In the modern world, hamsters have become no less common pets than cats and dogs. And it's no wonder - small fluffy lumps, vytvoryayuschie funny acrobatic stunts and quickly hiding the pieces of food on the cheek, can give a lot of positive emotions. If you have a small apartment, or you are too busy at work, then getting a hamster will be ideal for you.
How many kinds of hamsters exist?
In total, there are about 60 different genera in the world, which unite more than 235 species of hamsters. About 14 species live in Russia. Favorite places of residence of hamsters are deserts and semi-deserts, steppes, forest-steppes. There are hamsters even in the mountains at an altitude of 2500 km.
All hamsters are conditionally divided into two groups:
- Wild hamsters living in nature in nature;
- decorative (domestic) hamsters, which are kept at home.
Types of homemade hamsters
Usually, the houses have four types of hamsters:
- jungar hamster;
- Hamstock Campbell;
- hamster of Roborovsky;
- Syrian hamster.
Let's get acquainted with these breeds of homemade hamsters closer.
Dzhungar hamster is one of the most popular species. It refers to dwarfish, as it grows to only 10 cm. On the back of the animal along the spine passes a strip of wool black. The muzzle at the jungar hamsters is pointed, and the ears are small. During the breeding season - from March to September - the hamster female brings offspring 3-4 times, the number of young in one litter can reach 12 toddlers.
Dzhungar hamsters in turn are divided into two types: the so-called sapphire hamsters with a light gray fur coat and hamsters with snow-white wool.
Contain dzhungar hamsters need in a cage the size of not less than 30 by 70 cm, as these animals - like the rest of this family - are very active and mobile. By the way, the activity of hamsters rises in the evening, because these animals are nocturnal animals.
Campbell's hamster is very similar to the Dzhungar hamster both in size and weight, but differs in color. The hamster Campbell fur is less gray, with a golden brown tint.
If you chose this type of hamster, then we hasten to warn you - these animals more than others like to bite. Therefore, we advise you to stock up on leather gloves and wear them when you want to cuddle your pet so that he does not bite your fingers. Keep Campbell's hamsters, as well as Dzungar's, better in a cage one at a time, otherwise the animals will shit.
Hamsters Roborovsky considered the smallest representatives of domestic breeds. Their size reaches only 5-6 cm, while they move with a very high speed and generally differ in increased nervousness. In this regard, any change in the surrounding environment or external movement anywhere will become stressful for the animal, which can last more than one week.
Hamsters of this species are very fond of digging in the sand, so it is necessary to pour quartz sand on the bottom of the cage with a layer around
A Syrian hamster about 18 cm in size with a golden yellow or brownish fur that can be short or rather long. The animal is very easygoing and harmless, the sweetest creature with amusing habits. Therefore, Syrian is also one of the most preferred types of domestic hamsters.
In nature, the life expectancy of almost all types of hamsters is about 1-2.5 years, in domestic conditions and with good care the animal can live three or even four years.