Types of hamsters

Syrian or Golden Hamster
Scientific Name: Mesocricetus auratusCountry of Origin SyriaLifespan about 2 yearsSize and Weight 15 to 20cm and 100g to 150gOther Names Teddy Bear, Black Bear, Short Haired, Other Important Facts Syrian hamsters are nocturnal and odourless. They spend much time grooming and rearranging their house. They have cheek pouches which they use to hoard food and then disgorge it in their nest. They can be found in many colours and in many different types of coats and patterns. A Syrian hamster is a solitary and must be caged separately from the age of 8 weeks. Syrian hamsters both male and female have two patches of fur on either side of their hips which are scent glands. These areas are noticeable because they have shorter and darker fur.

Campbell's Russian Dwarf Hamster
Scientific Name: Phodopus CambelliCountry of Origin Central Asia, Northern Russia, Mongolia and Northern China.Lifespan about 1 to 2 yearsSize and Weight 10 to 12cm and 50g to 75gOther Important Facts This hamster lives in sand dunes in the wild and benefits from a shallow dish of chinchilla dust. Males tend to be larger than females with a longer body as opposed to females short round plump body. They often release oils similar to those of ducks. Russian hamsters should be brought in pairs or groups because they are a sociable group. The Russian dwarf is not ideal for children because it is more prone to nip due to clumsy handling than the Syrian hamster. Russian Dwarf hamsters have a distinct line of fur along their spine which is usually darker than the rest of their coat.
Roborovski Dwarf Hamster Scientific Name: Phodopus RoborovskiCountry of Origin Central Asia, Northern Russia, Mongolia and northern china.Lifespan about 3 to 3 1/2 yearsSize and Weight 4 to 5cm and 20g to 25gOther Important Facts The roborovski hamster is becoming increasingly more available in pet shops. It is fast and very lively, but rarely nip. This hamster is not normally recommended to the first time hamster owner as they can be tricky to handle. Roborovski hamsters are very sociable and should be brought in pairs of the same sex although many pet shops cannot sex these hamsters confidently. Roborovski hamsters should never be housed in small cages despite their small size and require at least a 24" X 12" cage or glass tank.
Chinese Hamster Scientific Name: Cricetulus griseusCountry of Origin Mongolia and Northern China.Lifespan about 2 to 3 yearsSize and Weight 10 to 12cm and 50g to 75gOther Important Facts The Chinese hamster has a mouse like appearance and is not a widely kept breed of hamster due to it difficulty in breeding. In general the males are larger than the females. Like all hamsters the Chinese hamster has expandable cheek pouches. Chinese hamsters should be sold in pairs of the same sex. These hamsters are nocturnal and are extremely timid and fast moving and excellent climbers. Chinese hamsters are ideal for experienced hamster owners as they are difficult to catch and sometimes nip, but when caught are a pleasure. A cage for two Chinese hamsters should be at least a 24" by 12" glass aquarium or a large plastic cage, because these hamsters love large cages.
Winter White Russian (Siberian) Dwarf Hamster Scientific Name: Phodopus sungorusCountry of Origin Eastern Kazakhstan and South West Siberia Lifespan about 1 to 2 yearsSize and Weight 8 to 10cm and 50g to 60gOther Important Facts The dwarf Winter White Russian Dwarf hamster often referred to as the Siberian hamster is not commonly seen in pet shops. It differs from the Campbell's Russian hamster because it has a roman nose, curved spine giving a bullet shaped body and also more prominent eyes. Males are larger than females and both sexes having expandable cheek pouches. It gets it name because during the winter it turns white. This is due to the change in the hours of light. Winter White hamsters are sociable and should be sold in pairs of the same sex to avoid breeding. They can be introduced provided this is done before 8 weeks of age. It has a good temperament, but is not an ideal first time hamster because it can be difficult to handle. Two Winter Whites need to be housed in a glass or plastic cage no smaller than 24" by 12".
Other Breeds of Hamster
Mouse-Like Hamster, European Hamster, Rumanian Hamster, Turkish Hamster, Turkish Hamster, Ladak Hamster, Chinese Striped Hamster, Mongolian Hamster. Eversmann's Hamster, Ciscaucasian Hamster, Tibetan Hamster, Lesser Longtailed Hamster, Armenian Hamster, Greater Longtailed Hamster

Cleaning the Cage

Cleaning cages is the worst part but it pays of because if you leave the cage it may attract many sicknesses or diseases. Your hamsters cage should be cleaned at least once a week. While you clean the cage you should place your hamster in a box or in a play wheel. When you clean it take out everything to reduce dust and put all the waste(shavings ext.) into the garbage. You should take everything out of the cage and put it in the bath tub and wash it or disinfect the cage. But don't do this to the bottle. Take the bottle seperatly and take a bottle brush (even a pipecleaner will do)and clean it. Make sure you wash it with hot water and then with cold water. This will help your hamster A LOT to reduce sicknesses and really bad odour.

