Teddy bear hamsters are incredibly cute and make great pets, the common name for whats known as the Syrian hamster. So, this pet isnt a short-term commitment, but wont be with you for as long as an animal like a dog would. The Manual of Exotic Pet Practice published a research article (Hamsters and Gerbils) which clearly mentions that the Golden (Syrian) hamster was originally classified in 1839. Volia Nikaci is a freelance copywriter and content editor with a passion and expertise in content creation, branding, and marketing. While in this period, they release a number of hormones that lower the males aggression and make them more receptive to mating. Syrian hamsters are the most common pet hamster. She has a background in Broadcast Journalism & Political Science from CUNY Brooklyn College. Theyre also known as fancy bear hamsters! Teddy bear hamsters are a great choice of pet for small children, as they are low maintenance to look after, great fun to play with and easy to train. Syrian hamsters tend to form a strong bond with their owners, mainly because they are solitary pets and rely on us for entertainment. They are actually sleep walking/talking, and you want to wake them so they dont hurt themselves. Teddy bear hamsters are territorial and will fight with any cage-mates, sometimes to the death. The breeding season for Syrian hamsters in the wild occurs during the spring and summer, but domestic hamsters can be made to breed year-round. Many reputable and ethical hamster breeders ensure that hamster pups are handled to get them acquainted with being held and interacting with humans. ), Nightshade vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes), Accessories (wheel, nesting box, bedding:) $30 $65 (USD). For a comprehensive guide to balancing your hamsters diet, check out How To Feed Hamsters A Guide For Beginners. Certain genetic lines might make their way to some pet stores and not to other stores. A hamster will have two openings (their sexual organ and their anus). It is therefore important that we preserve the lives of our pet hamsters for as long as possible. There are over 40 color varieties of these hamsters. Domestic hamsters will still burrow if given the appropriate space to do so. 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. The Syrian hamster, also known as the golden hamster, is not only adorable but is also quite smart as well. Individual hamster can live shorter or longer depending on their lifestyle, diet, and care. Pre-made pellet and seed mix from a pet store gives plenty of variety and is very nutritious. Hamsters are delicate creatures and easily injured. For example, a teddy hamster is long-haired . This can be found in pet store mixes. Home teddy bear hamster lifespan and characteristics. They generally cost around $2. Costs range from $12-$40. I LOVED HIM SO MUCH. To better understand where Syrian (Teddy Bear) hamsters fit in with domestic/pet hamster species, lets identify the common pet hamster species. Exercise, cage cleanliness, and the hamsters stress level are also factors for your pets longevity. Although your teddy bear hamster does not cost a lot of money itself, the paraphernalia, food and bedding to care for them can soon add up. 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. Our final reason that youll want to get a teddy bear hamster is simple theyre adorable! Syrian Hamsters are small rodents about the size of an adult human hand - The adult size ranges from 5 - 7 inches in length. Females are more prone to bite, and this may be because they are more territorial. A teddy bear hamster is one of several names for a Syrian hamster. Occasional treats from the pet store/vet. Social: While Syrian hamsters are sociable with humans, they are solitary animals and should live alone. While most are black, its not unusual for them to have blackish blue, blackish-red, dark red, or pink. In the wild, they burrow and create tunnel systems beneath the ground. Teddy bear hamsters like wooden and cardboard chew toys. 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. Hamster Age: 4 weeks Mixed. Fancy bear hamsters are friendly, curious and courageous, and enjoy wandering around, burrowing, and exploring their surroundings! Syrian hamsters are undeniably cute on the outside. There are different kinds of dwarf hamsters, and the longest living is the Robovoski that provides an expected lifespan of up to 4 many years. I feel a soul. A.D. Williams. Although they are often referred to as nocturnal, most teddy bear hamsters are crepuscular, which means they are more likely to be active at dawn or dusk which fits in perfectly with the school day. 3 useful ways to treat a sick hamster You can, How Many Babies Do Hamsters Have In A Litter? Their fast reproduction cycles and ease of raising have also made Syrian hamsters ideal model organisms to use in the lab. Syrians coat (fur) will either be shiny, which is known as satin, or have a dull, matte look which is known as non-satin. In addition to a running wheel, you can get your hamster out from the cage during its active time of day. This can mean that a bedroom isnt the best place for their cage, though! In addition to coat length, sheen, and patterns are colors. Read our blog for tips and advice to help make your hamster happy. Why are you advocating hamsters as ideal pets for children? The color of your hamster might not matter to you. 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. Another great reason to buy a fancy bear hamster as a pet is its personality. 