They typically weigh around 120 to 125 grams when fully grown. Wild teddy bear hamster lifespan ranges from 1 2 years on average. Again, if you are looking to save money, then you could get your kids to make their own versions using toilet roll holders and empty boxes. However, they also will become submissive following a social defeat by another hamster as a form of learned helplessness. They have a stout, stocky body with little tails that are barely visible underneath their fur. The average lifespan of the Syrian hamster is 2-3 years as pets. Hamsters usually live for up to two years, although some may live for longer. 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 . They have poor eyesight as they are both nearsighted and colorblind. Teddy bear is a term used to describe a Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) with long hair. A teddy bear hamsters testicles are often very prominent, so try and observe them whilst they are asleep on their backs or grooming themselves in this area. Domestic hamsters do not require sand baths because they are not exposed to the elements of the wild. The average lifespan for a teddy bear hamster is two to three years. The ultimate responsibility lies with the adult, not the child. Occasional treats from the pet store/vet. The quality of your hamsters diet plays a role in their health and longevity. Children learn what they are taught. As well as what this tiny pet can bring to you and your familys lives. Teddy bear hamsters have the most wonderful personalities and temperament. Responsible hamster parents know that this little animal is totally dependent upon them. A Data-Backed Answer, How To Tame A Hamster: 10 Safe And Proven Tips. Since it is pretty gentle and enjoys being held, it is sometimes called teddy bear. 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. The average lifespan of teddy bear hamsters, which in actuality is just another name for the Syrian hamster or golden hamsters, is two to three years. When you use a well balanced store-bought food, that should make up 90 percent of your pets diet. Their burrows also serve as useful protection from predators because they are built about 1 meter underground. So before taking a hamster home, its important to have their cage set up beforehand. Rather than just guessing, here are some key symptoms to tell if your fancy bear hamster is pregnant. Therefore tunnels, tubes and bridges are great for them to run around in and on. Rodentia Family Cricetidae Genus Mesocricetus SPECIES Mesocricetus auratus Population size Unknown Life Span 2-4 yrs Top speed 6 km/h Weight 100-125 g Length 13-18 cm The golden hamster or Syrian hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus ) is a rodent belonging to the hamster subfamily, Cricetinae. Selegiline is used to treat Parkinsons disease. They are solitary animals with an average lifespan of 2-3 years. Syrians will either be one color (known as self) or have a crescent shape on their cheek and a light belly (known as agouti.). Female hamsters are thought to be more territorial, but male teddy bear hamsters are also very territorial. 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? Their coats might be of solid colour or a combination of colours, and bellies are mostly white. Wake him with your voice, not your fingers! 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. And, a great way to show off your knowledge of teddy bear hamster facts. There are other individuals of the species who do have different colors, ranging from black to white to spotted and some even have long fine fur that requires special maintenance. Best Cages for 2 (Or More!) How Long Do Teddy Bear Hamsters Live? During estrous periods, female hamsters will go into heat once about every 4 days. Teddy bear hamsters are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and are active at night. When it comes to the distinctive long-hair, teddy bear look, youll only find that in Syrian hamsters. After two weeks, the hamster will begin to be able to see, can walk on its own, and has a fully formed coat. This can mean that a bedroom isnt the best place for their cage, though! Syrian hamsters are the most common pet hamster. 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.) If you observe your hamster regularly you may notice that her secretions start to change, becoming thicker and more consistent, unlike the thin one during her regular cycle. Disturbing your hamster during daylight hours can cause extra stress. I see a living being. While in this period, they release a number of hormones that lower the males aggression and make them more receptive to mating. 