Black bear hamsters are completely black. They are slightly smaller in size compared to the average hamster. Their fur is dark brown, not completely black. It appears slightly reddish under sunlight. The fur on their head, neck, and limbs is white.
Physical Characteristics: As the name suggests, they are completely black. They are slightly smaller in size compared to the average hamster. Their fur is dark brown, not completely black. It appears slightly reddish under sunlight. The fur on their head, neck, and limbs is white.
Diet: Omnivorous
Sexual Maturity: Males - 6 to 8 weeks; Females - 4 to 8 weeks
Gestation Period: 18 to 25 days
Number of Offspring per Litter: 1 to 10
Year-round Mating: Yes
Birth Weight: Around 2g
Weaning Period: 20 to 25 days
Lifespan: 1.5 to 2 years
Black Bear Hamster is a black variety of the Syrian Hamster, originally from Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and other places. It officially became a pet after being introduced to the United States in 1938. Its fur is completely black and shiny.
A pet hamster is recommended for people who love small pets. Overall, the black bear hamster is not difficult to raise, but it is not something that can be done casually if you want to raise it well. Before raising it, the owner should prepare a cage of suitable size, preferably not made of wire, as it is easy to scratch the mouse, but it can reduce the chances of bacteria breeding.
When hamsters fight, it is possible for them to leave wounds that can become infected and form abscesses. You can squeeze out the abscess and apply medication, but this can be painful, so it is not recommended. The best way is to take it to see a doctor. The fundamental solution is to avoid keeping two hamsters together.
Colds/Pneumonia
If your hamster is wheezing, having difficulty breathing, or its eyes are not moving, you should take it to see a doctor immediately. There are also other symptoms to watch out for, such as sudden weight loss, a runny nose, excessive sleepiness, and so on. These symptoms could be caused by a cold or pneumonia.
Tyzzer's Disease
Tyzzer's disease is a contagious disease among hamsters caused by a type of bacteria, often leading to death. Some hamsters may not show obvious symptoms before they die. Others may have minor signs such as listlessness, dirty fur, diarrhea, and dehydration. Hamsters are more susceptible to this disease in unclean environments and under significant stress. Fortunately, the chances of getting this disease are greatly reduced for those who are well taken care of and live in a clean environment.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that is prone to occur in Campbell's hamsters. A hamster with diabetes will feel very thirsty and urinate frequently. The main method of treatment is to change its diet. They should not eat fruits, and the quantity of peas and corn in their food should be limited or avoided altogether. A veterinarian will provide an accurate diagnosis and give you some advice on how to take care of the hamster.
Glaucoma
Winter white hamsters are more prone to glaucoma. There is no complete cure for this condition. However, a veterinarian can use eye drops to reduce hamster discomfort.
Cheek Pouch Problems
The cheek pouches (small pouches on a hamster's cheeks used to store and transport food) can be punctured, stuffed, or bitten. Symptoms include the inability to spit things out and the inability to flip out the cheek pouch (one is facing outward). When you notice these symptoms, you should take it to see a doctor immediately.
It is advisable to feed hamsters less high-protein food on a regular basis to prevent cheek pouch problems. Because if there are cheek pouches, it is easy for high-protein food that the hamster cannot finish in one sitting to rot and deteriorate, leading to the symptoms mentioned above.
1. Care Tips: Overall, the care difficulty for black bear hamsters is not high, but it is not something that can be easily accomplished if you want to raise them well. Before raising them, parents should prepare a cage of appropriate size for them, preferably not made of wire, as it is easy to scratch the little mouse. However, it can reduce the chance of bacterial growth. Like most small rodents, black bear hamsters have a gnawing habit. Parents can place some snacks, fruits, or vegetables that they like to eat on the bottom of the cage to pass their boring time!
2. Feeding Tips: Black bear hamsters have a variety of food to eat, but their favorite food is bread. Parents can go to the market or specialty stores to buy bread. When feeding, it is best to feed it by hand, which can enhance the bond between you and your hamster, and more importantly, make it trust you more. If your hamster refuses to eat or shows adverse reactions, it is likely that they are in their estrous period. During this time, it is best not to disturb them resting, otherwise it will be detrimental to black bear hamster production!
Hamsters also have thick fur on their bodies. Although hamsters often groom themselves, their fur is not always perfectly clean due to various factors. Therefore, owners need to regularly groom their hamsters' fur. Since hamsters are small in size, grooming their fur is a simple task for owners and can be completed with just a little bit of time.
Strictly speaking, owners can groom their hamsters' fur every day if they have the time. However, for busy owners, grooming once every 1-2 weeks is also acceptable. During the spring and autumn seasons when hamsters shed, it is necessary to groom them more frequently. The tools for grooming hamsters' fur are also simple, such as using a toothbrush, towel, and a small comb of appropriate size.
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