APICULTURE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MEDICINE

CAMPITA, HONOVEZA ANN

DVM-5

HAMSTER

H • Hamsters are a group of small, furry rodents within the

order Rodentia.
• They belong to the subfamily Cricetinae, which
A •
encompasses 19 species across seven different genera.
Known for their charming qualities, hamsters are
established as a popular choice for small household pets.

M • The golden or Syrian hamster stands out as the most well-

known species, commonly selected for companionship.

Beyond the Syrian hamster, pet enthusiasts often keep various dwarf

S hamster species such as:

1. Campbell's dwarf hamster

2. Winter white dwarf hamster

T 3. Roborovski hamster

Behavioral Traits:

E
- Unlike strictly nocturnal animals, hamsters are more
crepuscular, being active primarily during dawn and dusk.
- They remain underground during the day to elude
predators, ensuring their survival in the wild.

HAMSTER
APICULTURE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MEDICINE
CAMPITA, HONOVEZA ANN
DVM-5

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

HAMSTER
APICULTURE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MEDICINE
CAMPITA, HONOVEZA ANN
DVM-5
Adult size: 14-19 cm long, 114-150 g • Dentition: 2/2 incisors, 0/0 canines, 0/0 premolars, 3/3
Hamsters have thick compact bodies with short legs, a molars; continuously erupting incisors
short tail, large cheek pouches, and excess loose skin.
Reproduction:
Dorsal flank glands, which are more prominent in
males, are another noticeable external feature. Flank • Females: Vagina opens at 10 days, 4-day estrous cycle, rapid
glands are sebaceous glands that are responsive to corpus luteum development
androgens and used to mark territory. A reddish-gold • Males: Sexual maturity at 12 weeks, high serum cholesterol
dorsum with a grayish-white ventral surface is the most levels
common coloration pattern of the short and smooth
haircoat found in hamsters purpose-bred for biomedical Sensory Systems:
research. • Vision: Panoramic field, area centralis, two visual systems
(cortex and colliculus)
A sexually mature male is characterized by an
• Olfaction: Nasal turbinates, vomeronasal organ important for
enlarged, rounded posterior when the testes are in the
sexual behavior
scrotal sacs, a long anogenital distance, and a penis that is
retracted. The mature female has a pointed posterior end, a
short anogenital distance, a vaginal opening, and a separate BEHAVIOR:
urethral opening. As with other rodents, newborns can be
sexed by comparing the distance between the anus and Hamsters are animals that live singly or as a mother with litter
the genital papilla. The distance is greater in the male in the wild. Hamsters spend a significant amount of their time asleep
than in the female and the male genital papilla is larger (41%) and the amount of time spent sleeping increases with age.
than that of the female. When unexpectedly startled or awakened, hamsters may exhibit
aggressive behavior towards handlers as well as cage-mates.
Musculoskeletal System: Hamsters are prone to escape if the cage top is not secure. Gnawing
• Vertebral formula: 7 cervical, 13 thoracic, 6 lumbar, 4 sacral, and hoarding are common hamster behaviors and may be stereotypic
13-14 caudal (Arnold and Estep, 1994). In the laboratory setting, both male and
• 4 digits on front paws, 5 on hind paws female grouphoused animals may fight. If animals are group housed
when young, stable groups may be formed. Use of enrichment
Digestive System: devices such as PVC pipe and glass jars may reduce cage-mate
aggression (Arnold and Westbrook, 1998). Both male and female
• Oral cavity: Three-cornered lip flap, hard palate with 7 ridges,
hamsters build nests, with nest-building activity greatly increased
short soft palate
during pregnancy and lactation (Richards, 1966). The hormonal basis

HAMSTER
APICULTURE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MEDICINE
CAMPITA, HONOVEZA ANN
DVM-5
of nest building in female hamsters is dependent on the presence of • Use clean, nontoxic, absorbent bedding that is easy to
both estrogen and progesterone, unlike female mice where change, such as shredded paper or processed corncobs.
progesterone alone was sufficient to increase nest-building activity Avoid cedar chips and fresh pine due to potential toxicity
(Richards, 1969). • Offer nesting materials like plain white facial tissues or
unprinted paper towels cut into strips. Cotton balls can be

