Roborovski hamster

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Roborovski Hamster

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Cricetinae
Genus: Phodopus
Species: P. roborovskii
Binomial name
Phodopus roborovskii
(Satunin, 1903)

Roborovski's (Phodopus roborovskii) are the smallest and fastest of all hamsters commonly kept as pets. Distinguishing characteristics of the Roborovskis are the white spots where the eyebrows would be, and the lack of the dorsal stripe seen in all other dwarf hamsters. They live, on average, to three and a half years of age - the longest of any domestic hamster. Recently, a mutation has arisen producing a "husky", also known as "white-faced", phase. Breeding these lines with agouti Roborovskis produces a diluted appearance of their natural brown colour.

Contents

[edit] Habitat

Roborovski hamsters live in the wild around the Gobi Desert, throughout Mongolia's desert steppe and parts of northern China. They are particularly suited to the steppe, as they are highly efficient in their use of water (as evidenced by how they may pass particularly concentrated urine), so little vegetation is required. Here, they dig and live in burrows. These are usually steep tunnels and they live between 60 and 200cm below ground.[1]

[edit] History of Human Contact

Lt. Vsevolod Roborovski first made note of these hamsters. He discovered them on an expedition in July, 1894, though they were not studied scientifically for the best part of another decade, till Satunin made observations in 1903.[2] London Zoo imported them into the U.K. in the 1960s, but the first studied in Britain were imported in the 1970s from Moscow Zoo. (None of these hamsters, however, bore offspring.)[3] [4] Continental European countries had more success in breeding Roborovskis, however, and the Roborovskis currently in the U.K. are descendants of a batch imported from the Netherlands in 1990. They were imported in the U.S.A. in 1998[1], where they remain uncommon, though they are now commonly found in pet shops in several countries. In South Korea, they are almost as common as Winter white Russian dwarf hamsters in pet shops.

[edit] Pet Ownership

Roborovskis are not best suited as a pet for young children, being considerably more difficult to handle and tame than Syrian, Chinese or Russian (winter white or Campbell's) hamsters. They are very curious, easily startled, and generally timid. Roborovskis can indeed be hand-tamed if acquired young and individually accustomed to handling over time. This requires some patience. Roborovskis hardly ever bite but they will easily panic and jump or simply wriggle free. An escaped Roborovski can be a challenge to capture as they are so tiny and fast. Roborovskis are, however, extremely social and affectionate with each other, and when housed together from an early age, sleep in one place and indeed eat, play, etc. together. They have a very good temperament and rarely bite either each other or people, which makes them ideal for family pets. Their antics are constantly entertaining and they make excellent pets for those who want animals to watch rather than to handle.

Although generally nocturnal, are more likely to be active during the day than the more commonly-kept Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). They do not, however, like direct light or sunlight and will be more confident emerging in the daytime if their home can be kept in relative shade. Like most other small rodents, these hamsters cannot see by red light. Therefore, a "fireglow" bulb installed by their cage or tank, though invisible to them, will illuminate their night-time behaviour for fascinating observation. Roborovski hamsters have been reported running up to 20 miles a night in about 8 and a half hours.

Sometimes, if you have two or more Roborovskis, they might have occasional fights, though this is not usually cause for concern: these are most likely mock fights. It is only necessary to take action in the event of injury.

[edit] Housing

As they grow to be on average 4.5cm long - roughly the length of an adult human thumb - Roborovskis can easily squeeze through the bars of a standard hamster cage, and so careful consideration needs to be given to housing. The gaps between bars should be approximately 7mm in width. First-time owners are advised to enquire of pet shop owners or breeders as to the suitability of cages. The best cage for a roborovski hamster is a small tight bared open cage.Glass cages and sealed cages can be dangerous and can even lead to death on hot days.

[edit] Breeding

Roborovski hamsters may reach sexual maturity as early as 5 weeks, but usually do not breed until they are older. Females should not mate till they are closer to 4 months old, though males can breed at 3 months. The gestation period of Roborovski hamsters is usually 20-22 days, but can be up to 30 according to some sources. Litters are usually small, being typically of 4-6 pups, though larger litters have been reported. Pups can be weaned at 21 days; this is also a good age at which to separate male pups from females.

[edit] Sexing

Telling female and male Roborovskis apart is not easy. The problem is getting them into a position to view their genitals, as they are not comfortable being handled and are faster than other hamsters. The most common method is to immobilze them by holding them by the scruff of the neck. This should not cause pain if done correctly, as most will 'play dead' and stay very still when in this position. They should be held firmly, though not tightly, for as short a time as possible and not by the ears. However, this technique is not without risk, as an improper grip could cause permanent nerve damage. A much simpler and easier, but not as reliable, method is to put individual hamsters in clear containers and view them from beneath.

The two sexes have different openings: female openings are very close together and may even look like just one opening, while male openings are further apart. Males usually have a visible scent gland near the navel, above the two openings - this looks like a yellowish stain.

Failure to separate Roborovskis is likely to lead to pregnancy at about five weeks.

Roborovskis' facial markings and features differ notably from those of other hamsters.

Roborovskis are extremely social and like to rest and to sleep together.

Roborovskis are the smallest and fastest of all hamsters.

A Roborovski Hamster hiding in his sleeping area.

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ a b Website specifically about Roborovski hamsters
  2. ^ Dwerghamsters - Judith Lissenberg p.22-23
  3. ^ Konijnen en Knaagdieren Encyclopedie - Esther Verhoeff-Verhallen p.130-131
  4. ^ Petwebsite.com

[edit] Resources

  • Lissenberg, J. Dwerghamsters. Aanschaf, verzorging, Voeding, Fokken Zuidboek Producties: Lisse, The Netherlands: 2002
  • Verhoeff-Verhallen, E. Konijnen en Knaagdieren Encyclopedie Rebo Productions: Lisse, The Netherlands: 1997 Justin napierala

[edit] External links

[edit] Breeders


v • d • e
Hamsters