Syrian Hamster belongs to the highest level of large hamsters. Its breeding process is relatively complex, mainly through Golden Hamster to Golden Bear Hamster to Bear Cub Hamster, and finally cultivated Syrian Hamster. It has completely become an independent breed and cannot be crossbred with lower breeds, which can lead to genetic degradation and personality variations.
Syrian Hamster has a gentle temperament and a gorgeous and noble coat, which is very popular and a rare pet breed among hamsters. It is an excellent long-haired breed of hamster.
Chinese name: 西施熊
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Suborder: Myomorpha
Family: Muridae
Genus: Cricetulus
Species: Cricetulus griseus
Reproduction: Viviparous
Habit: Solitary, nocturnal
Diet: Omnivorous
Syrian Hamster has 44 chromosomes. Its body length is about 12 to 20 centimeters and weighs about 90 to 140 grams. There is a slight difference in size and weight between males and females, with females generally being slightly larger and heavier. The average lifespan of Syrian Hamsters is 2 to 3 years. They can mate and give birth throughout the year, with an average gestation period of 15 to 17 days, which is much shorter than that of Dwarf Hamsters. Each litter typically consists of 4 or more pups, with a maximum of 17. The weaning period for pups is 20 to 25 days. Syrian Hamsters weigh only about 2 grams at birth and reach sexual maturity in approximately 7 weeks, at which point they can mate (for the health of the hamsters, we recommend waiting for 3 months before mating them). Their body temperature is around 37 to 39 degrees Celsius, and their long fur gives them a warm and fleshy feel when held in the hands. Unlike other hamsters, the scent gland of a Syrian Hamster is located at the lower back. There are many misconceptions about their physical characteristics, with some beginners mistakenly believing that red-eyed hamsters are also Syrian Hamsters. Indeed, sometimes the offspring of Syrian Hamster breeding may have red eyes. These offspring have the same appearance and fur quality as Syrian Hamsters, but on professional websites, you can easily find out that red-eyed hamsters are disqualified, meaning they are considered as defective specimens. They can only be called bear cubs. Syrian Hamsters can only have black eyes; any other colored eyes cannot be called Syrian Hamsters. Some colors are unique to Syrians and are not found in long-haired hamsters, and some colors found in long-haired hamsters are not found in Syrians. Syrians do not have red eyes, while some long-haired hamsters do. Male Syrian Hamsters can grow fur up to 8 centimeters long all over their bodies, while long-haired hamsters cannot. However, in reality, Syrian Hamsters are also a type of long-haired hamster, but they have a more beautiful and gorgeous fur color, making them one of the more outstanding and attractive hamsters among long-haired breeds.
Recommended for the small pet hamster who loves it, it is not only required for the owner to provide them with a place to live and give them some food. In the process of raising them, attention should also be paid to ensuring the cleanliness and health of the pet hamster, and the basic requirement for raising small pets is to manage and take care of them scientifically.
1 Syrian hamsters bred by humans have a relatively weak constitution, especially in the gastrointestinal tract.
2 Dry food is the main diet. Excessive moisture from vegetables, fruits, and spoiled food can easily cause loose stools.
3 Feeding vegetables with excessive moisture can easily lead to diarrhea.
4 Hair loss without dandruff is a normal molt phenomenon.
Syrian Hamsters do not have excessive requirements for diet. As long as they are hungry, they will eat the remaining food or food that they don't usually like to eat. So when raising them, there is no need to be as pampered as other hamsters. It is recommended to provide cold boiled water for drinking.
The artificially bred Syrian Hamsters have relatively weak constitution, especially in the gastrointestinal tract. Dry food should be the main component of their diet. Excessive moisture from vegetables, fruits, and spoiled food can easily cause diarrhea.
It is normal for Syrian Hamsters to shed their fur without dandruff. They have a natural habit of living alone and will start playing with each other from around 10 days old. After weaning, they should be separated as soon as possible. Co-habitation between male and female hamsters is prohibited during non-mating periods.
Syrian Hamsters have strong escaping ability and memory. Once they meet the conditions for escape and succeed, the escape conditions must be destroyed, otherwise they will repeat the escape event. They have long sleeping hours and can sleep from 6 in the morning until 11 at night. If they live in a closed nest, it will become damp and affect their fur growth, so it is better to have a spacious nest for them.
Syrian Hamsters are large hamsters and different from smaller hamsters, they can be washed with water. The method is to give them a bath with warm water during the warm afternoon. They can be cleaned without using shower gel. Immediately use a hair dryer with warm air to dry them to prevent them from catching a cold. Generally, bathing them once every half a month is enough.
Syrian Hamsters can directly obtain moisture from plain water, but it is best to supplement their moisture with vegetables. Their favorites are lettuce, and cabbage and carrots are also recommended.
Hamsters are not nearsighted, but when they are at a high place, although they may hesitate to jump at first, after a while they become impatient and will try to jump down, resulting in more brain injuries. The symptom is walking unsteadily.
Syrian Hamster's body is also covered with thick and dense fur. Although the hamster often grooms and cleans its fur, due to various factors, the hamster's self-cleaning is not perfect. Therefore, the keeper also needs to regularly groom and clean the hamster's fur. Because the hamster is small in size, the method of grooming and cleaning the hamster's fur is very simple for the keeper, and it can be completed as long as the keeper can spare some time for the grooming work of the hamster.
Strictly speaking, as long as the keeper has time, they can groom the hamster's fur every day. But if it is a busy owner, they can groom it once every 1-2 weeks. However, when the hamster is changing fur in spring and autumn, it still needs frequent grooming. The tools for grooming the hamster's fur are also very simple, including a toothbrush, towel, and a small comb of suitable size.
Of course, in addition to grooming the hamster's fur, another way to help the hamster clean its fur is by bathing. Hamsters are naturally afraid of water, and they are also very resistant to bathing. The keeper does not need to bathe the hamster frequently, but when they find dirt on the hamster's fur, they should clean it in a timely manner. The keeper can use a towel dipped in some warm water to gently wipe the hamster's body and remove the dirt. If it is necessary to bathe the hamster, it is best to do it in warm weather, and after bathing, use a hairdryer to thoroughly dry the fur to prevent the hamster from catching a cold and getting sick.
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