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. Chewing is a natural behavior so providing them with safe means to do what comes naturally keeps them happy. Every time I get close to the cage, he squeaks up a storm. Females are more prone to bite, and this may be because they are more territorial. Bigger cages allow you to add more fun things for your hamster to burrow in, climb over, and chew on, keeping your hamster happy. Hamsters are delicate creatures and easily injured. According to the Journal of Zoology (Notes on the current distribution and the ecology of wild golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus,) the main distribution area of wild Syrian hamsters is in Syrias Aleppo plateau. 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. What Do Teddy Bear Hamsters Like To Play With? So older, responsible kids can handle them without much of a problem. Hamster Wet Tail How To Spot It And What To Do Hamsters Hibernate? A good quality pellet food designed for hamsters. 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. But yeah it seems Syrians live a little longer than Dwarves, I'm guessing because of their . Teddy hamsters are a breed of Syrian hamster. This will minimise stress and anxiety and decrease the risk of fingers being bitten. How long do Syrian hamsters live? Its hilarious, he scrunches up his little face and sometimes screams at me. Getting our Syrian hamster Oscar was not a decision we took lightly. Male hamsters develop quicker than females and attain sexual maturity between 4 and 6 weeks. They are actually sleep walking/talking, and you want to wake them so they dont hurt themselves. The most common pet hamster, the Syrian hamster, also known as the teddy bear hamster or golden hamster, usually grows to about 6 inches (15.24 cm) long. Amenities in some of the more extravagant options include multi-levels, tubes, wheels, and houses. In the event that you try to handle any hamster during daylight hours, it will be more likely to bite you out of stress. They should only be handled by children with adult supervision. ISSN: 2639-1538 (online), teddy bear hamster lifespan and characteristics, Teddy Bear Hamster: Lifespan And Characteristics. There are steps you can take to promote health and vitality for your hamster. Citrus (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, etc. I was surprised that he snuggled right up to me when I was settling him from his destroyed box to his new home! Make sure you teach your children how to properly look after and handle a hamster, and supervise their petting sessions. These hamsters are the smallest among domestic hamsters. Sometimes you may come across a Syrian that have wavy or curly hair, and in this case, they are known as a Rex. Their coat patterns are diverse and can range from no pattern to a hamster with a calico/tortoiseshell look. The differences are stunning. Guinea Pigs: Ranked and Reviewed, How Many Mice Are In My House? And interestingly, females usually grow bigger than males. I LOVED HIM SO MUCH. Whether you choose plastic or glass, these should be filled up daily and are inexpensive, costing around $6-$12. Some of these hamster colors include cinnamon, gray, yellow, black, and chocolate. Small cages with no enrichment can lead to stress, unhappiness, and sickness. After this point, they must be separated and kept alone. 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. Whats your favorite thing about this little pet? Breeding & Reproduction Guide. 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. Tubes satisfy the burrowing behavior in hamsters. They even will create specialized rooms meant for sleeping, raising their young, using the bathroom, and hoarding food. I feel a soul. A.D. Williams. 2022 Science Trends LLC. There are several different breeds and varieties of hamster, varying in size and temperament. Teddy bear hamsters are territorial and will fight with any cage-mates, sometimes to the death. Most young children are not responsible enough to look after a hamster and it will be neglected. Djungarian/Winter White/Siberian Dwarf; Campbell's Dwarf; Chinese Dwarf With all of this incredible knowledge about the Syrian hamster lifespan, lets get a better idea of how they develop from tiny babies to fully grown adults. This is why you should never go away and leave your hamster unattended for prolonged periods of time and make sure that their water bottle is always replaced with clean, fresh water. As, they can be noisy when burrowing and exercising. Below we explain how to tame your teddy bear hamster. Syrian hamsters are genetically more likely to get wet tail disease, which has a low survival rate. Hes no longer with us and will be VERRRRY MISSED. If you are thinking of getting a teddy bear hamster for your next pet, then there are number of things you should know. The Florida International Universitys Director of Laboratory Animal Research states in an article that male hamsters are not only easier to handle but are more friendly. The average lifespan of a teddy bear hamster is about 2-3 years in captivity, and less time in the wild. You