Last Updated on February 10, 2024 by Aftab Tariq
Teddy Bear Hamsters, often called Syrian hamsters, are charming little creatures that make wonderful pets for children and companions for people of all ages. These herbivores love fruits, vegetables, and grains, which are essential to their diet.
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Teddy bear hamsters belong to the hamster species and are among the most popular names for keeping hamsters as pets.
Their fluffy appearance and gentle nature make them an ideal choice for families. So, if you’re thinking about getting a pet, consider these adorable hamsters, as the result will be a delightful addition to your home. Leonardo da Vinci once said:
“The smallest feline is a masterpiece”
What Constitutes a Teddy Bear Hamster?
Teddy Bear Hamsters are essentially long-haired Syrian Hamsters, also known as golden hamsters or fancy bears. Their scientific name is Mesocricetus Auratus. These charming furballs originate from Syria and are classified under the Mammalia class and Cricetidae family.
AppearanceÂ
Teddy Bear Hamsters feature a compact, barrel-shaped body, a short tail covered in dense fur, resembling teddy bears. They have large ears, dark round eyes, a small pink nose, and short legs. Due to their limited eyesight, they rely on scent glands near their hips for navigation. Additionally, these hamsters possess continuously growing sharp teeth, which serve as a defensive mechanism against potential predator.
Syrian Hamsters exhibit a variety of colors and patterns. Their fur can be a solid color or a combination of colors, often featuring predominantly white bellies. Possible fur colors include solid black, brown, gold, or dark grey. Teddy Bear Hamsters showcase a diverse range of appearances with endless color combinations, and they may display markings distributed across their bodies.
Teddy Bear Hamsters Lifespan
Teddy Bear Hamsters typically have a lifespan of 2 to 3 years, but with proper care, they may exceed this range. The Guinness World Records notes a hamster that lived for about 7 years. These hamsters can reach sizes of 4 to 7 inches and weigh between 3.5 and 5.3 ounces. Generally, female hamsters have a longer lifespan and show more significant growth compared to their male counterparts.
Living Environment
Teddy bear hamsters, which originally come from Syria, prefer warm and dry environments. In their natural habitat, they create burrows to stay cool and safe from predators during the day, coming out at night to search for food. While some of these hamsters still exist in Syria, their population is decreasing.
When kept as pets, teddy bear hamsters can be housed in either a tank or a cage with bedding made of shredded paper or aspen shavings. They enjoy burrowing into the bedding or making a little pile in one corner. It’s essential to keep them in a warm room without any cold drafts for their comfort and well-being.
Weather and Environment
Teddy Bear Hamsters thrive in dry and warm conditions. They are known for their bravery and curiosity, so it’s important to provide them with a spacious Teddy Bear Hamsters cage to explore and stay content. Keeping them in small cages can lead to unhappiness and potential health issues.
Options for suitable housing include aquariums or wire cages. Given their natural inclination to burrow, it’s recommended to use 3 to 4 inches of shredded paper or aspen shavings as bedding for their enjoyment and comfory.
Reproduction
Hamsters are rodents with frequent and short reproductive cycles. Female hamsters quickly become pregnant after mating, and their gestation period lasts for about 15 to 20 days. Normally, they have 2 to 3 litters per year, with each litter averaging 8 to 12 pups. In a single litter, a female hamster may have a maximum of 20 pups.
What is Suitable for a Teddy Bear Hamster’s Diet?
Teddy Bear Hamsters are often misidentified as herbivores, but they are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and meat, including insects. As a pet owner, there’s no need to worry, as they are adaptable and not very choosy about their food.
To ensure they receive the necessary nutrients and minerals, you can provide commercially available muesli or pellets from a local pet store. Additionally, incorporating a small amount of fresh fruits and herbs into their diet can serve as a beneficial supplement. Here are some recommended food options:
Optimal vegetables: carrots, cabbages, cauliflower, and broccoli
Recommended fruits: pears, apples, chunks of peaches
Foods to steer clear of: tomatoes, chestnuts, avocados, onions, grapes, mushrooms, and apple seeds
Adequate water intake: 2 to 4 teaspoons daily
Ensure that your hamster receives fruits only two or three times a week and vegetables about four times. Although they don’t require much water, it’s important to always provide fresh water.
If your hamster experiences digestive issues or you’re unsure about what to feed, consider using the food tracker on the harpersatelie.
Fancy Bear Hamsters need food with 5% fat and 16% protein. They store items in their cheeks for bedding. Be cautious with oranges and citrus, as they can cause stomach issues.
Compare Fancy Hamsters and Teddy Bear Hamsters
Fancy hamsters and teddy bear hamsters share many similarities. Both are Syrian hamsters kept as pets, enjoying the same food and being active at night. However, there are distinct differences between them.
The most notable distinction lies in their fur. While teddy bear hamsters have long hair, fancy hamsters sport shorter coats. This impacts their care, with teddy bear hamsters requiring gentle cleaning with a soft toothbrush to remove shavings and dirt from their long fur.
Another contrast involves pricing. Some pet stores may charge more for fancy hamsters, claiming they are of higher quality. In reality, there isn’t much difference, and fancy hamsters are actually easier to care for due to their shorter hair, requiring less maintenance than the coats of teddy bear hamsters.
Teddy Bear Hamsters price, ranging from $19.90 to a maximum of $75, providing options for every budget. Find Teddy Bear Hamsters at Petco for adorable companionship. Find Teddy Bear Hamsters for sale online and bring home a cuddly companion today. Looking for Teddy Bear Hamsters for sale Cape Town.
Fascinating Teddy Bear Hamster Facts
Here are some intriguing facts about Teddy Bear Hamsters:
- They are small herbivores that are active primarily during the night.
- Teddy Bear Hamsters make excellent domestic pets due to their friendly and interactive nature.
- Originating from Syria, they are often referred to as Syrian Hamsters.
- These hamsters have cheek pouches to carry food and bedding material, which is an interesting adaptation for survival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are teddy bear hamsters good pets?
Where is it Possible to Purchase a Teddy Bear Hamster?
Do Hamsters Get Along with Teddy Bears?
What is an Ami Bear Hamster?
Can Teddy Bear Hamsters Live Together?
Once teddy bear hamsters reach sexual maturity at around 8 weeks old, it’s important to keep them in separate cages to avoid continuous fighting, regardless of whether they are two males, two females, or a male and female pair. The breeding pair only come together for mating, after which the fighting resumes.
Are Teddy Bear Hamsters Friendly?
Teddy Bear Hamsters can be friendly pets, especially with gentle handling and socialization from a young age. However, like any pet, their friendliness can vary from one individual to another.
Are Teddy Bear Hamsters Syrian?
Teddy Bear Hamsters are cute little herbivores that are active at night and make great pets. They originally come from Syria, which is why they’re sometimes called Syrian Hamsters. One cool thing about them is that they can carry food and bedding in their cheek pouches.
What Can Teddy Bear Hamsters Eat?
Teddy Bear Hamsters can eat hamster pellets, fresh fruits and veggies like apples and carrots, lean protein like cooked chicken, and occasional treats such as nuts and seeds. Avoid sugary or fatty foods and ensure they have access to fresh water at all times.
Where to Buy Teddy Bear Hamsters?
You can buy Teddy Bear Hamsters from pet stores, reputable breeders, or online platforms specializing in small pets.
Do Teddy Bear Hamsters Bite?
Like other hamsters, Teddy Bear Hamsters may bite, particularly when they’re scared or surprised. Since hamsters don’t see well, it’s best to talk to your pet hamster before you touch or hold it.
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