The Golden Hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus ) is a small rodent that does not exceed 20 centimetres in length and 130 grams in weight; it is one of the most common domestic animals, although its “wild” origins are to be found in the desert and remote lands of Syria. In this article we will discover the characteristics of this little animal and some curiosities about it.
Characteristics of the Golden Ciceto
But what are the characteristics of the Golden Hamster? Adult specimens weigh from 100g to 125g, about 13 cm long, are covered with a soft honey-colored fur, while at birth, the puppies are completely hairless, blind and weigh around 3g. The color of the coat appears golden or dotted with black, with a dull white belly, rounded body shape, lively and round eyes, small tail. Inside the mouth it has pockets to store and transport food to the den. To distinguish a male from a female it is important to observe the distance between the genital organ and the anus. In fact, in the male the distance is almost double that of the female.
Females are generally slightly larger than males and can tolerate their presence only during the mating season, potentially throughout the year, since the fertile period occurs on average one day out of four. After about 16 days of gestation, the female can give birth to up to 8 young. In the wild and in captivity, golden hamsters are solitary animals and must be raised separately .
This small rodent is widespread throughout the world, both as a pet and as a laboratory guinea pig, but in nature, wild specimens colonize only a small and limited area of the Middle East; their territory is mainly represented by cultivated countryside areas, where water and food resources are abundant.
The Golden Hamster, like all other hamsters, is a predominantly nocturnal animal, therefore very active in the evening and at night; particularly sociable and adaptable to any domestic environment, the Golden Hamster turns out to be a nice playmate for our children.
How long does the golden hamster live?
Anyone wondering how long a golden hamster lives should know that this little animal has a life expectancy of between 2 and 3 years, however, in some exceptional cases, it can live up to 7 years.
It may seem like a short lifespan, yet it is an extraordinary longevity for a small mammal raised in captivity, given that in the wild it does not have an easy existence and is often a tasty morsel for birds of prey (hawks), snakes and other common predators.
Taking care of this small rodent is not complicated at all, you just need to keep under control several important elements, such as: a quiet and clean habitat, fresh food and water and the possibility of moving in adequate spaces (an excellent expedient for its physical activity is the wheel hanging from the cage). In this way, the metabolism and psycho-physical well-being of the animal will be favored.
What does the Golden Hamster eat?
What does the Golden Hamster eat ? We are dealing with a granivorous animal , therefore, its diet must be based on cereals and seeds, such as: oats, corn, rice, chickpeas, wheat, barley and lentils. It would be advisable not to overdo the quantity of legumes, as being particularly rich in proteins, vitamins, iron and antioxidants, they could cause serious irritation to the delicate intestinal mucosa of this small rodent.
The food that the Golden Hamster can instead consume in larger quantities is undoubtedly millet. Some small portions of fresh vegetables can be administered twice a day, combined with some dried fruit (mostly walnuts or hazelnuts), only once a week.
Let’s see, therefore, in detail, the type of vegetables most suitable for its nutritional program:
- All types of broad-leaf salads
- Carrots
- Fresh peas
- Tomatoes (without seeds, green parts and stem)
- Celery
- Fennel
- Cucumber
- Soybean sprouts
- Green beans
- Valerian
- Red Radicchio
- Brussels sprouts
Fresh vegetables must be washed, dried and free of any type of seasoning, otherwise they would be difficult to digest and would cause serious gastrointestinal problems to our little friend. In addition to dried fruit, in order to ensure a sufficient quantity of proteins, it is advisable to add soy yogurt to the main meals, in the dose of a tablespoon, once every two weeks, or half a teaspoon 2 times a week.