Black-bellied hamster

Scientific name: Cricetus cricetus

English name: Black-bellied hamster

Also known as: Black-bellied hamster, European hamster, European golden hamster

Origin: Belgium, Central Europe, Russia

Body length: 20-34 cm

Tail length: 4-6 cm

Weight: 400-900 grams

Gestation period: 18-21 days

Litter size: 4-12

Weaning period: about 3 weeks

Lifespan: eight years (very long)

Black-bellied hamster, also known as European hamster, is native to a large area of Eurasia. Its distribution range is extensive, stretching from Belgium to the Altai Mountains and Russia. Written records about the black-bellied hamster can be traced back to 1976. In 1758, it was named the European hamster. Globally, it has always been the most notable rodent, and in some European countries, it is considered critically endangered. On June 9, 2011, the European Court of Justice ruled that France failed to protect the European hamster. The court stated that if France does not adjust its agricultural and urbanization policies to adequately protect it, the government will face fines of up to $24.6 million.

Loved by small pet enthusiasts, it is naturally intelligent and clever, and has a very gentle temperament. Despite its chubby appearance, it is much loved by many people. However, they are naturally timid and sensitive to food around them. Like other hamsters, they are greedy, sleepy, and often reproduce, so people describe them as pigs.

Mite

The source of mites is the contamination of the guinea pig's living environment. They mainly inhabit around the guinea pig's eyes and ears. Mites can cause mange, as if the mites eat away the guinea pig's fur, causing patchy baldness in the affected areas. Once mite symptoms are found, it is necessary to seek medical treatment and the general treatment method is to inject insecticidal injections. You can also apply a diluted solution of agricultural whitefly at a ratio of 1:100 to the affected area (it doesn't matter if the guinea pig licks a little). In addition, it is important to thoroughly disinfect the guinea pig's cage, otherwise the mites may come back again.

Bacterial Infection

The main symptom is the appearance of patchy baldness on the head, which is extremely similar to mite symptoms and sometimes even doctors cannot distinguish between them. This condition is caused by high humidity in the air, as well as long-term consumption of concentrated feed. This disease is similar to athlete's foot in humans, with skin flakes appearing on the skin.

Diarrhea

It is caused by gastrointestinal inflammation due to the consumption of contaminated food. The symptoms are obvious, with the stool being loose. If this symptom is found, it is necessary to seek medical treatment immediately. Diarrhea is quite dangerous for guinea pigs because sometimes we don't know which food is causing the diarrhea. If it is common diarrhea, medication can help, but if it is diarrhea caused by chemical poisoning, even if it is sent to a doctor immediately, it is difficult to save its life. So be very careful.

Flatulence

It is caused by consuming unsuitable food, such as pears. Flatulence can lead to asphyxiation and heart failure. Therefore, when the situation is severe, it is necessary to seek medical treatment early.

Constipation

It is caused by food being too dry and inadequate water intake. Simply increasing water intake and providing foods with high water content such as vegetables and fruits can cure it.

The black-bellied hamster has a strong reproductive ability. For them, the period of sexual maturity is about 40 days, and the pregnancy lasts about two months. They can give birth to about 7 young each time. The breeding period is not fixed and they can mate all year round. During this period, parents should pay special attention to their living diet and breeding environment, and try to provide a warm and comfortable breeding environment, which is conducive to their production! Food characteristics. Like most small rodents, black-bellied hamsters have a variety of foods. Weeds are naturally their favorite, followed by vegetables and vegetable leaves. When feeding, parents may consider adding some high-quality feed to the food, which is more beneficial to balance their diet. In addition, in the cold winter, parents can crush hay, peanut sprouts and other foods, and then add some bran, which can better meet the nutritional needs of black-bellied hamsters! Breeding environment. Generally speaking, the difficulty of breeding black-bellied hamsters is not high, but it is not a simple thing to raise them well. Before breeding, prepare a cage of suitable size for them, and place some snacks in it. This little creature loves to eat and sleep, and has a habit of gnawing. Parents should regularly let it play outside without worry that it will be lost. This hamster moves slowly and is very conspicuous.

The fur of the black-bellied hamster is relatively long and dense. The probability of getting dirty and tangled is much higher than that of ordinary hamsters, so it takes a little more effort to take care of them. As for the timing, it doesn't have to be fixed. When you see that their fur is dirty and frizzy, you can go and take care of it. Also, it is best to use specialized pet shampoo for their baths. After washing, immediately dry them off, usually by first using a dry towel to wipe them and then using a hairdryer to blow dry. If they don't take baths, you can also use dry cleaning powder on their bodies and then use a comb to remove any dirt.