Hamsters are adorable animals. They move their cheeks nicely while eating, fidget funny and just love to run on the wheel and explore the outskirts of their house. But for everyone who is going to breed these wonderful animals, and for ordinary lovers, it will be useful to learn how to determine the age of your animal. Distinguishing a newborn from a grown-up is almost no difficulty, but further changes in babies are not so noticeable and require more careful observation.
It is necessary
electronic balance
Instructions
Step 1
Take a close look at your hamster. Hamster babies often go on sale as early as 30 days of age, but in many breeds during this period, the color change and fur growth continue. Therefore, if you have literature with photographs of adult animals or relevant reference books with exact sizes and weights, you can safely focus on them. If in the photo your hamster proudly wears a long fur coat, and the baby that sleeps in the palm of his hand has a very short fur, then you are in luck, and there is a young creature in front of you. If the exterior in the photo and the original are completely identical, your hamster is already an adult.
Step 2
Take a regular electronic scale and weigh the animal every week for a month. More precisely, it is necessary to determine the age of females, since too early pregnancy and childbirth at a young age can be not only undesirable, but even dangerous. Hamsters reach puberty at the age of one month or 40 days, but it is too early for such hamsters to give birth. Up to three to four months of age, young hamsters gain weight steadily. If you have not changed the diet and notice a positive trend, the hamster is still a child. But if her weight is relatively stable, the female is older than four months. It is after the animal is fully formed and reaches its optimal weight that the first mating can begin.
Step 3
When purchasing a hamster in a store, be sure to pay attention to its behavior and appearance. Young hamsters are more active, they run constantly, they can even fight. Their adults, on the other hand, even look more sedate and prefer balanced behavior. Often, animals spend most of their lives within the walls of a pet store, and sellers can pass them off as young animals. In any case, it is necessary to carefully examine the hamsters and, in case of any doubts, refuse to purchase. Sexually mature hamsters lead a rather active life, fight with fellows and stick to females. If you see that the animals are lethargic and apathetic - most likely in front of you are veteran hamsters, which should not be acquired.
