hamsters


			ACORN VETERINARY SURGERY

Several species of Hamsters are kept as pets.. The Syrian hamster originates from hamsters bred in the 1930’s. They are also known as the “Golden hamster” as this tended to be the original coat colour. There are a number of coat colour and coat length variants that have been subsequently developed. Hamsters are nocturnal solitary animals and will tend to hibernate if the ambient temperature drops too low.

The russian dwarf hamster is also nocturnal and tends to be housed in pairs or groups

Hamsters are characterised by having two large cheek pouches, short tails and solid compact bodies. Cheek pouches are used for food transport and storage


	The basic hamster is approximately 15-20cm/6-8 inches long and weighs 85 - 130g/ 3-5 oz. It is colour blind and views the world in black and white. Average life expectancy is one to three years. During their “busy” awake times hamsters will travel large distances within the cage, and much of their energy is devoted to trying to escape!! Hamsters are very fastidious animals and will almost constantly wash, especially after human handling!


		Hamsters are generally easy pets to feed . Variety is important and ready prepared mixes are available from most petfood outlets. Hamsters may be fed ad libitum quantities of food but clean out regularly as the hamster will hoard food and it will of course decay. It is normal for hamsters to eat their own faeces. A supply of fresh drinking water must always be available

	HAMSTER LINKS

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