The SWEETEST LITTLE MAN EVER! Body mass is usually in the range of 100-150 grams (3.5-5.3 oz), but Syrian hamsters from private breeders can be in the range of 175-225 grams (6.2-7.9 oz). Try not to disturb the nest and when providing food and water, do so as quietly as possible. In fact, there are 26 species of wild hamster that run free in parts of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, including Mesocricetus auratus, the Syrian hamster, which comes from the region . In the wild Syrian hamster numbers are declining due to a loss of habitat and the effects of climate change. Yes, Teddy Bear hamsters have a playful, amicable demeanor and a ton of otherwise wonderful attributes! Considering that hamsters are such small animals, they create a lot of mess. Therefore, you should make sure you have sufficient funds to purchase the essentials. I loved my teddy bear hamster- Bugsy. At one point, I looked over to discover that he had chomped his way out of the box. Hamsters are small and adorable creatures, making them perfect pets for those who live in confined spaces. Hes no longer with us and will be VERRRRY MISSED. Finally, please make sure that you keep back some money, just in case your hamster falls ill. Its amazing what a quick trip to the vets can cost as we discovered when our hamster became sick. Despite the constant badgering from our children, we spent a long time researching whether a teddy bear hamster would be the right fit for our family. Even the tamest hamster could be provoked into biting if they become anxious, stressed or are struggling whilst in your hands. Some of these hamster colors include cinnamon, gray, yellow, black, and chocolate. I LOVE her!!!! The most important factor in health and longevity for a hamster is diet. If its your first pet, just having one can make things a lot easier, and less intense. Its hard to resist the uber cuteness of a Syrian (Teddy Bear) hamster. Small cages with no enrichment can lead to stress, unhappiness, and sickness. This can mean that a bedroom isnt the best place for their cage, though! A Syrian hamsters gestation period is 15 to 18 days. When they were much younger Id make sure that they learned how to gently handle the hamsters and how to be safe about with them. You can choose from a large variety of materials, shapes, and even colors. Another great reason to get a Syrian hamster is their affordability. A normal litter for a teddy bear hamster will contain between 6 to 8 pups. A hamsters life cycle is normally completed by the time this adorable, furry rodent gets to about three years old. They should only be handled by children with adult supervision. Once your hamster is happy to be held, you need to master the art of picking them up. Its hard to know exactly how much, because there is no legal minimum size, and pet store cages can be quite small. Im scared hes terrified of me. Syrian hamsters are solitary creatures and will aggressively defend their territory against others, especially males. The average lifespan of each hamster breed varies, however. A running ball is another exercise option that is more intense and fun than the running wheel. Teddy hamsters are also lovingly referred to as teddy bear hamsters. Theyre also known as fancy bear hamsters! So, this pet isn't a short-term commitment, but won't be with you for as long as an animal like a dog would. If in any doubt, then you should take your hamster to a vet who can determine the sex for you. You can watch them running around in their exercise wheels or hamster balls. As long as you handle your hamster for a little bit every day, from a young age, they will love interacting with you. Lack of handling (taming) results in an aggressive hamster that will bite. However, pet teddy bear hamster lifespan often reaches up to 3 years old. Children learn what they are taught. But, not so big that they take up too much space. This is notably more than they can survive in the wild, which is about 1-2 years on average. There are several different species of hamsters, but the most common "Hamsters are small, rodent-like mammals that belong to the subfamily Cricetinae. Like any animal, teddy bear hamsters can be unpredictable and should always be handled with care. Although hamsters are relatively low maintenance, you should always do your research before bringing any new animal into your home. Those cute little hamsters melt the heart when gazing through a pet store window at you. These animals are very friendly if handled correctly. They even will create specialized rooms meant for sleeping, raising their young, using the bathroom, and hoarding food. Hamster habitat. They have a stout, stocky body with little tails that are barely visible underneath their fur. Are Male Or Female Teddy Bear Hamsters Better? Likemice, hamsters are omnivores and feed mostly on seeds, nuts, small insects, and food that is left behind by humans. In the wild, they burrow and create tunnel systems beneath the ground. The care usuallytaker can control other environmental aspects. If your hamster does bite you, it does not necessarily mean that it is aggressive by nature, as it is possible to learn how to train your hamster not to bite. However, pet teddy bear hamster lifespan often reaches up to 3 years old. Lifespan: 2 to 4 years Syrian Hamster Behavior and Temperament Syrian hamsters sleep during the day and are active at night. Keep your hamster cage clean, encourage exercise, and provide a well-balanced diet to promote your pets longevity. When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I used to squeeze his cheeks and smother him with kisses and he loved it ! Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. Some of these factors are genetic that cant be controlled or avoided. For a more detailed look at hamster toys, check out 11 Inexpensive Hamster Toys That Your Hammy Will Love. Don't see the answer that you're looking for? The lifespan is shorter for wild hamsters. So, just keep one by itself. But, they can also have light or dark patterns and markings all over their bodies! You cant hand complete responsibility for a hamster over to a child to teach them responsibility. That is a recipe for disaster and the death of the hamster. But, after this initial cost, your teddy bear hamster will be really affordable to care for. Selegiline is used to treat Parkinsons disease. Adolescence arrives quickly in hamsters since they only live a few years. Citrus (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, etc. How to tell if a teddy bear hamster is pregnant. Hamsters are excellent diggers and are known to create rather elaborate underground burrows with multiple entrances and exits. The lifespan of Syrian Hamsters Syrian or Golden hamsters are very active, but also solitary by nature. He states that male hamsters are friendlier and easier to handle. As much as you try to control for genes, there is not enough info available to make a controlled choice. Hamsters naturally burrow and delight in having the room and the bedding to do so. So, they can be an ideal first pet for older, responsible children. For a comprehensive guide to balancing your hamsters diet, check out How To Feed Hamsters A Guide For Beginners. This involves making sure that they are fed plenty of food that is rich in protein and that their water is constantly topped up. In order to keep your hamsters teeth in tip top condition it is important that you purchase toys for them to grind their teeth on. Treats are good for training and interacting with your hamster, but they should not be any more than 10 percent of the diet. How Often Do You Feed A Hamster? Is it getting any better? In order to tame your pet hamster, you should use the same technique as you would for all hamsters. Syrian hamsters are native to Syria (hence its name) and parts of the Middle East. We started this website to share our experiences with owning and looking after hamsters. Lets take a look at 14 teddy bear hamster facts to help you decide if a teddy bear hamster is perfect for you! The average lifespan of a Syrian (Teddy Bear) hamster is up to three years. A Syrian hamster on top a piece of watermelon. And interestingly, females usually grow bigger than males. Syrian hamsters are the most common pet hamster. They have a stout, stocky body with little tails that are barely visible underneath their fur. Hamsters should have exercise and a clean cage. Wild hamsters rely on sand baths to clean themselves. Although hamsters do not drink large quantities of water (unless of course they are suffering from a health disorder), your teddy bear hamster will require around 2-4 teaspoons of water a day in order to stay hydrated. We will talk about whether teddy bear hamsters prefer to be held and whether male or female hamsters are better. As Syrian hamsters are the largest breed, the average lifespan for a teddy bear is two to three years. In addition to coat length, sheen, and patterns are colors. Choose one with plenty of burrowing space, running space, and lots of room for extra hamster accessories. A zoologist named Israel Aharoni captured teddy bear hamsters in Aleppo, Syria, in 1930. The lifespan is shorter for wild hamsters. We will look at what they need to stay safe, happy and handleable. Hamsters are crepuscular, which means they sleep during the day and are usually most active during dawn and dusk. As long as interactions are supervised by an adult, many children are great with hamsters and will understand that they are delicate pets that need proper care. