DOCSLIB.ORG

Those Cheeky Hamsters by Robert J

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Those Cheeky Hamsters by Robert J ANIMAL HEALTH Those Cheeky Hamsters By Robert J. Russell and Jim A. Stunkard Marie T. Sebrechts Handling a hamster frequently makes these cheeky animals more gentle pets. Hamsters often are pugna- Two species of hamsters cious animals; however, are rarely seen as pets: 1) the many of them make gentle European hamster, Cricetus pets when handled frequently. cricetus, light brown with a The hamster commonly seen black belly and white areas on as a pet is the Syrian or the face; and 2) the Chinese golden hamster, Mesocricetus hamster, Cricetulus griseus, auratus. They are a light characterized by a black dor- golden brown color. sal strip and a light brown to gray and white coat color. Hamsters are nocturnal, their gestation period is ex- Robert J. Russell is Director, Lab- oratory Animal Sciences Program, tremely short (14 days), and Program Resources Inc., Freder- they have extensive cheek ick, Md. Jim A. Stunkard is pouches to carry food and Director of the Bowie Animal move their babies from one Hospital, Bowie, Md. location to another. The ham- Hamsters 509 Hamsters are escape artists, so get a secure, solid cage. Clean, fresh water should be available contin- uously. Hard- wood chips, ground corncobs and shredded paper all make good bedding materials. \4'i.4-.l^. t^Wj-r. ^-^^..-^v 510 Rabbits and Other Small Animals ANIMAL HEALTH ster uses pigmented flank a day. Pelleted rodent feeds, organs (sebaceous glands), available commercially from located high on the thigh, for major feed suppliers, gener- territorial marking. ally are readily available and acceptable. Mixed seeds can Escape Artists be used as a treat. Clean, Hamsters are extremely adept fresh water should be avail- at escaping from their cages. able continuously. So it is extremely important Hamsters occasionally are that lids and doors have se- difñcult to breed successfully. cure latches and that cages Both hand mating and monog- are solidly constructed. amous mating systems can re- Generally, wire bar, plas- sult in fighting. tic, metal, or glass solid-bot- Cannibalism can be a se- tom shoe box cages are used, rious problem. The incidence and most have clip-on wire may be reduced by providing bar or solid metal tops. Many sufficient nesting materials, a people equip their cages with dark hiding place free from tunnels and exercise wheels; disturbance, prevention of however, exercise wheels are sudden noises, and separation often the cause of broken legs, of males from pregnant and especially when used in wire lactating females. Generally bar cages. the young should not be han- Hardwood chips, ground dled during the first week of corncobs, and shredded paper life. are acceptable as bedding ma- Hamsters frequently fight terials. Adult hamsters re- with each other. Severe bite quire a floor area of at least wounds, occasionally resulting 20 square inches with a cage in death, are often inflicted. height of 6". A female hamster To reduce fighting it is best to should have 150 square inches house animals together early of floor space. in life, at weaning rather than at several months of age. May Hibernate Environmental temperatures Diseases between 65° and 75° F gener- Hamsters generally are quite ally are acceptable. Hamsters healthy animals, and disease will hibernate at tempera- outbreaks usually are rare. tures below 48° F and also if The most important dis- the daily period of light is ease seen in hamsters has very short—less than 2 hours been given a variety of names: Hamsters 511 Marie T. Sebrechts Keeping hamsters healthy is relatively easy as long as good sanitation and good quality food are provided. hamster enteritis, wet tail, a red protrusion from the proliferative enteritis, ileal anus, may occur. High death hyperplasia. A specific etiol- rates often occur within 1 to 2 ogy has not been found. An days after the initial clinical as-yet-unidentified intracellu- signs. lar bacterium may play an All ages of hamsters can important role, although sev- be affected, but animals 3 to 8 eral different causes—bacte- weeks old are the most sus- ria, viruses, diet, poor sanita- ceptible. Intestinal lesions tion—may be involved. often appear as enlargements