Russian Hamster : one of the few in the Cricetidae family that can be considered a pet. Among crested rats and white-tailed mice, among over 500 species, he, the Russian hamster , has earned the okay. Yes, he can live happily with us humans, in our homes, in our hearts. Small and soft, the Russian hamster has won over many and makes them beat every day, spinning on his wheel, a tireless companion.
Russian hamster: scientific name
The scientific name of the Russian hamster is Phodopus campbelli , while informally it is also called Russian bear , and, trust me, it comes from the north-east of Russia, from southern Siberia and central Asia, some subspecies are found in northern China where they can benefit from the very dry climate. Accustomed to certain temperatures, once indoors, with a temperature around 20°, the Russian hamster stays awake all year round.
It is not surprising, given that outside the bars it prefers steppe and desert areas, if not the desert itself, how will it be wandering in the rooms of a house where life, people and vegetation sprout? We must try to create a habitat that stimulates our Russian hamster friend without intimidating and disgusting him. We will see how, it is simpler than it sounds.
Russian Hamster: Origins
Let’s start to know it from its origins, or rather from its arrival in civilization, ours. The Russian hamster made its debut in the Western market, around the seventies, starting from England, to meet a wide diffusion.
Characteristics of the Russian Hamster
As for its characteristics, the Russian Hamster is recognizable both by its rounded body with a straight backbone and by its light gray color, with shades of red and with a white belly and legs. To help even the less experienced, this rodent also has a black stripe on its back that runs along its entire spine. Almost as if it had been hit by a pirate of the road in its entire length, or almost, of 8 cm. A Russian hamster reaches a maximum of 10-12 cm.
Small, yes, these Russian hamsters, and they often take advantage of it to try to escape. Nothing personal, let’s not take it personally, but if they find a crack or a way to freedom… how can we not understand them? The problem is that in this way our sweet friend becomes an easy prey, and not only of the euphoria and enthusiasm that characterize him. In addition, in fact, he also has a restless and curious character , and lets himself be handled without too many problems, all of which does not help.
Being docile is typical of the Russian hamster , which is therefore easy to raise. Here is a good little companion even for children, just give them a few tips to avoid bites. It is true that it is not a rodent particularly inclined to perform such gestures, but it is still a rodent: it is better to educate our little ones to what even small animals can do, having a good set of teeth.
Even we, no longer small, should approach this sweet creature with caution, accustoming him to our presence without imposing it. Slowly, little by little, caressing him gently and without invading him, we can make him understand that we understand each other. And become playmates, companions on the wheel, of sleepless nights. He, the Russian hamster, is a specialist in the small hours.
Of course, in fact, because the Russian hamster has the reputation of being a lazy animal. Even if when raised indoors, it does not hibernate, the Russian hamster remains a nocturnal animal. Being behind bars, it lives less. Compared to its wild brother, its life expectancy plummets, halves, from 4 to two years.
Another obsession, in addition to the late hours, is personal hygiene. Yes, the Russian hamster is a real hygienist. He spends a lot of time washing and cleaning himself and it comes naturally to him to do his business in a corner of the cage. Better for us that we clean it, right?
Clean, independent, smart, anarchic, insomniac: single character? No, it is not necessarily true, but if the intention is to mate it, it is advisable to buy a pair from the beginning otherwise forms of aggression may occur. In general, as you can imagine, it is a solitary animal: once it has met its partner to reproduce, the Russian hamster continues on its own, as a single, even if at each birth the female gives birth to 6 or even 12 babies. There are couples that reach 20, and then they separate without problems, at home, without too many regrets or feelings of guilt.
Hamster Feeding
No guilt even about food and nutrition : the Russian hamster is omnivorous and the more varied its diet, the better. The ideal is a mixture of a mix of pellets, food with calculated nutritional intake but without the opportunity to choose, and a more conciliatory intake of seeds and cereals with the addition of vegetables and fruit.
Especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but in general they are never harmful, animal proteins, to be taken through biscuits and dog biscuits every now and then, not frequently, but regularly. In the daily menu of the Russian hamster are also placed “breaks” based on fresh vegetables, such as carrots, cauliflower, apple, but always in moderate doses as well as bread and biscuits: never more than once a week.
The Russian hamster ‘s preferences are for sunflower seeds, barley, oats, soy, wheat, while as for fruit, he is crazy about grapes, cherries, apricots, apples, strawberries, pears, plums… understandable, right? Vegetables are also very welcome: the Russian hamster eats all types of salad, without grumbling as many of us would do, and then adds carrots, tomatoes, fennel without disdaining cooked vegetables.
You can also introduce an egg into the diet of the Russian hamster , but not more than once a week. This variation, like any other you have in mind to do, removing foods that are taboo for him, should be done in moderation, always offering dry food , so as not to cause gastrointestinal problems in the animal. Serious problems with the teeth, however, can occur if they are neglected. Just make available to our Russian hamster pieces or logs of untreated wood and avoiding pine and cedar, thus giving him the opportunity to grind his teeth.
Russian Hamster: Cage
After food, here is the accommodation: a cage. Even if the Russian hamster likes to roam, it is small and needs to be kept under control. Who will find it around the house? To make it feel at ease, while aware of its state of captivity, it is better to choose a welcoming cage also equipped with small “games” to allow our little friend to keep fit.
How to Train a Russian Hamster
Neat, cute, affectionate, trainable: but do these rodents from Russia end up acting like perfectionists? No, they also have something to hide. Just look at their faces, or rather their cheeks: they have pockets to store food in the nest and eat it calmly. In fact, the English name “hamster” comes from the German “hamstern” which means “to accumulate”.