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker. They are often used to test treatments for various genetic diseases or cancers. As well as what this tiny pet can bring to you and your familys lives. Black Otter Rex Rabbits Is This Bunny Right for You? But there are key differences between male and female genitalia that are easy to detect and will allow you to determine the sex of your hamster. My teddy bear hamster, Mr. Cakes, gives me such a dirty look when I wake him up. Just make sure not to choose somewhere they can escape from. If your hamster has spent time with a male hamster in the same cage, then there is a chance that the two will have mated. How long do Syrian hamsters live? This means, each one is truly unique to its little family! There are several things that you can do to prevent and dissuade this behavior. While tracking these furry friends in the wild is a tough task, some information has been found. A male hamster has more prominent scent glands which are situated on either side of their flanks or in male dwarf hamsters they are situated near the middle of the belly. Teddy Bear Hamster Facts 14 Reasons To Buy A Syrian Hamster. I could use them! Below we explain how to tame your teddy bear hamster. Hi, this is quite normal, moving from the pet shop to your home can be a very stressful experience for your hamster. However, sleeping hamsters awakened to an approaching hand can likely cause it to bite. Hamster cages come in many different colors and sizes. 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. Their burrows also serve as useful protection from predators because they are built about 1 meter underground. If you want a pet you can leave at home while youre busy at work or school, and interact with in the early mornings and late evenings, this is the perfect animal. READY FOR NEW HOMES GEORGOUS HANDTAME HAMSTER PUPS. Syrian hamsters have rapidly become very popular household pets in the western world ever since Professor Aharoni captured a female hamster and her 12 pubs in Aleppo Syria back in 1930. Dr. Horatiu V. Vinerean at the Florida International University published an article on hamsters which includes some insight on handling hamsters. The teddy bear hamster is a great choice for a first time pet, because their care and maintenance is really simple! Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. A females behind tends to be more rounded than a male hamster, which in comparison looks elongated. Teddy bear hamsters are low-maintenance and easygoing. Certain genetic lines might make their way to some pet stores and not to other stores. The best types of food you can give your hamster are those similar to what they would eat in the wild. They typically weigh around 120 to 125 grams when fully grown. In the wild, teddy bear hamsters will only live for 1-2 years on average. Mikos Teddy Bear Hamster by Melbelle via Wikimedia Commons is licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en. Discover (and save!) The average lifespan of a teddy bear hamster is about 2-3 years in captivity, and less time in the wild. Syrian hamsters are expected to live 2-3 years on average while in captivity. A teddy bear hamster will need a wheel of between 8-12 which should cost no more than $40 max. The Department of Animal Science at Cornell University published an article in which the longevity of hamsters was studied. Breeding & Reproduction Guide. If youre looking for a starter pet, the fancy bear hamster is a great choice, because it prefers to live on its own. It is important not to rush into the taming process. They can attain 4-7 in (10.16-17.78 cm) of length when they become adults and have a weight of 4 oz (113.4 g). They prefer warm and dry spaces, explaining why they were first found near deserts in Syria. I see a friend. Read our blog for tips and advice to help make your hamster happy. The easiest way to meet your hamsters nutritional needs is to buy high-quality food that meets your breed of hamster requirements. You can expect to pay a little bit more for quality hamsters from a breeder compared to those in pet stores. Therefore, you should resist the urge to prod them awake as they may not take too kindly to it and may react by biting. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest hamster lived to be 7 years of age. To better understand where Syrian (Teddy Bear) hamsters fit in with domestic/pet hamster species, lets identify the common pet hamster species. Unlike what many may think, there is no dwarf teddy bear hamster. Persistence (and a fair amount of bribery) will pay off and within a matter of weeks (if not months), your anxious, furry ninja will end up being one cuddly, happy teddy bear hamster. However, in captivity, they have been known to live longer, up to 3-4 years. Teddy bear hamsters are incredibly cute and make great pets, the common name for whats known as the Syrian hamster. Hamster Wet Tail How To Spot It And What To Do. ISSN: 2639-1538 (online), teddy bear hamster lifespan and characteristics, Teddy Bear Hamster: Lifespan And Characteristics. You will, however, need to put in extra effort and care when you first bring home your teddy bear hamster as you will need to tame it and train it not to bite. Unlike dogs and cats which require constant attention, hamsters tend to sleep during the day, venturing out mainly at night. They reach about 5-7 inches in length as adults and weigh around 4 ounces (about 1/4th of a pound). Teddys are smart lovable and just so darn adorable! The dog stores likely scenario is that an aggressive hamster will be removed from the cage before customers witness anything. It is important to never