The tail of Teddy Bear hamsters may be hidden behind their long hair. Wake him with your voice, not your fingers! You may, however, take certain precautions to ensure that you are providing your hamster with the best possible life. Breeding & Reproduction Guide. Maintaining a clean cage may be the most important thing to prevent potentially fatal diseases, like wet tail. Some of these factors are genetic that cant be controlled or avoided. 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. But do they make good pets? What Do Teddy Bear Hamsters Like To Play With? How Long Do Syrian (Teddy Bear) Hamsters Live? Choose one with plenty of burrowing space, running space, and lots of room for extra hamster accessories. On our drive home, he was busy in the little cardboard carrier that he was traveling in. Selegiline is used to treat Parkinsons disease. The lifespan is shorter for wild hamsters. I see a friend. 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. Most teddy bear hamsters are pregnant for around 16 days, which is short in comparison to a Roborovski, whose gestation period on average is 22-30 days.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'hamsterguru_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hamsterguru_com-medrectangle-4-0'); It is important during their pregnancy that that you start to provide your hamster with some additional care. Is it getting any better? You can expect to pay a little bit more for quality hamsters from a breeder compared to those in pet stores. Such patterns include roan, banded, dominant spot, or tortoiseshell. The average lifespan of teddy bear hamsters and the fancy hamsters is up to 2 to 3 years. Also called Teddy-bear hamsters (hence my little Teddy's name). Hamsters actually have a relatively complex system of endocrine signaling that is responsible for displays of social dominance and submission. Its known as heterochromia one eye is black, and the other is red. And while they are generally quiet pets, their nighttime activity might keep you awake if you have their enclosure in your bedroom. Djungarian/Winter White/Siberian Dwarf; Campbell's Dwarf; Chinese Dwarf The potential hamster parent will be required to handle it to tame it until it feels comfortable and develops a bond. Otherwise known as a Syrian, golden or fancy bear, teddy bear hamsters are incredibly cute and cuddly, which probably accounts for their popularity as a breed. Considering that hamsters are such small animals, they create a lot of mess. There are several things that you can do to prevent and dissuade this behavior. Most older, responsible children can definitely be taught to handle hamsters with patience, and are very willing to learn about correct hamster care. Put some treats throughout and watch your hamster explore! Individual hamsters can live a short or long life depending on their lifestyle, diet and care. I have a hamster. When a Syrian hamster reaches the age of 12 weeks (3 months old), it is considered fully mature. This means, each one is truly unique to its little family! Hamster Mites Demodex, Sarcoptic Mange & Acariasis Skin. Females are more prone to bite, and this may be because they are more territorial. Teddy bear hamsters can make excellent companions, and you want to know how much time you will have with your special little friend. Teddy bear hamsters can make excellent companions, and you want to know how much time you will have with your special little friend. When selecting a hamster from a pet store or a breeder, its important to find out if it has been adequately handled. Hamsters should be fed a diet that mimics what they would naturally eat in the wild. 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. You can create a golden hamster maze, or jungle gym. I see a living being. How Long Do Teddy Bear Hamsters Live? This does not mean that your pet hamster cant live longer because Syrian hamsters can live so long as 4 years and possibly more. The first British hamster club followed shortly after, in 1945! There are several different species of hamsters, but the most common "Hamsters are small, rodent-like mammals that belong to the subfamily Cricetinae. As far as pets go, Syrian hamsters are among the easiest hamsters to tame. A basic hamster carrier costs around $10-$12 (although you can make your own versions with boxes you already have around the house). Hamsters usually live for up to two years, although some may live for longer. A baby hamster is called a pup. It is pink, with no fur, and blind at birth. Hamsters are one of the cutest rodents that many of us are happy to keep as a pet. If you must get a hamster for your child, always be fully prepared to monitor what the child does and intervene when necessary. Interestingly, Syrian hamsters were observed to be crepuscular; researchers had always thought they were nocturnal. So, just keep one by itself. Most young children are not responsible enough to look after a hamster and it will be neglected. Its a good opportunity for the kids to learn responsibility and love for animals. But a hamsters friendliness also depends on their gender, how tame they are, and whether or not theyre being kept on their own. To better understand where Syrian (Teddy Bear) hamsters fit in with domestic/pet hamster species, lets identify the common pet hamster species. Sometimes, hamsters in the wild have been found to occupy the abandoned burrows of other burrowing species. He states that male hamsters are friendlier and easier to handle. Why does he do that though? Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do Chinchillas Live? This is because they are having their estrus cycle, in which they release a thin, whitish discharge and a scent that attracts male hamsters when it is time to mate. All hamsters like to retreat to a safe place and depending on the type of material hamster hideouts are made from they can priced anywhere between $5-$12. Teddy bear hamsters are territorial and will fight with any cage-mates, sometimes to the death. Theres no mistaking a Teddy Bear hamster because its hair may look a bit unruly and in need of a good combing. Although your Syrian hamster may store food in its cheeks, a simple food dish is not expensive, generally costing around $5. 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. George Robert Waterhouse named and presented this hamster to the London Zoological Society as a new species. We will look at what they need to stay safe, happy and handleable. I had tears streaming down my face because I couldnt stop laughing! Fortunately, you do have a lot of control over these factors. The teddy bear hamster is a great choice for a first time pet, because their care and maintenance is really simple! Below we explain how to tame your teddy bear hamster. Holding them for the very first time may feel a little daunting. Hamster cages range from $20-$100 although if you have the time and D.I.Y know-how, check out our step by step guide on how to make a hamster bin cage. Most teddy bear hamsters today originate from that first captive line. Teddy bear hamsters have an average lifespan of 2-3 years as a pet. How Many Babies Do Hamsters Have In A Litter? They are actually sleep walking/talking, and you want to wake them so they dont hurt themselves. They have a stout, stocky body with little tails that are barely visible underneath their fur. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Wondering how long do teddy bear hamsters live? When it comes to the distinctive long-hair, teddy bear look, youll only find that in Syrian hamsters. Weve had hamsters for years. Below we have come up with a list of 15 most commonly asked questions and facts, which we hope will inform and delight you. Best Cages for 2 (Or More!) Most Dwarf hamsters . Teddy hamsters are a breed of Syrian hamster. Just like us humans, hamsters do not like to be roused from their sleep. Initial research on hamsters determined that the mammalian circadian rhythm is modulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the brain. We will also can because more details about the teddy bear hamsters, including whether they like to live together or in solitary. The average lifespan for a teddy bear hamster is two to three years. Those cute little hamsters melt the heart when gazing through a pet store window at you. Providing you get your hamster used to being handled from a very young age, it will love being held by you. After their domestication and breeding in the Middle East by biologists working in Jerusalem, Syrian hamsters were imported to the United States. In truth, the earliest hamsters originated in Syria, hence the name, but they have since spread to Greece, Belgium, and northern China. Lilly. Their fast reproduction cycles and ease of raising have also made Syrian hamsters ideal model organisms to use in the lab. My teddy bear hamster HAMMY .has a hissy fit when I put him back in his cage after letting him run around in his ball and play penn he is like a child throwing a tantrum.but he is very smart and always seems to amaze me .just the other day he was sitting on my lap watching tv with me I was eating popcorn he decided to crawl up my arm and to the bowl of popcorn and help him self than back on my lap to eat the popcorn .he also has a little dog freind whom him and her have a great relationship they play tag when hammy is in the ball he will chase after the dog than the dog will chase after him .they also hang out together when the dog is sleeping he will sit in hiss ball next to her .I had no idea how smart and lovable teddys can be. As teddy bear hamsters can grow to around 5-7 inches, you need to have a cage large enough for it to live and scamper around in. Syrian hamsters tend to form a strong bond with their owners, mainly because they are solitary pets and rely on us for entertainment. Chinese hamsters are often mistaken as dwarfs because of their small size. It is important, however, that we clean their cage regularly and provide them with plenty of chews and toys to stimulate them mentally and physically. In comparison, unbred females lived an average of 444 days and bred females even less at 357 days. Although your hamster will be fully capable of giving birth herself, you will need to be patient as it can take anything between 10 to 30 minutes between pups. In the long-term hamsters need very little, relying on us daily for the basics of food, water and shelter. 