Affected animals go off or growths, hence the name feed, have rough hair coats, proliferative ileitis and ileal become debilitated, and have hyperplasia. a mild to severe watery diar- Systemic antibiotics (tet- rhea. Rectal prolapse, seen as racycline, gentamicin, tylosin, 512 Rabbits and Other Small Animals ANIMAL HEALTH neomycin) and supportive ally fatal toxic syndrome in therapy (oral administration hamsters. Broad-spectrum an- of whole milk, buttermilk) tibiotics such as tetracycline, may be beneficial, although chloramphenicol, and sulfon- response to treatment is often amides are usually safe. poor. Good sanitation and Demodex species (hair fol- good quality food help in pre- licle mange mites) are gener- vention. ally the only external para- Both Salmonella and Ba- sites found in the hamster. cillus piliformis cause disease Microscopic examination of in hamsters. The lesions are skin scrapings will reveal the found in the liver and intes- parasites. Skin lesions are not tinal tract. seen usually. Staphylococcus can cause Parasites abscesses and joint infections. Pinworms (Syphacia obvelata) Hamster cheek pouches can and tapeworms (Hymenolepis become infected due to foreign nana) are found occasionally bodies and trauma and may in hamsters, but clinical signs ulcerate through the skin. Lo- usually do not occur with cal therapy and systemic anti- either parasite. It is important biotics are generally effective. to remember that Hymenole- Several outbreaks of the pis nana can directly infest viral disease lymphocytic cho- man. Anal tape tests and fecal riomeningitis have occurred in examinations will demon- humans and been traced di- strate the ova of pinworms, rectly to spread by hamsters. and tapeworm ova may be This virus also occurs in found on routine fecal flota- guinea pigs, mice, nonhuman tion examinations. primates, dogs, and pigs. Hamster intestines gener- The disease in humans ally contain a number of dif- varies from an absence of clin- ferent protozoan parasites- ical signs to an influenza-like such as Giardia, Spironucleus, (flu) syndrome, although en- Trichomonas—^but these para- cephalitis occasionally occurs. sites usually do not cause clin- In hamsters clinical signs gen- ical disease in hamsters. erally are absent, and specific The use of several anti- testing is required for diagno- biotics (for example, penicil- sis. A number of commercial lin, streptomycin, lincomycin, diagnostic laboratories provide and erythromycin) has been this testing service. associated with an occasion- Hamsters 513 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Small Rodents
    All Creatures Animal Hospital Volume 1, Issue 1 Newsletter Date Basic Care of Small Rodents HAMSTERS Hamsters (Mesocricetus aura- sters were first introduced to less common than the Syrian Inside this issue: tus) are short tailed rodents the United States in 1938. hamster. The smaller, dark with large cheek pouches. The Since their domestication, sev- brown Chinese hamster (dwarf Housing 2 Syrian hamster’s (golden ham- eral color and hair coat varie- hamster), the Armenian (grey) ster) wild habitat extends ties of the Syrian hamster have hamster, and the European Nutrition 2 through the Middle East and arisen through selective breed- hamster are more often used in Southeastern Europe. In 1930, ing. The three basic groups research and seldom kept as Handling 3 a litter of eight baby hamsters that now exist include the com- pets. Hamsters live 1.5-2.5 was taken to Israel and raised mon “golden” hamster, colored years. Hamsters have pig- Veterinary Care 3 as research animals. Virtually short-haired “fancy” hamster, mented, hairless glands over all domesticated hamsters sold and long-haired “teddy bear” the hips. These should not be Teeth and Tears 3 in the pet trade and research are hamster. On occasion, one mistaken for tumors. descendents of three of the may encounter other species of Breeding 4 survivors of that litter. Ham- hamsters, but these are much GERBILS The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones abdomen, and darker back coat. or fight, are easy to keep clean unguiculatus) is a small rodent Other color varieties that exist and care for, and are relatively native to the desert regions of include black, white, and cinna- easy to handle.
