However, hamsters are delicate and will bite when stressed or in pain. Below we have come up with a list of 15 most commonly asked questions and facts, which we hope will inform and delight you. Teddy bear hamsters can live anywhere from 2-5 years, but they most commonly live between . Syrian Hamster Lifespan. Males seem to outlive females on average, which is unusual in the animal world. How Often Do You Feed A Hamster? The hamster in the Guiness World Record book lived to an impressive 4.5 years old! Housing male Syrian hamsters together can cause stress in the animals and lead to fatal fighting. Birmingham. The first British hamster club followed shortly after, in 1945! They have a stocky, barrel shaped body with little stubby tails that are almost completely hidden beneath their long fur. Syrian hamsters in the wild live much shorter lives than our domesticated pets. Many reputable and ethical hamster breeders ensure that hamster pups are handled to get them acquainted with being held and interacting with humans. Especially for children who have school in the day, or adults who work outside of the home. Although the exact origin of these hamsters has yet to be determined, Michael R. Murphy (author of History of the Capture and Domestication of the Syrian Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus Waterhouse) states in his book that the earliest mention of Syrian hamsters description is recorded in The Natural History of Aleppo (by Dr. Alexander Russell.) Newborn pups reach sexual maturity in about 3-4 weeks. Cleaning the cage will prevent stress for the hamster while also protecting against diseases like wet tail. All Rights Reserved. My teddy bear hamster, Mr. Cakes, gives me such a dirty look when I wake him up. They are solitary animals with an average lifespan of 2-3 years. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. They have a stout, stocky body with little tails that are barely visible underneath their fur. If you are thinking about getting a teddy bear hamster but want some top tips and further information on these cute and cuddly fur balls, then why not read our informative guide on everything you need to know about teddy bear hamsters? Female hamsters can reproduce between the ages of 8 and 10 weeks when they weigh an average of 90 to 100 grams. So older, responsible kids can handle them without much of a problem. ), Nightshade vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes), Accessories (wheel, nesting box, bedding:) $30 $65 (USD). Teddy hamsters are also lovingly referred to as teddy bear hamsters. They have a greater risk of stillbirth. It is possible, but rare, for these animals to live as long as five years. Cardboard tubes from toilet paper and paper towels can be reused as hamster toys. Wake him with your voice, not your fingers! 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. Theyre responsible for feeding their hamsters, refilling their water and making sure that they get out of their cages when they want out. If your child wants a pet it can interact with, a Syrian hamster or teddy bear hamster is perfect. 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 oldest recorded teddy bear hamster lived for 8 years. This species of hamster is the most common in the world. One main reason to choose a Syrian hamster as your pet is: theyre really fun! Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. How long can a hamster go without eating or drinking? Cleanliness is important for a hamsters health, which primarily requires you to keep the bedding clean. It will also persist for longer than normal if a successful pregnancy is underway. Lilly. A females behind tends to be more rounded than a male hamster, which in comparison looks elongated. You should also never put your hamster in and exercise balls are not recommended as it is a very stressful experience for the hamster. So before taking a hamster home, its important to have their cage set up beforehand. Some of these factors are genetic that cant be controlled or avoided. I always go around and check on each hamster after my kids have taken care of them to make sure that they have everything they need. He just sat there, with the seat belt above him, just riding shotgun and watching me drive. For females the gap between the two is hardly noticeable and the area around them will be bald. When handling your hamster, remember to wash your hands, wear gloves and offer treats for good behavior all of which will help prevent painful bites. For example, a teddy hamster is long-haired . Have a question? A Syrian hamster on top a piece of watermelon. 