Hamster's Home Page

History

The golden hamster's rise to popularity as a pet and laboratory animal is very unique. Golden hamsters were first discovered in 1839 by the British zoologist George Waterhouse near the Syrian city of Aleppo. He called the animal he had discovered Cricetus auratus or, golden hamster in English. Not much was heard of the golden hamster for almost a hundred years. The only thing to prove of their existence was one pelt, which hung in the British museum.

In 1930, Professor I. Aharoni of the Zoology Department of the University of Jerusalem once more focused attention on the hamster. In the course of a trip to the Syrian desert with hes students, he came across the burrow of a female golden hamster with 8-12(I have found controdicting numbers)babies. He dug them up, and took them back with him. Unfortunately only three of them, one male and two females, survived the trip and the unaccustomed conditions of captivity. The surviving hamsters were taken to the Zoological Institute of Jerusalem, where they multiplied so rapidly that by the end of the year their population had increased to 300!

It was then that they were given the scientific name Mesocricetus auratus (their current scientific name), that means medium-sized golden hamster.

In 1931, young hamsters were shipped to the United States Public Health Service Research Center at Carville, Louisiana, where they were used in research. While being used in research, it was discovered that the Golden hamster could be tamed and made into a pet; and since 1945, they have been popular in Europe too.

• Golden hamsters, are about 6 inches (15 cm) in size, with golden color and white underparts. They are robust and lively, the males are particularly aggressive toward others of their kind.
• Piedbald hamster, are usually asymmetrical pattern of wild-type; beige, gray, brown or black spotting. They are jumpy, nervous, and harder to tame; they're subject to infectious diseases; almost impossible to keep in pairs.
• Russian hamster, has white fur with dark markings on its nose, ears, tail, and feet; it has dark red eyes; and is more delicate than wild-type golden hamster. It becomes tame very quickly, gets along well with others of its kind, but has a limited vision.
• Cream-colored hamster, is an even beige color, with somewhat paler underparts. They are lively; become friendly quickly; are even-tempered; and gets along with others of its own kind.
• Teddy hamster also known as the Teddy Bear hamster,can either be longhair or shorthair; has plush-like, silky, shiny fur; and is smaller than wild-type golden hamsters. They become friendly quickly; and can be kept with other peaceful types of hamsters, preferably not with its own kind thou.

  * I personaly have two female tbh and they spend all their time together, and are super nice to each other.

• Longhaired golden hamster also know as the Angora hamster, has long, silky fur in wild-type, piebald, crea, and gray. They are especially good-natured, even to others of its own kind; and needs to be groomed with a coarse comb.
• Dwarf hamsters: Chinese hamsters, are about 4.25 inches (11 cm) in size; the young have gray, thick and soft fur; both have a dark stripe down the back from forehead to tail. Young ones become tame easily, the older ones rarely do; the males are aggressive toward females.
• Dzjunngarian dwarf hamster, are about 3.5 inches (9 cm) in size; they have a grayish-brown face, the rest of the head and ears are a dark brown to black. There is a stripe down the back; and their feet and underparts are white. They are good-natured, even to others of its own kind.

Vocal language

• Hissing, a threatening sound made when attacking or during courtship.
• Screeching, is a sound of defense and expression of great fear when threatend by a predator or enemy.
• Teeth Chattering, is an urgent warning addressed to an enemy (an aggressive sound.)
• Squealing, another aggressive sound (do you feel a pattern forming here?!), this sound is usually accompanied with minor fighting.
• Growling, muttering, yep, its an aggressive utterance of hamsters, it is uttered by the male after copulation.
• Squeking, is the sound made by baby hamsters when they feel abandoned.

Body Language

• Creeping along close to the ground, means the hamster is insecure in unfamiliar surroundings.
• Puffing up cheeks, is a showing of intimidation.
• Extensive, relaxed grooming, yawning, and stretching, all mean the hamster is in a sense of comfort.
• Leaping into the air, your hamster is in a good mood, it has high spirits.
• Sudden flinching, means the hamster has been startled or frightened.
• Folded ears, is a sign of attention.
• Sitting up on haunches, is a sign of attention or aggression.
• Ears pointing backward, can mean alot of things: the hamster is feeling tired or insecure; has fear; is in a bad mood; has aggressiveness, or has attention.
• Sudden, prolonged grooming, means the hamster has just been startled.
• Lying on its back motionless, is a posture of defense, the hamster is in fear.

  *The hamster could be dead, also; but I'm sure you could tell the difference!*

Some Dangers for hamsters:

• Electric wires
• Stainedor varnished wood
• Vessels filled with water
• Hot things
• Cage grating
• Ventilation shafts
• Human feet
• Plants (poison)
• Closets, drawers
• Chairs
• The sun
• Pointed objects
• Tables
• Doors

Summary

• Hamsters are nocturnal.
• Hamster cages should be, at least, ten inches by sixteen inches by ten inches by sixteen inches by ten inches high, (for a single hamster). It should also be gnaw-prof. You can buy one almost anywhere.
• Commercially propared pellets especially formulated, which contain all the vitamins + minerals necessary, are the easiest way to feed hamsters.
• Hamsters also enjoy treats such as: carrots, grain, cauliflower, walnuts, strawberries, mealworms, hay, cottage chees, yogurt, and fruits and vegetables.
• Sprouting, potato buds; green parts of tomatoes and potatoes; fool's parsley; laburnum; canned or frozen vegetables; raw beans; and, poispn hemlock are all poisonous foods to hamsters.
• Hamsters can reproduce rapidly. They sexually mature at five to six weeks.
• Females come into heat every five to six days, and can produce six to ten young (eight is the norm.) i sixteen days after being breed.
• Wet tail (enteritis) is one of the few diseases that can cause healthproblems with hamsters.
• Hamsters can live two to four years on average.

Hamster Links

Hamsters - Biology, Care, Diseases & Models
The Hamster Page -- has one useful and one useless hamster links page.
The Complete Hamster Site -- the name says it all, it has tons of cool stuff.
Acme Pet
Small Mammal Medly -- Small Animals
Net Vet - The Electronic Zoo -- Rodents

Special Thanks To/ Resources:
Hamsters, by Otto von Frisch. and, Small Animal Care & Management, by Dean M. Warren.