    [Show full text]
  • Laboratory Animal Management: Rodents
    THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS This PDF is available at http://nap.edu/2119 SHARE Rodents (1996) DETAILS 180 pages | 6 x 9 | PAPERBACK ISBN 978-0-309-04936-8 | DOI 10.17226/2119 CONTRIBUTORS GET THIS BOOK Committee on Rodents, Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council FIND RELATED TITLES SUGGESTED CITATION National Research Council 1996. Rodents. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/2119. Visit the National Academies Press at NAP.edu and login or register to get: – Access to free PDF downloads of thousands of scientific reports – 10% off the price of print titles – Email or social media notifications of new titles related to your interests – Special offers and discounts Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the National Academies Press. (Request Permission) Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Rodents i Laboratory Animal Management Rodents Committee on Rodents Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources Commission on Life Sciences National Research Council NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS Washington, D.C.1996 Copyright National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Rodents ii National Academy Press 2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20418 NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.
    [Show full text]
  • Interspecific Attack on Mice and Frogs by Golden Hamsters (Mesocricetus Auratus)
    Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society 1977, Vol. 9 (3),186-188 Interspecific attack on mice and frogs by golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) PAUL E. VAN HEMEL Franklin and MarshaU College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17604 When tested for their reactions to mice, most male and female hamsters attacked with a pattern typical of hamster attacks on conspecifics_ Females attacked with shorter latency than did males, and the very few hamsters that consistently killed mice were all females. Latencies of attack decreased with repeated testing, even though most attacks were not followed by killing. When tested with frogs, hamsters typically avoided the frogs, although a few showed long-latency attacks and kills. A detailed description of the topography of interspecific attack by hamsters and other closely related groups would be useful as a beginning step in analysis of the function of interspecific attack. Psychologists investigating mouse-killing behavior in If hamsters attack mice and frogs, as rats do (Bandler rats have been primarily concerned with the causation & Moyer, 1970), then a comparison of behavioral and ontogeny of the behavior (polsky, 1975a). Studies phenotypes would be useful as a beginning step for that concentrate on such proximate determinants of functional analysis. Hamsters are known to attack behavior focus on issues quite different from those locusts (polsky, 1974, 1976) and may catch and raised by studies concerned with ultimate questions consume insects (Jacobs, 1945). There has even been about the function, or ecological significance, and the a report of spontaneous attacks by hamsters on mice evolution of behavior (Alcock, 1975). Some authors (Wnek & Leaf, 1973).
    [Show full text]
  • Hamsters by Catherine Love, DVM Updated 2021
    Hamsters By Catherine Love, DVM Updated 2021 Natural History Hamsters are a group of small rodents belonging to the same family as lemmings, voles, and new world rats and mice. There are at least 19 species of hamster, which vary from the large Syrian/golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), to the tiny dwarf hamster (Phodopus spp.). Syrian hamsters are the most popular pet hamsters, and also come in a long haired variety commonly known as “teddy bears”. There are numerous species of dwarf hamsters that may have multiple common names. The Djungarian dwarf (P. sungorus) is also sometimes called the “winter white dwarf” due to the fact that they may turn white during winter. Roborowski (Robo) dwarfs (P. roborovskii) are the smallest species of hamster, and also quite fast. The third type of dwarf hamster commonly kept is the Campbell’s dwarf (P. campbelli). Chinese or striped hamsters (Cricetulus griseus) can be distinguished from other species due to their comparatively long tail. The original pet and laboratory hamsters originated from a group of Syrian hamsters removed from wild burrows and bred in captivity. Wild hamsters are native to numerous countries in Europe and Asia. They spend most daylight hours underground to protect themselves from predators and are considered burrowing animals. While most wild hamster species are considered “Least Concern” by the IUCN, the European hamster is critically endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and historical trapping for fur. Characteristics and Behavior Both Syrian and dwarf hamsters are very commonly found in pet stores. With gentle, consistent handling, hamsters can be tamed into fairly docile and easy to handle pets, but it is not uncommon for them to be bitey and skittish.