MANAGEMENT: •
dangerous if caught in the hamster's feet
Include a sturdy cardboard or wooden nesting box and
Enclosure: provide toys like short packing tubes or toilet paper tubes for
play and exercise
• Hamsters prefer enclosures with solid floors, deep bedding,
and abundant nesting material to mimic their natural
environment
• The enclosure should be secure as hamsters are excellent
escape artists. Once outside the cage, they are difficult to find
and may not return
• The enclosure should provide enough space for exercise,
feeding, and nesting. It should be at least 6 inches (15 cm)
high, but 8 inches (20 cm) or more is better to allow for
deeper bedding
• The floor should be solid with no wood that can be chewed
and no sharp edges that could injure the hamster. Smooth
plastic or glass walls are preferred over wire, which hamsters
can chew
• The enclosure should be easy to clean and sanitize, well-
ventilated, and easy to light. The ideal temperature range is
64°F to 79°F (17°C to 26°C) HOUSING:
Accessories: • Hamsters are typically housed singly, except during breeding
periods, as sexually mature females are territorial and
• Provide a water bottle with a sipping tip and a heavy, low-
aggressive, often fighting with cage mates
sided food container to prevent tipping and accidental
introduction of waste

HAMSTER
APICULTURE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MEDICINE
CAMPITA, HONOVEZA ANN
DVM-5
• Housing female hamsters together is not recommended, as • Alternatively, you can feed commercially available pellets
the larger breeding females may injure the smaller males. formulated for rabbits, which contain more fiber or
Except for breeding, it is safest to house hamsters individually "roughage" than diets for mice and rats. If providing rabbit
pellets, you may choose to mix them occasionally with mouse

DIET: •
and rat food
Healthy treats such as fruits, vegetables, or chewy treats sold
in pet stores can be given, but should be limited to no more
• In the wild, hamsters eat both meat and vegetables. For
than 10% of the total diet. Seeds should be given sparingly,
captive hamsters, commercially available food for mice and
as hamsters often prefer them over their pelleted food
rats, which typically comes in pellet form, provides suitable
• Hamsters tend to hoard food, storing pellets in their cheek
nutrition as long as the food contains 15% to 20% protein.
pouches or around the cage floor. They also commonly eat
Extra vitamins are usually not necessary
their own feces

Water:

Fresh, clean water should always be available. The hamster's

water bowl or bottle should be cleaned and sanitized regularly,
usually daily, to prevent infection

BREEDING AND PRODUCTION:

• The optimal time for hamsters to breed and have offspring is
between 10 weeks and 15 months of age. Breeders typically
use breeding pairs with 1 male and 1 female, or groups with
1 male and multiple females.
• Breeding hamsters, particularly females, can be challenging
as they can become quite aggressive during mating.
Additionally, various genetic defects are associated with
different hamster types, so breeding without knowledge of
their genetic background is not recommended

HAMSTER
APICULTURE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MEDICINE
CAMPITA, HONOVEZA ANN
DVM-5
Pregnancy and Parturition: • This helps the mother feel secure and reduces the
chance of her abandoning or consuming the
• Hamster pregnancies usually last 16 to 22 days, with Syrian
offspring.
hamsters typically having a 16-17 day gestation period
3. Feeding:
• Pregnant females may show a slight increase in girth or a
• Solid food moistened with water can be offered to
larger abdomen a few days before giving birth. As they
the pups starting at around 10 days of age.
approach delivery, the mothers may become restless and
• Place the food and water close to the floor within the
active, and may even exhibit vaginal bleeding
pups' reach.
• When the female is ready to give birth, providing nesting
4. Handling:
material can help her feel secure and reduce the chances of
• Slowly begin handling the pups when they are about
her abandoning or consuming the offspring. It is crucial not
7 days old.
to disturb the mother and litter for at least 7 days after birth,
• Handle the pups gently, as their bones and muscles
especially if the female has never given birth before.
are small and can be easily injured.
Attempts to foster abandoned pups onto a different mother
• A safe way to pick up a hamster is to place your hand
are rarely successful
under the entire animal and lift it gently.
5. Separation:

NEONATAL CARE:: • House hamsters singly, except during breeding

periods.
1. Avoid Disturbance: • Sexually mature females are territorial and
• Do not disturb the mother and litter for at least 7 aggressive, and frequently fight each other.
days after birth, especially if the female has never • Housing female hamsters together is not
given birth before. recommended, as the larger breeding females may
• Attempts to foster abandoned pups onto a different injure the smaller males.
mother are rarely successful. 6. Environmental Conditions:
• Limit your activity around the cage to only providing • Maintain the hamster's living environment at 64°F to
food and water as needed. 79°F (17°C to 26°C).
2. Nesting Material: • Provide a secure, well-ventilated enclosure with a
• Provide the pregnant female with nesting material, solid floor and deep bedding.
such as shredded paper or unprinted paper towels.