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. Tubes satisfy the burrowing behavior in hamsters. Thats all I need. Janet Evanovitch. Syrian hamsters are native to Syria (hence its name) and parts of the Middle East. Syrian hamsters are more likely to get wet tail than dwarf varieties, which is severe diarrhea with a low survival rate in all hamsters. Lack of handling (taming) results in an aggressive hamster that will bite. Initial research on hamsters determined that the mammalian circadian rhythm is modulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the brain. Slightly warmer or cooler than this range is also acceptable. How to tell if a teddy bear hamster is pregnant. When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. They are one of the biggest hamster breeds, coming in at almost double the size of dwarf hamsters! Individual hamster can live shorter or longer depending on their lifestyle, diet, and care. Adolescence arrives quickly in hamsters since they only live a few years. Since it is pretty gentle and enjoys being held, it is sometimes called teddy bear. The average lifespan of the Syrian hamster is 2-3 years as pets. Hamsters are crepuscular, which means they sleep during the day and are usually most active during dawn and dusk. Depending on care and health however, it is possible for teddy bear hamsters to live as long as five years although this is unusual. Black Otter Rex Rabbits Is This Bunny Right for You? Individual hamster can live shorter or longer depending on their lifestyle, diet, and care. A good quality pellet food designed for hamsters. I have a hamster. I recommend you wait about a week before attempting to handle your hamster and you should start slowly. If its your first pet, just having one can make things a lot easier, and less intense. 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. As far as pets go, Syrian hamsters are among the easiest hamsters to tame. Domestic hamsters do not require sand baths because they are not exposed to the elements of the wild. Keep your hamster cage clean, encourage exercise, and provide a well-balanced diet to promote your pets longevity. Hamsters actually have a relatively complex system of endocrine signaling that is responsible for displays of social dominance and submission. The oldest cub lived to be eight years old. READY FOR NEW HOMES!! Russell studied Syrian hamsters back in the late 1700s. How long do Syrian hamsters live? As we look at some of the other great teddy bear hamster facts, youll see how they link to this first point! If you help your hamster get used to being handled from a very young age, it will love being held by you. Teddy bear hamsters are originally from Syria, and that is why they are called Syrian. 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. As mentioned, the Syrian hamster lifespan is around 2-3 years. They have a stout, stocky body with little tails that are barely visible underneath their fur. I was surprised that he snuggled right up to me when I was settling him from his destroyed box to his new home! So, try not to surprise your hamster when you want to handle him. 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 . Hamster habitat. Large cheek pouches allow the rodent to store extra food. Domestic teddy bear hamster food includes seeds, grains, and vegetables. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Squeaks and Nibbles is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, Squeaks and Nibbles is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. They do not exist in the wild. Are Male Or Female Teddy Bear Hamsters Better? Lets take a look at 14 teddy bear hamster facts to help you decide if a teddy bear hamster is perfect for you! These tiny mammals are herbivores eating grains, vegetables, and fruit. Teddy bear hamsters have the shortest gestation period of all the breeds, at around 16 days, and from the 10 day mark you will start to notice her belly swelling. She has a background in Broadcast Journalism & Political Science from CUNY Brooklyn College. Hamsters are also renowned for having terrible eyesight so rely on their other extraordinary senses to guide them and keep them safe. The typical cleaning schedule for a hamster cage should involve spot cleaning every day. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Underweight or overweight symptoms in hamsters are typical because of a poor diet, being fed too much or too little, or not having access to some form of exercise or exercising too much. That you can do several things to make sure your hamster is comfortable and healthy, which will provide the best conditions for long life. Syrian hamsters are the most common pet hamster. 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. Sometimes, hamsters in the wild have been found to occupy the abandoned burrows of other burrowing species. Golden hamsters are a great choice as a pet because they are quite tame pets! Wondering how long do teddy bear hamsters live? . Hamsters do have tails, but they are very short relative to their bodies and so are somewhat hidden. Bigger cages allow you to add more fun things for your hamster to burrow in, climb over, and chew on, keeping your hamster happy. Teddy Bear hamsters are friendly, providing they have undergone proper handling. 