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Hamsters
These animals now come in many varieties,
supposedly all from one litter from Syria a long time ago.
A wonderful first pet, they are very nocturnal, and obsessive
about their exercise.
Information
| Care | Caging
| Links | References
Information
| Size: |
About five inches. |
| Food: |
Hamster food mixture. Seeds,
raisins, carrots and apples as treats. Fresh water
is essential as with all animals. |
| LifeSpan: |
2-3 Years, lucky ones can make
it to 4. |
| Habits: |
Hamsters are the rodent most likely
to bite. They sleep during the day and if they have
a squeaky wheel will keep you awake all night.
They are relatively quiet, unlike Guinea Pigs they don't
squeak all the time. Within sixteen days of becoming
pregnant a female hamster gives birth. |
Care
Commercial seed mix, or pelleted food makes
a good staple. And don't forget water,
a gravity operated water bottle works best. Interaction
is key if you want a hamster you can pick up and play with,
rather than a biting monster. All rodents
chew constantly and should be given things to chew on.
Hardwood sticks work well.
Caging
A glass bottomed aquarium with a sturdy screen
cover with snap holders makes a fine habitat. Make sure the
cover is secure, as they are escape artists. A wire cage is
okay, but avoid those with wire floors as it is bad for rodent
paws. Bedding can be Pine shavings, recycled paper, or other
commercial product. Avoid Cedar shavings as they are mildly
toxic to rodents.
Other items include a water bottle, heavy
plastic or ceramic dish, and at least one hiding place. The
hiding place could be made out of wood, plastic or straw,
but be aware, whatever it is it will be chewed. Last item
is a wheel, because many rodents will spend hours running
in place. A plastic wheel is better than a metal wheel, because
if your pet slips he could break a limb by it falling between
the slats of a metal wheel.
Another item your rodent will probably enjoy
is a plastic free ball. Those are the running balls with air
slats for them to run around your house it. Just keep them
away from stairs, and don't leave them in there too long.
Links
http://www.hamsterhouse.com/
-- Hamster House
http://www.animalnetwork.com/.../default.asp
-- Hamster profile
References
Hanna, Jack w/ Hester Mundis. Jack Hanna's
Ultimate Guide to Pets. 1996.
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