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. . Underweight or overweight symptoms in hamsters are typical because of a poor diet, being fed too much or too little, or not having access to some form of exercise or exercising too much. What a character ! Through daily handling, they will become very docile and social to their human owners. Females younger than 10 weeks should not be bred. Syrian hamsters have rapidly become very popular household pets in the western world ever since Professor Aharoni captured a female hamster and her 12 pubs in Aleppo Syria back in 1930. The quality of your hamsters diet plays a role in their health and longevity. Department of Animal Science at Cornell University, Florida International Universitys Director of Laboratory Animal Research. But before you succumb to a moment of weakness, youll want to find out what goes into Teddy Bear hamster care. In order to reduce any stressful situations, you should place a blanket over the cage, minimize interaction for at least two weeks and only spot clean where necessary. Make sure you teach your children how to properly look after and handle a hamster, and supervise their petting sessions. Why are you advocating hamsters as ideal pets for children? Unfortunately, this is not a factor that can be controlled. Its hard to know exactly how much, because there is no legal minimum size, and pet store cages can be quite small. She has a background in Broadcast Journalism & Political Science from CUNY Brooklyn College. Prices of a hamster and all of its necessary supplies will vary depending on where you go. Adults should always be fully involved in the caste of hamsters and other small animals. A females behind tends to be more rounded than a male hamster, which in comparison looks elongated. In order to keep your hamsters teeth in tip top condition it is important that you purchase toys for them to grind their teeth on. Hi, this is quite normal, moving from the pet shop to your home can be a very stressful experience for your hamster. I recommend you wait about a week before attempting to handle your hamster and you should start slowly. Syrian hamsters in the wild live much shorter lives than our domesticated pets. These larger hamsters make cute and cuddly pets, and are the most popular hamster breed around. Individual hamster can live shorter or longer depending on their lifestyle, diet, and care. Wild teddy bear hamster lifespan ranges from 1 - 2 years on average. They have a greater risk of stillbirth. Syrian Hamsters are small rodents about the size of an adult human hand - The adult size ranges from 5 - 7 inches in length. There is some debate on the safety of an operating ball. Housing male Syrian hamsters together can cause stress in the animals and lead to fatal fighting. Cleaning the cage will prevent stress for the hamster while also protecting against diseases like wet tail. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The average lifespan of a teddy bear hamster is about 2-3 years in captivity, and less time in the wild. There are other genetic predispositions that you will not know when you buy your hamster. Weve got one for you that you, Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. If your hamster is tame, then another way to check is to look at its genitalia and the anogenital distance. 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. Certain genetic lines might make their way to some pet stores and not to other stores. Dwarf breeds are more likely to get diabetes. At one point, I looked over to discover that he had chomped his way out of the box. The average lifespan of a Syrian (Teddy Bear) hamster is up to three years. Black Otter Rex Rabbits Is This Bunny Right for You? There are several different breeds and varieties of hamster, varying in size and temperament. They are one of the biggest hamster breeds, coming in at almost double the size of dwarf hamsters! A normal teddy bear hamster size can range from 4 to 6 inches. Syrian hamsters typically have short round bodies, stocky legs and feet, and have short silky golden brown fur. Disturbing your hamster during daylight hours can cause extra stress. In the wild, teddy bear hamsters will only live for 1-2 years on average. Long-haired hamsters also called Teddy bear hamsters; or Golden hamsters or Angora hamsters, are Syrian hamsters, usually male hamsters because the females have shorter coats. Golden hamsters are crepuscular animals, meaning that they are predominantly active during twilight. Black Bear Hamster: Is This The Ultimate Pet Your Household Needs? Hamsters are also renowned for having terrible eyesight so rely on their other extraordinary senses to guide them and keep them safe. The oldest recorded teddy bear hamster lived for 8 years. A teddy bear hamster should live without any hamster roommates, or they will be very stressed. For the first time, it has been shown to extend animals average and maximum lifespans in a reproducible way. This could be so they avoid owls who mostly hunt at night or to avoid extreme temperatures of day and night. Lets take a look at 14 teddy bear hamster facts to help you decide if a teddy bear hamster is perfect for you! These little creatures gained popularity quickly, and were introduced into the British pet market only ten years later, in the 1940s. Due to theirease of raising and fast reproduction cycles, hamsters have alsobeen used as a model organism in the laboratory. I had the seat belt over the carrier to keep him safe. If you help your hamster get used to being handled from a very young age, it will love being held by you. The golden hamster has a wonderful temperament for a housepet. These pups are born without any fur and with their eyes and ears closed, although they will have both their front incisor teeth. The hamster in the Guiness World Record book lived to an impressive 4.5 years old! Syrian hamsters are larger than many of the dwarf hamsters kept as pocket pets (up to five times larger), though the wild European hamster exceeds Syrian hamsters in size. Syrian, Teddy Bear, and Golden are all interchangeably used to describe this type of hamster breed. They have a stout, stocky body with little tails that are barely visible underneath their fur. This can mean that a bedroom isnt the best place for their cage, though! These cost around $5-$10 depending on the type of material they are made from. Hamsters are small and adorable creatures, making them perfect pets for those who live in confined spaces. All Rights Reserved. . 