily stalking the internet for science news, he enjoys tabletop RPGs and making really obscure TV references. You may also use treats to allow your hamster to gain trust. The potential hamster parent will be required to handle it to tame it until it feels comfortable and develops a bond. Domestic hamsters do not require sand baths because they are not exposed to the elements of the wild. There are other individuals of the species who do have different colors, ranging from black to white to spotted and some even have long fine fur that requires special maintenance. When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. Make sure to section off an area, so there is no place for your little friend to escape. To find out more about the use of running balls for your hamster, read How Long Can You Keep A Hamster In A Ball? Pre-packaged muesli or pellets bought from your local pet store offer a great source of nutrients and minerals for your hamster, however small quantities of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs offer a great way to supplement their diet. Teddy bear hamsters like wooden and cardboard chew toys. The SWEETEST LITTLE MAN EVER! Slightly warmer or cooler than this range is also acceptable. They are by far the most common variety of hamster and are kept as pets the world around. To better understand where Syrian (Teddy Bear) hamsters fit in with domestic/pet hamster species, lets identify the common pet hamster species. Fancy hamsters are short-haired Syrian hamsters, while teddy hamsters are long-haired. The only difference is that we dont know much information about the predcan bepositions that are passed on genetically for hamsters. After being bred in Jerusalem, members of the subsequent breeding colony were exported to the US where they becamepopular house pets. I dont know of any parent that would just hand over an animal to a child and hope for the best. So many things make Syrian hamsters a great choice for children. I LOVED HIM SO MUCH. Therefore, you should make sure you have sufficient funds to purchase the essentials. The teddy bear hamster is a great choice for a first time pet, because their care and maintenance is really simple! There are 24 species of hamster and they belong to the family Cricetidae. The Laboratory Animal Medicine Third Edition published an article (Biology and Diseases of Hamsters) that notes Syrian hamsters currently residing in the wild of the Middle East are found in arid desert regions where they tunnel deep to stay cool. Hamster Quiz - Only The Top 1% Can Ace our Animal Quizzes. Here are some interesting facts, such as the average Syrian hamster lifespan, that may help you better bond with your pet hamster and learn more about their habits. The most important factor in health and longevity for a hamster is diet. Teddy Bear hamsters are friendly, providing they have undergone proper handling. Adults should always be fully involved in the caste of hamsters and other small animals. Its hilarious, he scrunches up his little face and sometimes screams at me. I just adopted Mr. Bodhi Lucas P. today. Wake him with your voice, not your fingers! link to Why does my hamster poop so much? Otherwise known as a Syrian, golden or fancy bear, teddy bear hamsters are incredibly cute and cuddly, which probably accounts for their popularity as a breed. Theres a cage for every budget. 1MobileMarket Im done with men. Chinese Dwarf Hamster: Exotic Hamster Breed Guide, Syrian Hamster: The Most Popular Hamster Type, Roborovski Dwarf Hamster: Breed Information and Care Tips, Dog And Hamster: Everything You Need To Know, Hamster Food Bowl: Tips for Selecting the Best One, Do Hamsters Get Lonely? What Can Be Controlled? Instead scoop them gently into your hands using a cupping motion whilst remembering to support their weight in the process. Why are you advocating hamsters as ideal pets for children? A zoologist named Israel Aharoni captured teddy bear hamsters in Aleppo, Syria, in 1930. This does not mean that your pet hamster cant live longer because Syrian hamsters can live so long as 4 years and possibly more. Rather than just guessing, here are some key symptoms to tell if your fancy bear hamster is pregnant. Just remember, however, that hamster are incredibly nimble and can move at quite a speed when they want too. Your hamster will need a cage that provides enough room to explore, burrow, exercise, and enjoy. Such patterns include roan, banded, dominant spot, or tortoiseshell. Although most hamsters are rehomed before they hit sexual maturity, female hamsters are able to get pregnant from as early as 6-8 weeks old. This is why it is so important to approach them slowly so as not to scare them and always make sure that you wash your hands so that they do not mistake your fingers for some form of tasty food source. Hamsters also