    [Show full text]
  • Hamster Fact Sheet
    Hamster Fact Sheet Common Name: Hamster Scientific Name: Cricetinae Wild Status: Least Concern Habitat: Warm dry areas Country: Originally Syria, Belgium, Romania, Greece, & Northern China Shelter: Burrows & Tunnels Life Span: 1-3 years Size: 2-13 inches depending on species Details The hamster is a category of small rodent that contains over 20 species! They have become extremely popular as small household pets, and like laboratory mice, they have been helpful in scientific research. They are naturally nocturnal, so they enjoy playing at night, and they can actually learn their own names like a dog. Hamsters love exercised, and that's why a wheel makes for a great toy for them! Hamsters are actually omnivores and can eat insects, but tend to enjoy veggies and fruits. While their sense of smell is great, they have poor vision, so a hamster will generally follow its nose. Cool Facts • Hamsters have special pouches in their cheeks, and they use these to store lots of food! • Hamsters love to explore - a hamster ball is a great way to give your little buddy some exercise, and a chance to discover new places around your home! • The name Hamster comes from the German word "hamstern" which means "hoard". • Right after birth, newborn hamsters are blind until they are about 2 weeks old! Taxonomic Breakdown Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Cricetidae Subfamily: Cricetinae Conservation & Helping Most hamsters are of least concern on the endangered species list. However, the golden hamster found in Syria has the status of Vulnerable. Doing your part to promote the protection of animals and conservation of our planet can help keep all species of hamsters thriving! Download all our fact sheets, take our quizzes, and more, all in the Critter Squad Kids’ Zone! https://www.crittersquad.com/kids-zone/.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Djungarian Hamster (Phodopus Sungorus) K
    Effects of short photoperiods on puberty, growth and moult in the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) K. Hoffmann Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, D-8131 Andechs, West Germany Summary. Male Djungarian hamsters were raised from birth in either long (16L : 8D) or short (8L :16D) photoperiods. In 16L :8D, testes were large (about 400 mg) and showed full spermatogenesis from 31 days of age, the cauda epididymidis contained motile spermatozoa from 35 days and the accessory glands were large and reached their final size at about 60 days of age. In 8L :16D, testes remained small (about 15 mg) and undeveloped up to an age of about 130 days; they then developed to reach normal size and full spermatogenesis. In 16L :8D body weight increased steadily up to an age of about 160 days, but in 8L :16D body weight increase was slower and reached normal values, after a plateau at about 80 days, at about 190\p=n-\260days. Most animals in 8L:16D moulted into winter pelage, and then into the summer pelage; those in 16L :8D kept the summer pelage throughout. Introduction Many mammals show a marked annual cycle in gonadal size and activity as well as in other functions. In a number of species it has been demonstrated that this cycle can be manipulated by photoperiod (for reviews see Aschoff, 1955; Sadleir, 1969; Chapman, 1970; Farner, Lewis & Darden, 1973; Reiter, 1974). Variations ofsexual development, depending on season ofbirth, have also been reported (see Sadleir, 1969; Lincoln & MacKinnon, 1976). Photoperiodic effects in the golden hamster have been studied intensively (Hoffman & Reiter, 1965; Gaston & Menaker, 1967; Elliot, 1974).
    [Show full text]
  • 4.1. Der Goldhamster Mesocricetus Auratus Die Gattung Mesocricetus Umfasst Vier Arten M
    4. Genetische Variabilität und Populationsstruktur des Goldhamsters Mesoc- ricetus auratus (Waterhouse) 4.1. Der Goldhamster Mesocricetus auratus Die Gattung Mesocricetus umfasst vier Arten M. auratus, M. raddei, M. brandti und M. newtoni (Wilson und Reeder 1993; Duff und Lawson 2004). Wenige Studien be- schäftigen sich mit der Evolution der einzelnen Arten und deren verwandtschaftlichen Beziehungen (Hamar und Schutowa 1966; Hosey 1982; Niethammer 1982). Neue Erkenntnisse dazu wurden bereits im Kapitel über die Systematik der Cricetinae dis- kutiert. Die mit Abstand bekannteste Hamsterart ist der Goldhamster M. auratus (Abb. 1). Seine Popularität verdankt er seiner guten Eignung als Labortier aber auch seiner Attraktivität als