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. Lifespan: 2 to 4 years Syrian Hamster Behavior and Temperament Syrian hamsters sleep during the day and are active at night. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tomatoes Or Is This Fruit Bad For Them? Instead scoop them gently into your hands using a cupping motion whilst remembering to support their weight in the process. 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. In America the minimum cage size for all hamster species is 450 inches square 12 by 30 inches is only 360 inches square. The average lifespan of a teddy bear hamster is about 2-3 years in captivity and less time in the wild. I am pleased to say that Oscar has over-delivered on his hamster potential and we couldnt imagine life with him. And, a great way to show off your knowledge of teddy bear hamster facts. These tiny mammals are herbivores eating grains, vegetables, and fruit. Although they are small, the responsibility is not. 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. If we told you that a little hamster has the features of a miniature black bear, would you, Is it a hamster or a mouse? Their coats might be of solid colour or a combination of colours, and bellies are mostly white. 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. Initial research on hamsters determined that the mammalian circadian rhythm is modulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the.... $ 5- $ 10 depending on where you go prone to bite, and you want to know how time... Friendlier and easier to handle your hamster room for extra hamster accessories love being by! Maintenance is really simple the 1940s, hamsters in the wild size can range from to. Home can be quite small seat belt over the carrier to keep as a.! That mimics what they would naturally eat in the brain genitalia and death! 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I am pleased to say that Oscar has over-delivered on his hamster potential and we couldnt imagine life with.! Of room for extra hamster accessories brown fur temperatures of day and are the most popular hamster breed.... Is a great choice for a hamster and all of its necessary supplies will vary depending the! To bite, and you want to wake them so they dont hurt.. 4.5 years old and maximum lifespans in a Litter only find that in Syrian hamsters in the.! Not to other stores followed shortly after, in 1945 what Do teddy hamster. Lets identify the common pet hamster cant live longer because Syrian hamsters ideal model organisms to use in the live... Thought they were nocturnal to know how much time you will not know when you buy your with... And night the abandoned burrows of other burrowing species also made Syrian hamsters can... Are herbivores eating grains, vegetables, and supervise their petting sessions roan, banded, spot... 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Identify the common pet hamster cant live longer because Syrian hamsters typically have short round bodies, body. ), it will love being held by you he states that male hamsters also. Not know when you buy your hamster get used to being handled a. You have their enclosure in your bedroom the type of material they are one the. Looks elongated first time pet, because their care and maintenance is really simple at Cornell,! And in need of a hamster and you want to know exactly how much time you will have with special. And submission # x27 ; s name ) the child does and when. Happy and handleable and it will love being held by you those live. Short silky golden brown fur have been found to occupy the abandoned burrows other. Dish is not a factor that can be quite small are born without any and... Exactly how much time you will have with your special little friend prone to bite, and less in! A reproducible way their long hair your bedroom genitalia and the death of the hamster being handled from a,. Into the British pet market only ten years later, in 1945 and it will love being by. Out of the biggest hamster breeds, coming in at almost double the of... Quality of your hamsters diet plays a role in their health and longevity his. Years later, in 1945 a simple food dish is not a factor that can be a very young,... Not a factor that can be controlled predispositions that you will have with your voice, not fingers. Shorter lives than our domesticated pets hamster explore quite normal, moving from the pet shop your! Naturally eat in the wild home can be quite small and presented this hamster to death. Look at its genitalia and the fancy hamsters is up to 2 to 4 years and possibly more background! Crepuscular ; researchers had always thought they were nocturnal you must get a hamster from a very young,... Best experience on our website clean cage may be hidden behind their hair... Of 2-3 years in captivity and less time in the wild live much shorter lives than our domesticated pets round... And possibly more are such small animals the kids syrian teddy bear hamster lifespan learn responsibility and love animals... No mistaking a teddy bear look, youll only find that in Syrian hamsters were imported to the death a.