HAMSTER
APICULTURE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MEDICINE
CAMPITA, HONOVEZA ANN
DVM-5
scruffing a cat). Always support the hamster's body with one hand.

RESTRAINT AND EXAMINATION:

Because of their small size, hamsters and mice can be difficult
to capture and restrain (especially dwarf hamsters). When awakened
or frightened, even the smallest hamster or mouse can inflict a nasty
bite.

Hamsters have a large amount of loose skin around the neck,

shoulders, and back. To provide full or immobilizing restraint, grasp
the hamster's skin between the thumb and fingertips (similar to

When conducting a physical examination of a hamster, it is essential

HAMSTER
APICULTURE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MEDICINE
CAMPITA, HONOVEZA ANN
DVM-5
Abdomen:

to consider the following aspects: • Palpate the abdomen for any masses or abnormalities.
Overall Appearance and Behavior:

• Note the hamster's appearance and behavior, especially in

SITE OF SAMPLE COLLECTION:
comparison to its cagemates. NOTE IN BLOOD COLLECTION:
• Look for signs of sickness such as weight loss, hunched
posture, lethargy, rough fur, labored breathing, and changes • Total blood volume of a hamster is 75 ml/kg or 7.5% of total
in exploratory behavior. body weight or 0.700 ml/10 g body weight (BW).
• No more than 1% of the animal’s blood volume in one
Urine and Feces: collection or over a 24 hour period.
• Monitor changes in the color, consistency, odor, and volume • No more than 7.5% (0.056 ml/ 10 g BW ) of total blood
of urine and feces. volume can be collected in a single or multiple draws over a
week period.
• Check the perineal area for fecal or urine stains and any
discharges from the vulva in females. • If 10 % (0.075 ml/ 100 gm BW) of total blood vol, must allow
10 days recovery before next draw.
• Collect fecal samples for parasite detection and bacterial
culture. • If 15 % ( 0.11 ml/ 100 g BW) of total blood volume is collected,
must allow 15 days recovery before next draw.
Fur, Skin, and Oral Cavity: • If multiple samples are needed in a 24 hr period, alternate
collection Alternate legs for saphenous vein, R and L dorsal
• Examine the fur and skin for alopecia, fight wounds, trauma,
tail veins.
and ectoparasites.
• Check the oral cavity for overgrown teeth or impacted cheek
pouches.

Ears, Eyes, and Feet:

• Inspect the ears for discharges or inflammation and the eyes

for discharges or conjunctivitis.
• Examine the feet for sores and check for overgrown or broken
nails.

HAMSTER
APICULTURE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MEDICINE
CAMPITA, HONOVEZA ANN
DVM-5

HAMSTER
APICULTURE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MEDICINE
CAMPITA, HONOVEZA ANN
DVM-5

COMMON DISEASES:

HAMSTER
APICULTURE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MEDICINE
CAMPITA, HONOVEZA ANN
DVM-5
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION STATUS:
Hamsters are found in the wild across various regions, REFERENCES:
including Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. However, many
• [Link]
hamster species face threats to their natural habitats due to factors
animals/rodents/hamsters
like urbanization, agricultural expansion, and climate change.
Conserving these habitats is crucial to ensure the long-term survival • [Link]
of wild hamster populations. This involves protecting and restoring pets/hamsters/disorders-and-diseases-of-
natural grasslands, steppes, and other ecosystems where hamsters hamsters#Cancers-and-Tumors_v3228023
thrive, as well as implementing sustainable land management • [Link]
practices that minimize human impact on these sensitive blog/2019/6/18/identifying-gender
environments.

The conservation status of hamsters varies depending on the species;

• European Hamster (Cricetus cricetus): This species is listed as

"Critically Endangered" by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It has experienced a
significant decline in population due to habitat loss,
agricultural intensification, and fragmentation. Conservation
efforts are underway to protect its remaining habitats and
promote breeding programs to increase population numbers.
• Chinese Hamster (Cricetulus griseus): This species is not
listed separately on the IUCN Red List, but it is commonly
bred in captivity for scientific research purposes. In the wild,
its conservation status may vary depending on local threats
and habitat conditions.
• Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus): As a widely kept pet
and laboratory animal, the Syrian hamster is not considered
threatened in the wild. However, its wild populations may
face threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation in certain
regions.

HAMSTER
APICULTURE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MEDICINE
CAMPITA, HONOVEZA ANN
DVM-5

HAMSTER