Heimtier. Kurze Generationszeiten und anspruchslose Haltung mach- ten ihn zu einem wichtigen Versuchstier für die biologische und medizinische For- schung (Clark 1987). Abb. 1 Goldhamster (Foto: K. Neumann) Besondere Bedeutung erlangte der Goldhamster für die Chronobiologie (Lowrey et al. 2000), für die er als Modelltier gilt. Bemerkenswert ist auch die Historie der Labor- population des Goldhamsters. Die gesamte Laborpopulation geht auf drei Nach- 99 kommen eines Weibchens zurück, das 1930 in der der Nähe von Aleppo/Syrien ge- fangen wurde (Aharoni 1932, Gattermann 2000). Die Gefangenschaftspopulation beträgt inzwischen mehrere Millionen Tiere. Kein anderes Säugetier erzielte einen solchen Reproduktionserfolg ausgehend von einem so kleinen Genpool. Deshalb wird der Goldhamster mitunter als Musterbeispiel für die erfolgreiche Etablierung ei- ner stabilen Population trotz hoher genetischer Inzucht angeführt (u.a. Frankham et al. 2000). Der geringe genetische Polymorphiegrad der Laborhamster (McGuire et al. 1985; Watkins et al. 1990) schränkte allerdings deren Nutzung für molekulargeneti- sche Untersuchungen wie Genom-Sequenzierungen oder Kartierungs-Experimente interessanter Loci entscheidend ein (Okuizumi et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Rodent Biology and Management
    Rodent Biology and Management Abstracts of papers presented at the International Conference on Rodent Biology and Management, held at Beijing, China, 5-9 October 1998 Editors: Zhi-Bin Zhang, Lyn Hinds, Grant Singleton and Zu-Wang Wang Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Canberra 1999 The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) was established in June 1982 by an Act of the Australian Parliament. Its mandate is to help identify agricultural problems in developing countries and to commission collaborative research between Austral­ ian and developing country researchers in fields where Australia has a special research compe­ tence. Where trade names are used this constitutes neither endorsement of nor discrimination against any product by the Centre. ACIAR TECHNICAL REPORTS SERIES This series of publications contains technical information resulting from ACIAR-supported programs, projects, and workshops (for which proceedings are not being published), reports on Centre-supported fact-finding studies, or reports on other useful topics resulting from ACIAR activities. Publications in the series are distributed internationally to a selected audience. © Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, GPO Box 1571. Canberra, ACT 2601. Email: [email protected] Home page: http://www.aciar.gov.au Zhi-Bin Zhang, Hinds, L., Singleton, G. and Zu-Wang Wang. ed. 1999. Rodent biology and management. Abstracts of papers presented at the International Conference on Rodent Biology and Management held
    [Show full text]
  • Use of the Syrian Hamster As a New Model of Ebola Virus Disease and Other Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
    Viruses 2012, 4, 3754-3784; doi:10.3390/v4123754 OPEN ACCESS viruses ISSN 1999-4915 www.mdpi.com/journal/viruses Review Use of the Syrian Hamster as a New Model of Ebola Virus Disease and Other Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Victoria Wahl-Jensen 1,†,*, Laura Bollinger 1,†, David Safronetz 2, Fabian de Kok-Mercado 2, Dana P. Scott 2 and Hideki Ebihara 2 1 Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Interagency Biodefense Campus, B-8200 Research Plaza, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA; E-Mail: [email protected] 2 Integrated Research Facility at Rocky Mountain Labs, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 903 South 4th Street, Hamilton, Montana 59840, USA; E-Mails: [email protected] (D.S.); [email protected] (F.d.K.-M.); [email protected] (D.P.S.); [email protected] (H.E.) † These authors contributed equally to this work. * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-301-631-7248; Fax: +1-301-631-7389. Received: 14 November 2012; in revised form: 10 December 2012 / Accepted: 12 December 2012 / Published: 14 December 2012 Abstract: Historically, mice and guinea pigs have been the rodent models of choice for therapeutic and prophylactic countermeasure testing against Ebola virus disease (EVD). Recently, hamsters have emerged as a novel animal model for the in vivo study of EVD. In this review, we discuss the history of the hamster as a research laboratory animal, as well as current benefits and challenges of this model.
