Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Hamster


Animals Unique | Hamster | Hamsters are thought to be originally from the desert lands of east Asia, Including hamster species such as the common Syrian hamster and the miniature Russian dwarf hamster. Hamsters in the wild growing niche to spend most of their time digging and foraging for food.

 
Today, hamsters are commonly kept as pets hamster with the average household getting to around 2 or 3 years old. Hamsters are thought to be easy to keep first pets for children due to the hamsters quite nature, small size and calm temperament.

Hamsters are solitary animals. Some types of hamster are so solitary that they will fight to the death if more than one hamster is in the same territory.

 
Hamsters in the wild are nocturnal animals as the hamsters spend the daytime hours in burrows underground in order for the hamster to avoid the many predators within the natural environment of the hamster.The hamster will leave the safety of its underground Burrow in the night when it is dark and the temperature is cooler in order to search for food.

Hamsters use their large cheek pouches to store food that the hamster finds so that the hamster can take the food back to the stash in the underground Burrow. Nuts, seeds, vegetables, grass, fruits and berries are all part of the natural diet of the hamster.

 
There are more than 20 different species of hamsters found in the wild (and even more in the commercial pet market). The Russian dwarf hamsters are among the smallest species of hamster Russian dwarf hamsters with adult rarely growing to more than 10cm in length. The more common Syrian hamster is the largest species of hamster Syrian hamster and some individuals have been known to grow to nearly 30cm long, although the average size of a Syrian hamster is normally around 20cm.

 
Many species of hamsters are very fast at running so that they are Able to escape from oncoming predators. Due to the shape and size of the hind feet of the hamster, hamsters are Often Able to run as Quickly backwards as they can forwards, the roomates Allows Easily the hamsters to escape in their burrows.

Hamsters inhabit semi-desert regions around the world with the soft ground providing an excellent material for the hamster to Burrow in. The Burrow of a hamster Often consists of many tunnels and chambers, Including separate areas for the hamster to eat and sleep in.

 
Hamster Foot Facts

The hamster has two front feet that are shaped more like hands and the hamster uses its front feet to hold and Forage for food.
The two back feet of the hamsters are slightly larger than the front feet and are used to balance and support the hamster when it sits up.
The delicate shape of the back feet of the hamster enable the hamster to run not only forwards but also backwards so that the hamster can escape into burrows Easily.
The hands of the hamsters are well adapted to their purpose as they have five toes on each hand, where the feet of the hamster only have three.
Hamsters have soft pads on the bottom of their paws that help them to run smoothly, and long nails on the end of each toe roomates helps the hamster to grip.

 
Hamster Teeth Facts

As hamsters are rodents, their teeth are growing all the time so hamsters must grind their teeth down to stop them from getting too long by gnawing on something hard.
Hamsters have 16 teeth that continuously grow to give the hamster an advantage if it loses a tooth.
Unlike many other species of animal baby hamsters are born with a full set of teeth and keep the same teeth for their whole lives.
Hamsters have cheek pouches that they store food in when they are out foraging and empty their pouches later on so that they can eat their stored food.
A hamster is Able to carry its own bodyweight in food in its cheeks and takes then creates the secret stashes of food to Ensure that the hamster never runs out.
 
 
Hamster Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Genus: Mesocricetus
Scientific Name: Mesocricetus auratus
Type: Mammal
Diet: Omnivore
Size: 5-28cm (2-11in)
Weight: 100-900g (3.5-32oz)
Top Speed: 6km / h (4mph)
Life Span: 2-3 years
Lifestyle: Solitary
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Colour: Tan, Brown, White, Black
Skin Type: Fur
Favourite Food: Seeds
Habitat: Dry deserts and sand dunes
Average Litter Size: 8
Main Prey: Seeds, Nuts, Berries
Predators: Owl, Hawk, Snakes
Special Features: Food storage pouches and the ability to run backwards

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