HamstersHamsters

Mrs. SalvatiMrs. Salvati

VarietiesVarieties Golden (Syrian)Golden (Syrian) Brown on top, white on bottomBrown on top, white on bottomBlack stripe on backBlack stripe on back

Syrian – Different colorsSyrian – Different colorsTeddy Bear - Teddy Bear - Long haired Long haired Different colorsDifferent colors

DwarfDwarfSmaller then goldenSmaller then goldenDifferent varietiesDifferent varieties

http://harveyhams.weebly.com/syrian-hamster-varieties.html harveyhams.weebly.com/syrian-hamster-varieties.html

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Nocturnal – sleep during the dayNocturnal – sleep during the day Stump tailStump tail Weigh 90-150 gramsWeigh 90-150 grams Continuously growing incisorsContinuously growing incisors Cheek pouches – pockets on inside of Cheek pouches – pockets on inside of

mouth to store foodmouth to store food Solitary animalsSolitary animals

HousingHousing

10 Gallon tank with cover10 Gallon tank with cover Plastic hamster cages with tunnelsPlastic hamster cages with tunnels Wood shavings for beddingWood shavings for bedding Nesting materials (toilet paper rolls)Nesting materials (toilet paper rolls)

FeedingFeeding

Hamster mix found at the pet storeHamster mix found at the pet store Water should be in a bottleWater should be in a bottle Treats can include:Treats can include:

CheeriosCheerios BreadsBreads Timothy hayTimothy hay Fruits and vegetablesFruits and vegetables

InformationInformation

Gestation – 19-20 daysGestation – 19-20 days Litter size – 4-12 babiesLitter size – 4-12 babies Wean – 3-4 weeksWean – 3-4 weeks Origin – Middle EastOrigin – Middle East Life span – 2-3 yearsLife span – 2-3 years Sexually mature – 10weeksSexually mature – 10weeks Sex by Anogenital distanceSex by Anogenital distance http://hamsterhideout.com/forum/index.php?http://hamsterhideout.com/forum/index.php?

showtopic=10517showtopic=10517

Health ProblemsHealth Problems

Wet tail – bacteria causing diarrheaWet tail – bacteria causing diarrhea TraumaTrauma Teeth problemsTeeth problems

Signs of a healthy hamster:Signs of a healthy hamster:

Clear eyes, Good skin and coat, eating Clear eyes, Good skin and coat, eating drinking, normal urine and fecesdrinking, normal urine and feces

HandlingHandling

Do not startle hamsterDo not startle hamster Pet firstPet first Hold with 2 hands over safe areaHold with 2 hands over safe area Restrain – scruffRestrain – scruff Tame with treatsTame with treats

GerbilsGerbils

GerbilsGerbilsGerbil VarietiesGerbil Varieties

Mongolian GerbilMongolian Gerbil

Comes in different colorsComes in different colors

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Longer hind legs help gerbil to stand Longer hind legs help gerbil to stand uprightupright

Long tail covered with furLong tail covered with fur Weigh 2-4ozWeigh 2-4oz Good DiggerGood Digger Can be active in both day and nightCan be active in both day and night Usually prefer mate for lifeUsually prefer mate for life

HousingHousing

Housing available for hamsters is usually Housing available for hamsters is usually suited for gerbilssuited for gerbils

Gerbils should have more cage space Gerbils should have more cage space then hamsters because they are more then hamsters because they are more activeactive

Wood shavings for beddingWood shavings for bedding Nesting materials (toilet paper rolls)Nesting materials (toilet paper rolls) Tail can get caught in exercise wheelTail can get caught in exercise wheel

FeedingFeeding

Gerbil mix found at the pet storeGerbil mix found at the pet store Consume very little water, water should Consume very little water, water should

be in a bottlebe in a bottle Treats can include:Treats can include:

Sunflower seedsSunflower seeds

Green foods – lettuce, cabbageGreen foods – lettuce, cabbage

InformationInformation

Gestation – 21-26 daysGestation – 21-26 days Litter size – 5 babiesLitter size – 5 babies Wean – 3 weeksWean – 3 weeks Origin – MongoliaOrigin – Mongolia Life span – 1-4 yearsLife span – 1-4 years Sexually mature – 5wSexually mature – 5w Sex by Anogenital distanceSex by Anogenital distance

Health ProblemsHealth Problems

Tyzzer’s disease – bacteria that may Tyzzer’s disease – bacteria that may cause deathcause death

Seizures Seizures TraumaTrauma Teeth problemsTeeth problems

HandlingHandling

Grasp base of tailGrasp base of tail Tame with treatsTame with treats

Info taken fromInfo taken from

http://www.hamster-club.com/http://www.hamster-club.com/varieties.aspvarieties.asp

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/pets/http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/pets/hamster.htmhamster.htm

http://www.caringtogether.com/exotics/http://www.caringtogether.com/exotics/hamsters3.htmlhamsters3.html

http://www.petwebsite.com/gerbils/http://www.petwebsite.com/gerbils/mongolian_gerbils.htm mongolian_gerbils.htm