HAMSTERS

The first hamsters were found in the Syrian desert by professor Aharoni in 1930. He found a female and her litter of 9 babies. He took them home and started breeding them until 1937 when he brought them to the United States and introduced them as pets. After World War II they started to become very popular.

The word "hamster" comes from the word hamster which means hoard. Hamsters are well named! They love to hoard their food where they can get to it when they want. Observe them, you will see them stuff their cheeks with food and take it somewhere else to hide and store it.

Hamsters live 2 1/2 to 3 years. They are solitary creatures and may fight among each other if not kept separate. Hamsters need a cage with plenty of room to run around in. It is important they get exercise. Otherwise they will become overweight and possibly paralyzed.  A 10 gallon aquarium is good housing for a hamster. Use pine shavings or aspen for the bottom of the tank. Never use sawdust or cedar shavings. Hamsters have a strong nesting instinct. Use hay, straw or shredded paper for them to build nest in their house.  For feed, we recommend a commercial hamster or rodent feed. We use Briskeys ROBUST RODENT. It is important whenever changing a hamsters diet, to do so very gradually. Otherwise, they will stress and get wet tail.