The Syrian hamster is the largest and most common of the hamster species kept as a pet and comes in a variety of different coat types, colors and patterns. They are also referred to as Teddy Bear, Fancy Bear, or a variety of other names used by pet store as a marketing strategy to charge extra.
The Syrian Hamster is a solitary animal and as it matures it develops a territorial nature that means it will not usually live with another hamster past 6 weeks of age and it will fight to the death if kept with a cage mate.
Syrian hamsters are crepuscular, which means they are more likely to be awake and active at dawn or dusk. They are friendly, curious creature who love to run, and are used to running miles in the wild. As such, a Syrian hamster requires space and the chance to run, by providing them a wheel.
The average lifespan of the Syrian Hamster is 18 months to 2 years.
Syrian hamsters can make excellent pets. They can be very active with great personalities. If raised and handled properly they'll be your friends for life.
Here are a few tips to get your pets started in their new home.
Healthy Pet, Happy Pet
Scientific evidence suggests that happiness and positive emotions can help make life longer and healthier. It is also scientifically proven that hamsters prefer larger spaces, larger wheels and things to overcome boredom. Therefore, making your hamster happy by providing him/her with proper care can lead him to be healthier and live longer.
A hamster needs a cage that has at least 600 square inches of unbroken floor space, which usually is around 30″x20” (measured at the bottom). The bigger the home the hamster is housed in, the happier the hamster will be, and the happier the hamster is, the healthier and longer it will live. In the wild hamsters run for many miles every night. Hamsters will not be happy or healthy in a small cage.
It is important to feed your hamster a healthy and balanced diet.The best options are Harlan Teklad lab blocks, which contain all the necessary nutrients and vitamins to keep your hamster healthy. In addition to lab blocks, Higgins Sunburst seed mix should be provided. Occasional vegetables and fruits, sunflower seeds, eggs and tofu can also be provided as treats.
Hamsters need things to do in their cage, otherwise they will get bored. A wheel of at least 10″ in diameter must be provided, along with hideaways, wooden bridges, tubes and play platforms. Also, providing a sand bath is a wonderful way of keeping your hamster along with the cage clean. Also, hamsters enjoy time outside their cage, which can be easily set up in a playpen.