may, however, take certain precautions to ensure that you are providing your hamster with the best possible life. We are a team of prolific hamster fans and pet enthusiasts, combing the web for up-to-date, fact-checked information on hamster breeds, care, and products. Home teddy bear hamster lifespan and characteristics. Try to avoid giving them too much fresh fruit, as these are often high in natural sugar content. I have a hamster. So, although you may think that a teddy bear hamster is a breed in its own right, these furry friends are in fact Syrian hamsters in disguise. For females the gap between the two is hardly noticeable and the area around them will be bald. So, they can be an ideal first pet for older, responsible children. Syrian Hamster Lifespan: How Long Do Syrian Hamsters Live? When selecting a hamster from a pet store or a breeder, its important to find out if it has been adequately handled. Hamsters are small and adorable creatures, making them perfect pets for those who live in confined spaces. Hamsters are crepuscular, which means they sleep during the day and are usually most active during dawn and dusk. Such patterns include roan, banded, dominant spot, or tortoiseshell. This native aggression makes mating Syrian hamsters sometimes difficult. I put clothes over his cage on 3 sides and the top, so he can only see out in front of his cage. Make sure to tell us all about your experiences in the comments below! Adults should always be fully involved in the caste of hamsters and other small animals. They reach about 5-7 inches in length as adults and weigh around 4 ounces (about 1/4th of a pound). Obviously, we want to care for our hamsters as best we can, so providing them with a large space to burrow and play and spending time cuddling them allows you to better understand their behaviors. How long can a hamster go without eating or drinking? It appears that all existing laboratory and pet Syrian hamster are descendantsof a brother-sister pair that were captured in Syria in 1930. 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. Characteristics [ edit] Skull of a Golden hamster The size of adult animals is around 6.3 in (16 cm) long, with a lifespan of 2-3 years. These bags cost around $18. If your child wants a pet it can interact with, a Syrian hamster or teddy bear hamster is perfect. For the first time, it has been shown to extend animals average and maximum lifespans in a reproducible way. Daily interaction with a new hamster is a must. Dwarf hamsters live for 3 years normally, so it has a longer expected lifespan than teddy bear hamsters. Cleaning the cage will prevent stress for the hamster while also protecting against diseases like wet tail. Syrian hamsters typically have short round bodies, stocky legs and feet, and have short silky golden brown fur. 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. READY FOR NEW HOMES GEORGOUS HANDTAME HAMSTER PUPS. Roborovski Dwarf - much smaller than the Syrian, actually the tiniest of all the Dwarf types - only 2 inches/5 cm ! Also called Teddy-bear hamsters (hence my little Teddy's name). A basic hamster carrier costs around $10-$12 (although you can make your own versions with boxes you already have around the house). We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. So, try not to surprise your hamster when you want to handle him. 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. Try not to disturb the nest and when providing food and water, do so as quietly as possible. What Can Be Controlled? My teddy bear hamster, Mr. Cakes, gives me such a dirty look when I wake him up. This is true of both wild and domesticated hamsters. Hamsters are excellent diggers and are known to create rather elaborate underground burrows with multiple entrances and exits. Thats all I need. Janet Evanovitch. One of the more notable physical features of Syrian hamsters is their long and sharp incisor teeth. Providing you get your hamster used to being handled from a very young age, it will love being held by you. Well, the answer varies quite a lot! It was found that males live an average of 577 days. Social: While Syrian hamsters are sociable with humans, they are solitary animals and should live alone. Accessories will also require extra room within the cage. After being bred in Jerusalem, members of the subsequent breeding colony were exported to the US where they becamepopular house pets. Although your Syrian hamster may store food in its cheeks, a simple food dish is not expensive, generally costing around $5. In fact, black bear hamsters also exist, and are another name for Syrian hamsters with black fur. They also became popular as pets in the U.K. and between the years of 2011-2017, it is estimated that over 3 million hamsters were owned. Hamster personalities could be different regardless of sex. 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