Information on Teddy Bear Hamster

Identification

• In the rodent family, Syrian hamsters belong to the golden hamster species, Mesocritcetus auratus. Teddy bear hamsters, a type of Syrian hamster, are also called fancy hamsters or longhair hamsters, because their long, soft hair resembles stuffed toy teddy bears. Teddy bear hamsters are also referred to as "angora hamsters." Syrian hamsters are native to the Middle East and are often used for scientific studies. A scientist first smuggled Syrian hamsters to England in the 1930s. They were introduced to the United States shortly after that. Selective breeding by enthusiasts has created more than 50 varieties of Syrian hamsters, with a wide variety of coat lengths and colors.

Characteristics

• Teddy bear hamsters are easily recognized by their long, fluffy coat. The average body size of an adult Teddy Bear hamster is 4 to 5 inches long. The natural coat color of Syrian hamsters, including teddy bear hamsters, is golden brown, with the hairs a combination of darker and lighter tones. From the jaw to the ear, they have a dark marking on their cheeks. Selective breeding has created a number of color variations. Teddy bear hamsters reach maturity at 6 weeks and prefer to live alone. They will fight viciously if housed together. Teddy bear hamsters live 2 to 3 years.

Considerations

• Teddy bear hamsters' long coats require a bit of extra care. They should be kept clean and their cage dry. Teddy bear hamsters may be more susceptible to wet tail sickness than other hamsters. This highly contagious disease is caused by bacteria and characterized by diarrhea and listlessness. Teddy bear hamsters, like most hamsters, should be properly socialized through frequent gentle handling so that they become gentle pets. Any hamster that is not accustomed to interacting with humans may bite.

Behavior

• Teddy Bear hamsters are easy to tame and handle with gentle, frequent attention. They are good-natured. Teddy bear hamsters may take a few weeks to get used to a new person or a new cage. They are nocturnal, like all hamsters, but will have short periods of activity during the day.

Needs

• Teddy Bear hamsters are voracious chewers. Their cage should be hamster-safe and not have plastic parts or edges that they can chew. Some plastic cages are made specifically for hamsters, and are designed to withstand their need to gnaw. Wire cages are also suitable, and glass cages are acceptable, although difficult to clean. All Syrian hamsters will chew through wood. Like other Syrian hamsters, teddy bear hamsters can jump fairly high and should live in a covered cage that is escape-proof. Teddy bear hamsters like to burrow and will be happiest with bedding in which they can nest. Commercial varieties of bedding work well, and paper towels and cardboard toilet rolls provide distraction for a busy teddy bear hamster.

  Teddy bear hamsters will eat commercial hamster food, augmented with fresh fruit, vegetables and sunflower seeds. Hamsters need a constant source of fresh water, preferably from a side-mounted water bottle to help keep bedding dry. A running wheel or interconnecting exercise tunnels provide exercise and entertainment.

Warning

• Because they will chew everything in their cage, teddy bear hamsters should not be given toys that will harm them if ingested. Wool and other fabrics are not digestible and could trap a hamster. Straw and hay gets moldy and has sharp edges. Cedar and pine are toxic. Do not feed chocolate to a hamster, either.