enjoy different kinds of climbing toys or strings that hang from the top of the cage. Another great reason to get a golden hamster is their size. Field Mouse vs House Mouse: Whats the Difference. Hamsters usually live for up to two years, although some may live for longer. However, in captivity, they have been known to live longer, up to 3-4 years. It is of course tempting to want to hold your hamster immediately after purchasing them, but they are likely to be scared and confused at first, so you should wait a few days to let them relax and adapt to their new surroundings. Teddy bear hamsters can live anywhere from 2-5 years, but they most commonly live between . In America the minimum cage size for all hamster species is 450 inches square 12 by 30 inches is only 360 inches square. Hamster habitat. Holding them for the very first time may feel a little daunting. Make sure you teach your children how to properly look after and handle a hamster, and supervise their petting sessions. Hamsters do have tails, but they are very short relative to their bodies and so are somewhat hidden. Technically, hamsters are not true hibernators, as they only go into such a state for periods (torpors) of 10-20 days, not for an extended period of time. Long-haired hamsters also called Teddy bear hamsters; or Golden hamsters or Angora hamsters, are Syrian hamsters, usually male hamsters because the females have shorter coats. And, now you know all about them in terms of their history, biology, behavior, and personality, we are sure that youll agree too. These hamsters are the smallest among domestic hamsters. Our panel of experts willanswer your queries. The cost of a wheel will vary depending on the size required. All hamsters need more space than you might first think. Or, you can explore your creative side, and make a fun play area for them. Male hamsters develop quicker than females and attain sexual maturity between 4 and 6 weeks. If you try to put two teddy bear hamsters together, they may attack one another. I just adopted Mr Gizmo yesterday night, but hes very VERY tense. Unlike what many may think, there is no dwarf teddy bear hamster. Genetic disorders and predispositions can be inherited in hamsters as they can in humans or dogs. The average lifespan of teddy bear hamsters and the fancy hamsters is up to 2 to 3 years. And while they are generally quiet pets, their nighttime activity might keep you awake if you have their enclosure in your bedroom. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. If we told you that a little hamster has the features of a miniature black bear, would you, Is it a hamster or a mouse? They reach about 5-7 inches in length as adults and weigh around 4 ounces (about 1/4th of a pound). Once your hamster feels happy enough to come towards you on their own accord, try to coerce them into a container so that you can take them someone safe and enclosed to hold them. Russell studied Syrian hamsters back in the late 1700s. You can buy huge cages and tanks that you can fill with over 10 inches of burrowing bedding. Accessories will also require extra room within the cage. Most Dwarf hamsters . Testosterone and estrogen played key roles in determining how long males and female hamsters live. Once they are content to take them from your fingers, you should slowly start placing your hands inside their cage to offer them off the palms of your hand. Whats your favorite thing about this little pet? Domestic/pet hamsters will either be Syrian (also known as Golden or Teddy Bear,) Dwarf (Winter White, Campbell Russian, or Robovoski,) or Chinese. and the commercial hamster industry was started in Mobile, Alabama. There is no foolproof method for extending a hamster's life. These little animals are much cheaper to care for than bigger pets. Some people dont care about the history or origins of their pets. There are other genetic predispositions that you will not know when you buy your hamster. Well aim to answer questions that we have ourselves as we find out about hamsters and what it takes to look after them. In the wild, teddy bear hamsters will only live for 1-2 years on average. However, pet teddy bear hamster lifespan often reaches up to 3 years old. The Arabic name for hamsters roughly translates to Mister Saddlebags. So, how can this little creature be anything but cute! Make sure your hamster gets proper nutrition, and they are not fed too many unbalanced snacks. If you have a female teddy bear hamster, then you may have noticed a funny smell emanating from their cage every few days? But do they make good pets? We will talk about the differences between these hamsters and their lifespans. The Department of Animal Science at Cornell University published an article in which the longevity of hamsters was studied. 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