What is a hamster?
A hamster is a mammal under the order Rodentia and the family Cricetidae. In other words, a hamster is a type of rodent. Hamsters have a small and stout body with a short tail and fur-covered feet. They are known to have large cheek pouches that they use to store and transport food.
In the wild, they live underground in burrows and travel out at night to look for food. So, are hamsters nocturnal? The answer is yes. Hamsters sleep in the morning and are active at night.
Why are hamsters popular pets?
Aside from cats or dogs, people often go for hamsters as their choice of pet. This makes sense as hamsters are relatively easy to take care of. They are small and take up little space – ideal for those who live in apartments. They are also sociable, making them easy to befriend.
A hamster’s average lifespan differs per type, but most live for only two to four years. This makes them ideal pets for those who aren’t sure about taking care of a pet for a long time.
How do you take care of pet hamsters?
Of course, there are still plenty of other factors to consider before getting a pet hamster. Whatever hamster type you choose, you will need to take care of them properly. Some basic tips for taking care of hamsters are:
Feed them the correct food.
All types of hamsters are omnivorous. They mostly eat seeds, crops, and other small insects. To take care of your pet hamster, you’ll have to feed them natural food aside from commercial hamster food. You can give them vegetables, fruits, and some nuts as well.
Citrus fruits, however, can upset their stomach, so avoid feeding them lemons, oranges, and lime.
Give them plenty of time and attention.
Hamsters are sociable creatures. They have a lot of energy, so they will want to play with you a lot. Some types of hamsters can get lonely, and this can stress them out and affect their physical health. When you’re adopting a hamster, be sure you invest your time and attention in them!
Prepare the right size for their cage.
Some types of hamsters are bigger than others. This means you’ll have to get a bigger cage for them, too. For smaller hamsters, you should still get a cage that has enough space. A cage that limits their movement isn’t good, especially since hamsters like to dig, burrow, and climb.
Do not house hamsters in the same cage.
Most types of hamsters are territorial. They don’t like sharing their shelter, food, and toys with other hamsters. With that, some can get aggressive and even attack other hamsters. If you have plans to adopt more than one pet hamster, then it is best to have separate cages.
Provide them with an exercise wheel and ball.
Providing your pet hamster with toys will keep them happy. Exercise wheels, for instance, will help them release energy and stay physically fit. Balls, climbing ladders, and tubes can also be great additions to your hamster cage. Be sure to get equipment that is big enough for your pet hamster’s size.
With this basic information out of the way, it’s now time to go over the different types of hamsters. If you think a hamster is the right pet for you, then keep on reading for everything you need to know about the different types of hamsters!
What are the different types of hamsters?
There are 19 different types of hamsters in total. They each come from different places and differ in size, color, and temperament. However, of the 19 hamster types, only five of them are commonly kept as household pets.
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