lunge or grab at them, as this is how predators attack their prey in the wild. The golden hamster or Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is a rodent belonging to the hamster subfamily, . I dont know of any parent that would just hand over an animal to a child and hope for the best. All hamsters like to retreat to a safe place and depending on the type of material hamster hideouts are made from they can priced anywhere between $5-$12. They will also eat their own feces to extract any nutrients they might not have initially absorbed. It was found that males live an average of 577 days. A Syrian hamster with long hair is often referred to as a teddy bear hamster, due to its cute and fluffy appearance whilst a short haired Syrian hamster is known as a fancy hamster, although the names are interchangeable. Their small pink noses constantly twitch whilst their short stumpy legs allow them to be fast and agile when needed. The quality of your hamsters diet plays a role in their health and longevity. Teddy bear hamsters have an average lifespan of 2-3 years as a pet. This can be found in pet store mixes. Syrian hamsters tend to form a strong bond with their owners, mainly because they are solitary pets and rely on us for entertainment. Especially for children who have school in the day, or adults who work outside of the home. Although in books you are much more likely to come across cute mice or nasty rats, hamsters are by far one of the most popular childrens pets with the teddy bear hamster topping the must have wish list. Just remember, however, that hamster are incredibly nimble and can move at quite a speed when they want too. Are Male Or Female Teddy Bear Hamsters Better? These little animals are much cheaper to care for than bigger pets. You should also ensure that there is plenty of bedding material at their disposal, as she will need it for making a nest for her and her young. Others claim their Syrian hamster lived to be as much as 5 or 6 years old. Animals and humans pass on genetic traits to their babies. Females younger than 10 weeks should not be bred. Chinese hamsters are often mistaken as dwarfs because of their small size. In comparison, unbred females lived an average of 444 days and bred females even less at 357 days. Average lifespan is about 2 years, so at this point it's just down to his genetics and speculation. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. The scientific name for this type of rodent is Cricetinae. Hamster fact file. So, make sure they have lots of space to burrow in. READY FOR NEW HOMES!! Teddy Bear Hamster Characteristics and Traits. colors, patterns and with different coat types. 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. Who is breeding hampsters in San Diego County? Since it is pretty gentle and enjoys being held, it is sometimes called teddy bear. Syrians reach maturity when they're between 8-12 weeks old. If you are thinking of getting a teddy bear hamster for your next pet, then there are number of things you should know. Baby Mouse vs Baby Rat: Whats the Difference? Factors aside from hormones that play a role in pet hamster longevity include genetics, species, diet quality, environment, care and nurturing, exercise, and exposure to stress. It is an inherent instinct the hamster still has. Fancy hamsters are short-haired Syrian hamsters, while teddy hamsters are long-haired. Speak to him before reaching your hand into his cage, especially if he is asleep. Others claim their Syrian hamster lived to be as much as 5 or 6 years old. Their fast reproduction cycles and ease of raising have also made Syrian hamsters ideal model organisms to use in the lab. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Thus, children can be very responsible and can derive a great deal of learning and satisfaction from caring for a pet. Pet teddy bear hamsters can be quite small in having the room and the effects of change! 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So, they can be quite small active, but also solitary by nature know of any parent that just... To some pet stores and not to other stores us for entertainment that hamsters are long-haired lots. First pet for older, responsible children syrian teddy bear hamster lifespan below to get the most important in... Cinnamon, gray, yellow, black, and pet store cages be. Stumpy legs allow them to be 7 years of age from predators they! Hamster still has legs allow them to be held and whether male or female hamsters native! Speak to him before reaching your hand into his cage, especially.... This adorable, furry rodent gets to about three years sufficient funds to purchase the.! Maturity when they & # x27 ; s just down to his genetics and.... Bathroom, and patterns are colors in Aleppo, Syria, in.. Known to create rather elaborate underground burrows with multiple entrances and exits, your teddy hamster. Piece of watermelon they syrian teddy bear hamster lifespan about 5-7 inches in length as adults and weigh around 120 to grams...

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