Because of their adorable appearance and restless nature, hamsters tend to attract attention and arouse a lot of curiosity, especially among the little ones. However, it is important to inform ourselves well if we are evaluating the possession of this precious animal, only in this way can we learn to recognize its needs, behavior and special characteristics.
1. There are many species of hamsters
Although hamsters may seem very similar at first glance, there are up to 24 different species. Currently, the most popular pets are:
- Golden Hamster
- Chinese Hamster
- Russian Hamster
- Roborowskii Hamster
Knowing the particularities of each species is essential to know how to provide appropriate care. In addition to the information you can find on our site, we advise you to consult a veterinarian specialized in exotic animals or small mammals to clarify any possible doubts and better inform you about the care and the specific needs of each type of hamster.
two. Hamsters are very prone to stress
In the wild, hamsters are easy prey for many predators, for this reason they remain constantly alert and are able to react quickly in the face of any danger. Therefore, these small rodents are especially prone to stress and require a very positive environment to feel comfortable and safe.
Stress in hamsters has many possible causes, such as a sedentary lifestyle, poor mental stimulation, insufficient hygiene in their cage, nutritional deficiencies and some pathologies that cause pain or alter their senses. For this reason, it is very important to be aware of the symptoms of stress in hamsters and go quickly to a veterinarian when recognizing any alteration in the behavior or appearance of your pet.
3. They have a very short life expectancy
Although the longevity of a hamster varies according to its breed, the conditions of its environment and the care provided by its guardian, the truth is that these small rodents usually have a short life expectancy. In general, it is estimated that a hamster can live between two and four years, although some individuals can reach five or six years of age.
This is a very important aspect to take into account before adopting a hamster as a pet, especially when you have asked us to child. Although these rodents usually require simpler care in relation to their he alth and well-being, they will not be able to accompany us for as long as a cat or a dog, for example.
Therefore, before adopting a hamster for a child, it is essential to explain to them beforehand that all animals have their own life cycle and that hamsters can only be with us for a few years. On our site you will also discover a very special article on how to explain to a child the death of their pet written by our psychologist.
4. Females may eat hatchlings they deem weak
Animal cannibalism has been the subject of numerous scientific investigations and, even today, it is not possible to say with complete certainty what the exact causes of this behavior observed in various species are. In hamsters, this phenomenon arouses special curiosity and concern, but in general, we can say that it is due to the fact that the parent considers them weak or unable to survive
However, there are also other possible causes for this behaviour, such as stress of feeding and rearing very large litters, nutritional deficiencies, the presence of males in the cage, the lack of space or the fact that a young is born too far from the nest.
If you want to make sure that all the little hamsters survive, we recommend reading our article "how to prevent the female from eating her young". Also, if you have had to separate one of the babies from the litter to prevent its parent from eating it, we will teach you the essential care for a baby hamster.
5. We can tell the sex of a hamster by looking at its tail
We can hardly differentiate a male hamster from a female just by looking at her appearance, but knowing the sex of your rodent is easier than you think. The main method is to observe the rodent's perianal area, which is just below its tail, and exert gentle pressure to separate the hair from the skin. In males, this region is more protruding than in females, thanks to the presence of the testicles, we also observe that the distance between the anus and the genital papilla (penis) is greater. However, we can also use the umbilical gland to help determine the sex of our hamsters. Males have a more visible "navel" than females.
However, it is ideal to wait until the hamster reaches sexual maturityto be able to determine its sex with certainty. In general, these small rodents mature and become sexually active very quickly. After 30 to 50 days after their birth, the hamsters will be ready to mate and generate their own offspring. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of the reproductive control of our hamsters. To avoid unwanted litters, it is best to keep males and females in separate cages.
6. His teeth never stop growing
The teeth of hamsters, just like those of other rodents, never stop growing, so the animal needs to wear them down constantly to maintain an optimal and symmetrical length. In the wild, hamsters would look for small pieces of tree trunks or branches to maintain their teeth. However, in the case of domestic hamsters, it is the guardians who must be in charge of offering these elements to their pets.
It is generally recommended to offer organic branches of fruit trees to domestic rodents, but it is best to consult your veterinarian. confidence in how to adequately supply this need in your hamster. It is also very important to make sure about the organic origin of the branches that you offer to your pet, since pesticides can poison their body. Discover the main care of the hamster's teeth.
7. Hamsters like a varied diet
The care and feeding of the hamster are essential aspects in their upbringing, which allow us to strengthen their immune system, prevent diseases and provide them with an optimal quality of life. Hamsters are omnivorous animals that enjoy receiving a varied and balanced diet that fully meets their nutritional needs.
Therefore, although there are commercial feed for hamsters that facilitate the work of providing nutrients in a balanced way, it is very interesting and highly beneficial include fresh, natural and organic foods in your rodent's diet, such as cereals, legumes, nuts, fruits and vegetables that are beneficial for their he alth. Of course, we will keep the forbidden foods for hamsters out of their diet.
8. They are crepuscular animals
Although it varies slightly depending on the species, most domestic hamsters are nocturnal or crepuscular, for this reason, it is not uncommon to observe that they are especially active at dusk, during the night or in the morning. If we look closely, hamsters have especially large eyes, dominated by rods, photoreceptor cells responsible for vision when there is little light in the environment.
So avoid disturbing them during the day, when they are sleeping soundly, and spend more time with them in the evening or early morning, when they are most active.
9. They love to explore
Hamsters are particularly curious animals and love to dig and sniff out the environment in which they live. They mainly use the mustache to detect the different elements that we introduce in their space and collect information. Also, let's not forget that these rodents often dig burrows in the wild, which is why you should never miss tunnels and nests in your space.
10. They are very intelligent
Like many other rodents, hamsters are particularly intelligent animals. In addition to enjoying very well-developed senses, such as smell and hearing (especially important for social communication), hamsters are capable of learning tricks and exercises in a simple way, using positive reinforcement as a reward for their actions, something that allows them to easily associate certain events. The clicker for dogs, for example, can be a good tool to use during learning.