    [Show full text]
  • Foraging Behavior of Golden Hamsters (Mesocricetus Auratus) in the Wild
    J Ethol DOI 10.1007/s10164-010-0255-8 ARTICLE Foraging behavior of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) in the wild S. C. Larimer • P. Fritzsche • Z. Song • J. Johnston • K. Neumann • R. Gattermann • M. E. McPhee • R. E. Johnston Received: 15 August 2010 / Accepted: 5 December 2010 Ó Japan Ethological Society and Springer 2010 Abstract Foraging theory posits that animals should by a factor of 6–8 times over the course of 16 days by maximize energy gains while minimizing risks, the largest increasing both the number of trips and the length of each of which is usually predation. For small burrowing mam- trip. These results show that hamsters spend little time out mals the best measure of risk avoidance may be the time of the burrow, thus minimizing risk, but they also show that spent in the burrow, although this measure is rarely time spent out of the burrow is related to the energy needs examined. During the spring of 2005 and 2006 we recorded of the hamsters; lactating females with high energy needs the foraging behavior of female golden hamsters in their exposed themselves to much greater risk than did non- natural habitat in southern Turkey. Data were collected lactating females. with a data logger and by direct observations. Female golden hamsters averaged 64 min per day above ground in Keywords Foraging Á Hoarding Á Time budget analysis Á a series of foraging trips with a mean duration of 5.5 min. Predator avoidance Á Energy allocation Á Lactation Two nursing females increased their time out of the burrow Introduction R.
    [Show full text]
  • Maternal Behaviour on Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus Auratus )
    LUCRĂRI ŞTIINłIFICE MEDICINĂ VETERINARĂ VOL. XLIII (2), 2010 TIMIŞOARA MATERNAL BEHAVIOUR ON GOLDEN HAMSTER (MESOCRICETUS AURATUS ) ILEANA NICHITA 1, MONICA ŞEREŞ 1, C. COMAN 2 1Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Timisoara, 300645, Calea Aradului No. 119, Timisoara, Romania 2NIRDMI Cantacuzino E-mail: [email protected] Summary In ten female golden hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus ), rearing first litters, the maternal activities were study during the observation period (21 days from parturition) divided into two stages: (2 – 10 days and 11 – 21 days). The following females activities were recorded: the frequency of pup grooming (both body and anogenital licking were included), frequency of pup nursing (crouched arch posture over pups), frequency of bringing of food into the nest and frequency of the nest building activity (bringing wood shaving for bedding into the nest and manipulation of bedding material inside the nest. The female under this study displayed a considerable maternal care in the first rearing stage when the pups are very vulnerably and less care in the last rearing stage when the time of weaning is nearest Female displayed all the patterns of direct care of young including nursing and pups grooming. Key words: gold hamster, maternal care The high maternal investment in young characterized the reproduction in mammals (1). In small rodents with altricial pups, immediately upon appearance of the first born, parturient female rodents display a full complement of maternal behaviors, such as pup retrieval, grooming and crouching over the pups. (3). In some rodent species the timidity prevents the virgin female from being a good mother and this is one of the facts for pups killing (2, 5).
    [Show full text]
  • General Information on Hamsters
    For Public Health Personnel General Information on Hamsters The most common type of pet hamster is the Golden or Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), which came from Syria in the mid-19th century. Other less common breeds of hamster include the Chinese Hamster (Cricetulus griseus), and the European or Black-Bellied Hamster (Cricetus cricetus). A Golden Hamster has an average life span of 18-24 months. Hamsters are naturally omnivorous and nocturnal. In 1996, it was estimated that there were 1.9 million pet hamsters in the USA. In 2001, it was estimated that there were less than 900 000. In general, hamsters are not a high-risk pet in terms of the potential for zoonotic disease transmission. However, it is still important to be aware of the diseases they can carry and how to keep both a hamster and its owner as healthy and happy as possible. Obtaining a Hamster Hamsters are often bred in large central facilities and transported from there to various distribution centres and pet stores for sale to the public. Contact with a large number of other animals, and stress during transportation and while in a pet store, can lead to an increased risk of disease transmission and illness in store-bought hamsters. Hamster Management Hamsters have specific dietary and environmental requirements to keep them healthy. Owners should be referred to their veterinarian or other experienced hamster owners for specific details on hamster husbandry, as well as how to handle a hamster appropriately in order to reduce the risk of biting. Hamster Bites All hamsters may bite.
    [Show full text]