Hamsters

Question 1

What is a hamsters life span?

Answer 1

2-3 years

Question 2

What is an adult hamsters body weight?

Answer 2

80-120g

Question 3

What is a hamsters body temp?

Answer 3

36.2-37.5*C

Question 4

What is a hamsters respiratory rate?

Answer 4

70-80 b/min

Question 5

What is a hamsters pulse rate?

Answer 5

280-412 b/min

Question 6

What age is a hamster sexually mature?

Answer 6

6-10 weeks

Question 7

What is a hamsters gestation period?

Answer 7

16 days

Question 8

What type of young do hamsters produce?

Answer 8

Altricial young

Question 9

What diet do hamsters have?

Answer 9

Omnivores

Question 10

Do hamsters perform coprophagia?

Answer 10

Yes but less active as they are omnivores.

Question 11

Are hamsters solitary or social animals?

Answer 11

Solitary

Question 12

Are hamsters nocturnal?

Answer 12

Yes.
They see 14 hours of night and 10 hours of daylight.

Question 13

At what temperature do hamsters go into temporary hibernation?

Answer 13

5*C or lower.

Question 14

What happens when hamsters go into temporary hibernation?

Answer 14

Their body temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate lower.
They can remain sensitive to touch during this period.

Question 15

What is the comfortable temperature and humidity range for hamsters?

Answer 15

20-24*C
54-55% humidity

Question 16

Hamster External Genitalia
Explain the male hamsters external genitalia

Answer 16

The anogenital distance is longer in males than females.
No nipples in males.
Male has large external testes which are retained in the scrotum by fat pad.
Testes shrink in the winter.

Question 17

Hamster Digestive System
How often do hamsters feed?

Answer 17

Every 5 minutes, followed by a 2 hour fast.

Question 18

Hamster Digestive System
What is the daily food and water intake for a hamster?

Answer 18

5-7g of food
10ml of water

Question 19

Hamster Digestive System
What is the dental formula of a hamster?

Answer 19

I1/1, C0/0, PM0/0, M3/3 x2 = 16 teeth

Question 20

Hamster Digestive System
What is the cheek pouch used for?

Answer 20

Transport food, bedding, and young when in danger.

Question 21

Hamster Digestive System
What are some attributes of the cheek pouch?

Answer 21

Highly distensible.
Can extend as far as the scapula.
4-8mm wide when empty and 20mm wide when full.

Question 22

Hamster Digestive System
What is the stomach comprised of?

Answer 22

Stomach has 2 compartments: Non-glandular and glandular. They are distinguished by muscle sphincter.
Fore stomach (non-glandular) is used to moisten food. Food stays here for 1 hour.
Glandular stomach is where chemical digestion occurs.

Question 23

Hamster Digestive System
Can hamsters regurgitate?

Answer 23

No as the ridge between the oesophagus and stomach makes regurgitation of food material almost impossible.

Question 24

Hamster Housing
What should the enclosure be made out of and why?

Answer 24

Solid walled and bottom cage made of plastic. Not wire mesh as they can climb and fall causing injury.
Metal mesh lid for ventilation.

Question 25

Hamster Housing What enrichment can be provided in the enclosure?

Answer 25

Fruit-tree wood, cardboard boxes to chew, toilet roll runner for tunnels, exercise wheels (made of solid construction to prevent trapping limbs), scatter feeding or hiding food.

Question 26

Hamster Housing What is the ideal temperature?

Answer 26

Ideal - 19-23*C Below 5-6*C will cause hibernation Above 29*C will cause heat stress

Question 27

Hamster Housing What bedding should be used?

Answer 27

Peat, sawdust, shredded paper (not newspaper as toxic) or wood shavings.

Question 28

Hamster Housing What bedding should be avoided and why?

Answer 28

Cotton wool as they can ingest. Hay as wisps can entangle limbs.

Question 29

Hamster Housing What can be done to keep hamsters clean?

Answer 29

Provide sand baths of fine silver sand.

Question 30

Hamster Nutrition What should their diet consist of?

Answer 30

Commercial hamster mix - 18% protein for adults - 24% protein for nursing mother and young Supplemented with high protein such as hard-boiled eggs, meal worms, nuts, seeds. Treats low in moisture content such as broccoli, pear, apple, or parsley. Avoid seeds with husks as can damage mucous membranes of cheek pouches.

Question 31

Hamster Nutrition How big should a hamsters portion be?

Answer 31

Hamsters hoard food so should be fed in small quantities. Hoards should be checked for mouldy food.

Question 32

Hamster Nutrition What should food and water be provided in?

Answer 32

Ceramic food bowls to prevent gnawing. Drip water feeder checked daily for blockages and leaks.