Djungarian hamster
The Djungarian hamster, also known as the striped hairy-footed hamster or winter white dwarf hamster, is a small rodent native to parts of Europe, North China, Siberia, and Mongolia. Typically measuring about 3.5 inches (90 mm) in length and weighing up to 1.5 ounces (45 grams), they are recognized for their brownish gray fur with a distinctive dark stripe along their backs and thick fur on their feet. These hamsters are more gentle and easier to handle compared to other types of hamsters, making them popular as pets. Djungarian hamsters are nocturnal and social creatures, often living in pairs or groups both in the wild and in captivity.
In their natural habitat, they create complex burrow systems, whereas pet Djungarian hamsters require sturdy cages made of metal or hard plastic to prevent them from chewing through softer materials. Their diet mainly consists of seeds, roots, grains, and fruits, and they can also eat insects like mealworms and crickets. While they are generally healthy, they are susceptible to certain health issues, such as pneumonia and diarrhea, and have a lifespan ranging from one to three years. Djungarian hamsters are not considered a threatened species, but they should be kept safe from larger household pets and hazards in the home.
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Djungarian hamster
Djungarian hamsters are more gentle and easier to handle than other striped hamsters. Although many people keep them as pets, Djungarian hamsters are still found in the wild in parts of Europe, North China, Siberia, and Mongolia. Djungarian hamsters are also called striped hairy-footed hamsters, winter white dwarf hamsters, and Siberian dwarf hamsters, amongst other names.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Genus: Phodopus
Species: Sungorus
Djungarian hamsters have brownish gray fur on their backs and white fur on their bellies. They are named after the dark brown stripe that runs down their backs, and the thick fur that covers their feet. Djungarian hamsters grow to be about 3 1/2 inches (90 millimeters) long and weigh up to 1 1/2 ounces (45 grams).
In the wild, Djungarian hamsters live in burrow systems of tunnels and chambers. As pets, Djungarian hamsters live in metal or hard plastic cages that should be kept in dry, warm, well-lit places out of direct sunlight. It is important that their cages be of hard plastic or metal because hamsters have very sharp teeth and will eat through anything soft. Djungarian hamsters are nocturnal. That means they sleep during the day and are active in the evenings and at night. Unlike golden hamsters, dwarf hamsters live in pairs or groups. In the wild, they stay in these groups and know each member of the group by its smell. If a pair of Djungarian hamsters is being kept as pets, they should not be separated for more than an hour. They will lose the ability to recognize the other hamsters' smell, and they will need to be moved to separate cages so they do not attack one another.
Djungarian hamsters are mainly herbivores, plant-eating animals. They eat seeds, roots, grain, and some fruit. Pet stores sell hamster mix that includes all of the necessary proteins and vitamins from those kinds of plants. Djungarian hamsters will also eat mealworms, crickets, and grasshoppers. These can also be purchased for pet hamsters. These hamsters, like all hamsters, have cheek pouches where they carry their food. In the wild, hamsters carry food in their cheek pouches and eat it later in their burrows. Pet hamsters sometimes move their food from one place in their cage to another by carrying it in their cheek pouches. Djungarian hamsters need to drink lots of water, but they should not get their bodies wet. Pet stores sell water bottles for hamsters. These bottles let the hamsters drink water without getting wet. In the wild, hamsters get their exercise from running around searching for food and building their burrows. Pet hamsters also need to exercise to stay healthy. It is important for a hamster to have an exercise wheel where it can run.
In the wild, Djungarian hamsters are preyed upon by wild cats, birds of prey, snakes, and any other larger meat-eating animals. Domesticated Djungarian hamsters are mainly in danger of being killed when they are outside of their cages. Larger pets, such as cats and dogs, might think the pet hamster is a toy or a mouse and kill it. Djungarian hamsters are also threatened by the dangers of getting stuck in air vents and under and behind doors. Some of the most dangerous health problems for Djungarian hamsters are diarrhea, colds, pneumonia, and wet tails.
Djungarian hamsters are old enough to mate when they are three to four months old. In some cases, they may begin mating as early as one month. They have a gestation period (duration of pregnancy) of between 20 and 22 days. The female then gives birth to a litter of five to 12 young. After one month, the young are independent. In the wild, they would leave the mother and make their own burrow systems at this time. Pet hamsters should each have their own cages after they are about five weeks old.
Djungarian hamsters have a life span of between one and three years. They are not a threatened species.
Bibliography
Kürthy, Alexander. “Djungarian Hamster - Facts, Diet, Habitat, & Pictures on Animalia.bio.” Animalia, 2024, www.animalia.bio/djungarian-hamster?letter=d#google‗vignette. Accessed 16 May 2024.
Zayas, Maria. “Dwarf Hamster Care Sheet.” PetMD, 24 Apr. 2023, www.petmd.com/exotic/dwarf-hamster-care-sheet. Accessed 16 May 2024.