Taming and Handling

When you buy a hamster it is normally not tame because the shop has no time to hold your hamster so you have to tame it yourself. It is better to tame your hamster while it is young because it is much easier. Talk to your hamster while you're taming it. It will get to know your voice. Look at your hamster straight in the face. Hamsters bite only when they are frightened. If your hamster does nip your finger, it is best to put it back in its cage and leave it alone a couple of hours so that it can calm down. To hold your hamster you should cup your hands gently around the hamster. Do not pick your hamster under the arms this can stop it breathing. You can pick your hamster by the scruff of the neck to observe it's teeth and fur condition.There are about 4 steps you can use to help tame your animal.
1. Watch your hamster carefully to see when it is active or sleeping. Remember it's favorite foods because that can help overcome the hamsters fear. Put your hand into the cage and drop his favorite food into it so the hamster knows that it drops off food. Once you get comfertable with doing this you can leave your hand in the cage when it is eating.
2. When your hamster is confident enough to eat beside your hand, put the food in the palm of your hand. It may a while before the hamster will eat from your hand without fear. When it does, you can stroke it gently with one finger along its back. Never stroke its head.
3. So now get your hamster used to being picked up. When it is eating from your hand take your other hand and cup the hamster and slowly lift it out for a few moments at a time. Once your hamster becomes comfertable with bieng lifted out you can do this really often without doing the food part.
4. Play with it near the ground so that if you drop it or it jumps out of your hands, it doesn't have a long way to fall. Let it run from one hand to the other. Soon it will be confident enough to run along your arm.

Hamster home

For bedding a hamster should use plain, non scented pine wood shavings, as the scents can sometimes cause nasal irritations. Cedar wood shaving should be avoided because they release large amounts of phenol fumes which may be related to liver damage. Aspen is the ideal bedding because it releases no toxic chemicals. Bedding should be supplied generously to prevent odours and to your hamster getting a urine soaked bed.A lot of times when i forgot to clean my cage my hamster looked really greasy so it's best to clean it.The Bedding should be changed at least once a week. For Nesting Materials you should be using a paper based material such as safe bed which is paper flakes or shredded paper. Never use newspaper as newsprint is dangerous to hamsters & will discolour their fur. Never buy a cotton wool style bedding because these trap hamsters limbs and when they eat it which they probably will it can block their stomach. Some of these cotton wool like beddings are made of plastics which do not dissolve when a hamster eats it.

Buying A Hamster!!!!!!!

When you first buy a hamster you should get it from a well kept store or a clean breeder. You should check for the conditions and cleanness of the place because that will affect your hamsters personality and condition. Please avoid getting a hamster from a tight cramped area.When you have got your hamster you will be given a box to take it in. This box can be it's home for only 30-60 minutes so go home fast. I would recommend having it's cage already set up due to there can be diseases on fresh cages because it's been there for a long time.When you get your hamster please give it a day to settle in. When you buy your hamster it may get a lot of stress which may cause a disease called dry tail.So i would recommend getting this medicine called dry tail you drop a few drops into your pets water and it should stop dry tail. If your asking what dry tail is it's diaareaha caused by stress which can unfortunatly kill your hamter.Selecting your breed of hamster is also important so make sur you check the types blog. What you should look for in a hamster:
*It should be in the age range of four to eight week of age
*Its cage must be clean with water and food
*Select a colour which appeals to you
*The nose should be dry to moist with no discharge
*The eyes should be round, wide open and clear with no sign of staining of the fur.
*The fur should be smooth and unbroken with no signs of breaking
*It should have an alert inquisitive manner and not be alarmed by handling.
*For first-time owners you may find purchasing a male hamster is preferable.

What This Website has!!!

Well as you can see this web page is about hamsters. If you know nothing about hamsters than you have come to the right web site.This web page will have about 6-7 blogs on how to take care of your hamster and how to get them.This blog has topics like...
1. About hamsters
2. Buying a hamster
3. Hamster care
4. Breeding
5. Types of hamsters
6. Hamster pictures

Hope you enjoy my website on hamsters and make sure if you have any questions than post them and I will answer them in about 2-4 days. Thank you!!