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. I just adopted Mr. Bodhi Lucas P. today. Mine hasnt bitten me yet but he squeaks every time I get close to his cage. And nothing is cuter than watching them fill up their cheeks with food! I could use them! You should also never put your hamster in and exercise balls are not recommended as it is a very stressful experience for the hamster. If you want to indulge your Teddy Bear hamster with access to sand, there are sands and containers on the market that you can place in their cage. Have a question? Rather than just guessing, here are some key symptoms to tell if your fancy bear hamster is pregnant. Hamsters do have tails, but they are very short relative to their bodies and so are somewhat hidden. Hamster Wet Tail How To Spot It And What To Do Hamsters Hibernate? Like any animal, teddy bear hamsters can be unpredictable and should always be handled with care. And while they are generally quiet pets, their nighttime activity might keep you awake if you have their enclosure in your bedroom. I put clothes over his cage on 3 sides and the top, so he can only see out in front of his cage. In the wild, hamsters dig deep underground burrows to live and breed. Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. Syrian hamsters typically have short round bodies, stocky legs and feet, and have short silky golden brown fur. 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. Try to avoid giving them too much fresh fruit, as these are often high in natural sugar content. You can train your teddy bear hamster to be held from a young age, and they do enjoy this kind of social interaction. and the commercial hamster industry was started in Mobile, Alabama. 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. For the first time, it has been shown to extend animals average and maximum lifespans in a reproducible way. 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). Initial research on hamsters determined that the mammalian circadian rhythm is modulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the brain, Duck-Billed Dinosaurs Uncovered In Aniakchak, Alaska, Cryptic Diversity In Vietnams Limestone Karst Habitats, An Improved Method To Remove Debris From Cyst Nematode Egg Suspensions And Computer-Aided Technologies For Egg Counting, The Footprints Of Urbanization, Industrialization, And Agriculture On River Beds: Heavy Metal Contamination Assessment And Source Identification In River Sediments In Eastern China, Aging Dolphins Via Pectoral Flipper Radiography, Glycoalkaloids In Potatoes: The Effect Of Biostimulants And Herbicides. Choose one with plenty of burrowing space, running space, and lots of room for extra hamster accessories. When Alex isn't nerdily stalking the internet for science news, he enjoys tabletop RPGs and making really obscure TV references. Of course, we are bias, but we think teddy bear hamsters are undeniably cute and make the best first time pets. Domestic hamsters do not require sand baths because they are not exposed to the elements of the wild. Teddy Bear hamsters are friendly, providing they have undergone proper handling. However, pet teddy bear hamster lifespan often reaches up to 3 years old. Holding them for the very first time may feel a little daunting. They do not exist in the wild. 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. The study found that chronic treatment of Syrian hamsters with low-dose selegiline extends the lives of female hamsters but not males. A Guide To Hamster Hibernation. As Syrian hamsters are the largest breed, the average lifespan for a teddy bear is two to three years. Once your hamster is used to being handled, then as long as they receive some regular exercise outside of their cage, they will live a happy and healthy life. The taller the cage, the more opportunity of providing your hamster deep bedding to burrow in. Syrian hamsters are more likely to get wet tail than dwarf varieties, which is severe diarrhea with a low survival rate in all 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. Their coat patterns are diverse and can range from no pattern to a hamster with a calico/tortoiseshell look. Syrian, Teddy Bear, and Golden are all interchangeably used to describe this type of hamster breed. Although your Syrian hamster may store food in its cheeks, a simple food dish is not expensive, generally costing around $5. It makes sense, too, because their original homeland, Syria, is quite hot during the day and much cooler at night. 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. Make sure that you remove any hamster wheels and other toys from the cage to prevent your hamster using up all of their energy beforehand. This is an affiliate advertising program that is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees and revenue by advertising and linking to amazon.com with recommendations.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'hamsterguru_com-large-leaderboard-1','ezslot_1',141,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hamsterguru_com-large-leaderboard-1-0');report this ad. You will need to clean out a fancy bear hamsters home regularly. How long is a teddy bear hamster pregnant for? They have poor eyesight as they are both nearsighted and colorblind. With their round black eyes, tiny twitching noses, and fluffy fur, youll fall in love with the Syrian hamster. Small servings of fresh vegetables and fruits. One of the more notable physical features of Syrian hamsters is their long and sharp incisor teeth. The average lifespan of a teddy bear hamster is about 2-3 years in captivity and less time in the wild. Hamster habitat. As much as wed love to tell you these little guys will be around for a long time, they have short lives. But before you succumb to a moment of weakness, youll want to find out what goes into Teddy Bear hamster care. It is important not to rush into the taming process. Mouse vs Rat: 5 Main Differences Explained. These animals are very friendly if handled correctly. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Adolescence arrives quickly in hamsters since they only live a few years. Teddy Bear is just a marketing name for a Syrian hamster. The main threat to their lifespans are predators such as owls and other birds of prey. Likemice, hamsters are omnivores and feed mostly on seeds, nuts, small insects, and food that is left behind by humans. Distinctive spots of yellow, cinnamon, orange, Bedding (cedar and pine shavings should never be used), Reasonably quiet, warm room 64-79 degrees (F) (17-26 C), Placed on a solid surface such as a sturdy table, counter, or stand, On a surface where it can tip over or fall. Wild hamsters, How about a tiny hamster that can fit in a tablespoon? Avoid interacting with your hamster during sleep hours because this causes stress and disrupts its sleep. But, we believe that bigger is always best. Most older, responsible children can definitely be taught to handle hamsters with patience, and are very willing to learn about correct hamster care. Baby Mouse vs Baby Rat: Whats the Difference? Hamsters are also renowned for having terrible eyesight so rely on their other extraordinary senses to guide them and keep them safe. After their domestication and breeding in the Middle East by biologists working in Jerusalem, Syrian hamsters were imported to the United States. A teddy bear hamster's tail is very short at about half an inch long. Dwarf breeds are more likely to get diabetes. It is possible, but rare, for these animals to live as long as five years. Unlike what many may think, there is no dwarf teddy bear hamster. With time, they will allow you to pet them and play with them. 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. 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. So older, responsible kids can handle them without much of a problem. 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 . Although a hamster carrier may not be essential straight away, it is good to have something that you can carry your hamster in if you ever need to take it out of the house for example to the vets. For top tips on how to provide the best after care for your pregnant hamster and her hamster pups, read our informative blog on hamster pregnancy, cycles and birth. The average lifespan of a teddy bear hamster is about 2-3 years in captivity, and less time in the wild. And interestingly, females usually grow bigger than males. The tail of Teddy Bear hamsters may be hidden behind their long hair. You can expect to pay a little bit more for quality hamsters from a breeder compared to those in pet stores. Clean the water dish and meals bowl weekly. 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. Chewing is a natural behavior so providing them with safe means to do what comes naturally keeps them happy. Citrus (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, etc. Their coats might be of solid colour or a combination of colours, and bellies are mostly white. 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. This is notably more than they can survive in the wild, which is about 1-2 years on average. However, in captivity, they have been known to live longer, up to 3-4 years. But, this is a great opportunity to watch them run around in a hamster-safe play area! Syrians will either be one color (known as self) or have a crescent shape on their cheek and a light belly (known as agouti.). Older hamsters can lose their hair due to a lack of protein (less than 16%) or iron in their diet. What is the difference between a Syrian hamster and a teddy bear hamster? He has so much personality already. Others claim their Syrian hamster lived to be as much as 5 or 6 years old. Russell studied Syrian hamsters back in the late 1700s. When it comes to the distinctive long-hair, teddy bear look, youll only find that in Syrian hamsters. Testosterone and estrogen played key roles in determining how long males and female hamsters live. Syrian hamsters - the largest hamster, and the most common one found in pet shops. It is an inherent instinct the hamster still has. Your hamster will need a cage that provides enough room to explore, burrow, exercise, and enjoy. This could be so they avoid owls who mostly hunt at night or to avoid extreme temperatures of day and night. The average lifespan of teddy bear hamsters and the fancy hamsters is up to 2 to 3 years. 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. The average lifespan of the Syrian hamster is 2-3 years as pets. How long can a hamster go without eating or drinking? 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? These hamsters reach adulthood when they are about 4 months old. They need to live with other hamsters to be healthy, whereas Syrian hamsters have to live alone to become healthy. Teddy bear hamsters are originally from Syria, and that is why they are called Syrian. The average lifespan of the Syrian hamster is 2-3 years as pets. You can create a golden hamster maze, or jungle gym. Hamster pups rely on their mums until they are weaned at 3 weeks of age although you can start to introduce softened food that is moistened with water from around 10 days old. As, they can be noisy when burrowing and exercising. A teddy bear hamster that does not have access to a regular water supply, is unlikely to survive for longer than a week. Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. The only difference is that we dont know much information about the predcan bepositions that are passed on genetically for hamsters. Just like us humans, hamsters do not like to be roused from their sleep. They are solitary animals with an average lifespan of 2-3 years. Syrian hamsters are native to Syria (hence its name) and parts of the Middle East. Burrow in to Spot it and what to do so are undeniably cute make. Made Syrian hamsters are the largest breed, the common pet hamster species only live a few years up 2... 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