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. As Syrian hamsters are the largest breed, the average lifespan for a teddy bear is two to three years. You can train your teddy bear hamster to be held from a young age, and they do enjoy this kind of social interaction. If you want to have more than one hamster, you should consider getting dwarf breed hamsters. There are several things that you can do to prevent and dissuade this behavior. It is therefore important that we preserve the lives of our pet hamsters for as long as possible. The hair may be solid black, brown, gold, or dark grey. As teddy bear hamsters can grow to around 5-7 inches, you need to have a cage large enough for it to live and scamper around in. You may, however, take certain precautions to ensure that you are providing your hamster with the best possible life. A baby hamster is called a pup. It is pink, with no fur, and blind at birth. Whats your favorite thing about this little pet? The average lifespan of a teddy bear hamster is about 2-3 years in captivity, and less time in the wild. This size makes golden hamsters the perfect pet, as they are big enough to handle and interact with. Domestic teddy bear hamsters are omnivores by nature, which means they enjoy a diverse range of foods including plants, insects and vegetables. Teddy Bear Hamster Facts 14 Reasons To Buy A Syrian Hamster. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. Pre-made pellet and seed mix from a pet store gives plenty of variety and is very nutritious. You can buy huge cages and tanks that you can fill with over 10 inches of burrowing bedding. Yes, Teddy Bear hamsters have a playful, amicable demeanor and a ton of otherwise wonderful attributes! You may wonder what the difference is between teddy bear hamsters, Syrian hamsters, and dwarf hamsters. This indicates that the hamster is sexually mature as well as having achieved or is very near to reaching its full length. It goes without saying that hamsters love having a wheel to exercise and burn off excess energy. How long is a teddy bear hamster pregnant for? Weve adjusted our cage section to reflect the lack of a legal minimum, but as we believe bigger is always better when it comes to hamster cages, this is what people should aim for. The only difference with teddy bear hamsters is that they are often easier to handle. How long do hamsters live? Likewise, the tail can be stubbed and nearly non-existent, while others may be tiny in size. And nothing is cuter than watching them fill up their cheeks with food! These hamsters are the smallest among domestic hamsters. This native aggression makes mating Syrian hamsters sometimes difficult. Teddy bear hamsters are incredibly cute and make great pets, the common name for whats known as the Syrian hamster. What is the difference between a Syrian hamster and a teddy bear hamster? In fact, they're some of the most popular small pets in the Western world. Field Mouse vs House Mouse: Whats the Difference. Their coat patterns are diverse and can range from no pattern to a hamster with a calico/tortoiseshell look. Its a good opportunity for the kids to learn responsibility and love for animals. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Teddy bear hamsters can make excellent companions, and you want to know how much time you will have with your special little friend. When Alex isn't nerdily stalking the internet for science news, he enjoys tabletop RPGs and making really obscure TV references. READY FOR NEW HOMES GEORGOUS HANDTAME HAMSTER PUPS. The lifespan of Syrian Hamsters Syrian or Golden hamsters are very active, but also solitary by nature. So, this pet isnt a short-term commitment, but wont be with you for as long as an animal like a dog would. Dwarf hamsters live for 3 years normally, so it has a longer expected lifespan than teddy bear hamsters. Hamster cages are not a one-size-fits-all and should be sized according to your hamster. Occasional treats from the pet store/vet. Our advice is to simply be patient and work on building up a good bond. Therefore tunnels, tubes and bridges are great for them to run around in and on. Larger than Dwarf Hamsters, The Syrian hamster - also known as the Golden or Teddy bear hamster is a small rodent belonging to the Cricetinae family. Maybe its, There are over 20 known species of hamsters but only five breeds are popular as pets. Hamster Wet Tail How To Spot It And What To Do Hamsters Hibernate? My teddy bear hamster HAMMY .has a hissy fit when I put him back in his cage after letting him run around in his ball and play penn he is like a child throwing a tantrum.but he is very smart and always seems to amaze me .just the other day he was sitting on my lap watching tv with me I was eating popcorn he decided to crawl up my arm and to the bowl of popcorn and help him self than back on my lap to eat the popcorn .he also has a little dog freind whom him and her have a great relationship they play tag when hammy is in the ball he will chase after the dog than the dog will chase after him .they also hang out together when the dog is sleeping he will sit in hiss ball next to her .I had no idea how smart and lovable teddys can be. However, pet teddy bear hamster lifespan often reaches up to 3 years old. Fancy bear hamsters are curious and adventurous, so they will love wandering around, burrowing, and exploring! 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