Dwarf hamsters are a popular variety of rodents for home keeping. They are distinguished by their small size, lack of a tail and great mobility. Dwarf hamsters are found in several colors. Caring for them is not difficult at all.
In pet stores, you can often find small rodents, which are often mistaken for mice. They are extremely mobile and have no tails. These are dwarf hamsters. This type of hamsters with a low weight - up to 50 g and a very small size - up to 5.5 cm. Dwarf hamsters are not used for experiments and laboratory work.
Types of dwarf hamsters
For home care and breeding, four types of dwarf hamsters are most often sold: Dzungarian hamster, Campbell hamster, Taylor hamster and Roborovsky hamster. The hamsters received these names from their discoverers. The listed species of dwarf hamsters differ in coat color. Dzungariki are usually gray with a dark stripe on the back, Campbell's hamsters are brown, Taylor's hamsters are dark gray like mice, and Roborovsky's are golden with a white belly.
They began to breed dwarf hamsters at home at the beginning of the last century. The rarest species are Campbell's hamsters. Their fur is more elongated than that of other hamsters. In addition, even the soles of the feet are covered with fur.
Features of dwarf hamsters
Dwarf hamsters are very mobile, love to climb and run, and require more spacious cages to move than other breeds of hamsters. A good help would be a running wheel with a flat surface so as not to damage the tiny feet, and a walking ball for walking around the room.
The cage should be made of frequent metal rods so that the hamster cannot get out on its own. Dwarf hamsters love to dig and bury themselves, so cover the bottom of the cage with sawdust and hay.
There must be a house in the cage, preferably made of natural, "breathing" material, for privacy and sleep.
Hamsters should be kept one at a time, otherwise animals, especially of the same sex, may conflict. When breeding, the cage contains only one pair.
Care and nutrition
The sawdust in the cage should be changed once a week. Sand can be used instead of sawdust. In the cage, you need to install fresh branches of trees, twigs, which also need to be periodically updated.
There should be a feeder and a drinking bowl with water in the cage. Dwarf hamsters drink less than their usual counterparts, but you still need to constantly monitor the purity of the water. But because of their mobility and higher metabolism, dwarf hamsters eat as much as larger species. They need a tablespoon of grain mixture per day, as well as vegetables, fruits, dandelion greens, and clover. Once a week, they need to be given fish, boiled meat, eggs, or insects.
Dwarf hamsters are not aggressive, they easily get used to humans and go to their hands. If the hamster walks outside the cage, you need to carefully monitor him so that the animal does not harm itself or damage the surrounding objects.
