Is a hamster a rat? Some people may find it difficult to distinguish between species of the rodent family, such as the hamster, but when we look, we will find that it is very easy to distinguish between a hamster and a mouse. Although the illusion is similar, the many differences between mice and hamsters make it very easy when determining the difference. We will provide you with an adequate answer to the question: Is a hamster a mouse or not as follows?
What is a hamster?
Hamsters are considered one of the most common pets that many people like to raise at home. These furry little creatures love to play with everyone, and hamsters are also considered suitable pets for young children. Raising hamsters makes them learn to clean cages and take care of small responsibilities compared to caring for a dog or cat. It is worth noting that there are 24 types of hamsters, and hamsters include a short tail, small eyes, and fur in different colors such as: black, brown, grey, white, yellow or red, and legs. The hamster is wide and hairless. It has four front legs and five toes on the back legs. The hamster also has large, sharp front teeth.
Is a hamster a mouse?
Mice and hamsters differ in sizes, but hamsters have larger bodies and short tails. Small mice and small hamsters can be approximately the same size, but hamsters have much shorter tails as we mentioned, meaning they are larger than a small mouse, and the largest hamster is about 5 times the length. As for the largest mouse, the hamster's body is usually larger than the body of a mouse and has special, distinctive cheeks that can store food, while rats do not have cheeks that can store food in them. Mice and hamsters are taxonomically similar as they belong to the same kingdom, class, and ecosystem. Mice belong to the rodent family Muridae, to which hamsters belong, and the most common type of hamster is the golden hamster, called the Syrian hamster, which is usually 6 or 7 years old.
Are hamsters a species of mice?
Hamsters and mice are part of the same order (rodents) but belong to different genera. Hamsters belong to the genus Cricetinae, while rats include several genera, including the genus Rattus.
In general, hamsters are smaller than mice and have unique features that distinguish them from mice. Hamsters often have back cheek pouches in which they can store food, a nocturnal pattern that means they are more active at night.
While mice include several species and genera, they include house mice that live near humans and can be promoted as pets, and there are also wild mice and other species.
If you are considering raising a pet, it is always a good idea to learn about the individual care needs of each species, regardless of its affiliation to a specific species, to ensure the appropriate conditions for its health and happiness.
Are hamsters a type of rabbit?
No, hamsters are not a type of rabbit. Hamsters belong to the rodent family and include several different species. Hamsters are part of the Cricetidae family, and include familiar species such as the Syrian hamster, Russian hamster, and Chinese hamster.
On the other hand, rabbits belong to the Lagomorpha family and are not part of the rodent family. Rabbits include species such as the European rabbit, Belgian rabbit, and American rabbit.
Although hamsters and rabbits are common pets, they belong to different species and have individual needs and behaviors.
Is a hamster a pet?
Yes, hamsters are a common and popular pet. There are several types of hamsters, including the Syrian hamster (golden hamster), the Russian hamster, and the Chinese hamster. Hamster species vary in size, colors, and behavior.
Hamsters are small, cute animals, and easy to care for. Hamsters usually live in a small cage that contains a running wheel, food, shelter, and materials to build or rebuild their nest. Hamsters feed on a variety of foods designed for hamsters and love to eat grains, fruits, and vegetables.
It is important to provide your hamster with a clean, healthy environment and provide daily entertainment and interaction. If you are considering adopting a hamster as a pet, it is a good idea to read more about what a hamster needs and how to properly care for it.
Where did the hamster come from?
The hamster kept as a pet today is the product of improved species derived from the Syrian hamster (golden hamster). The Syrian hamster is the most common and perhaps the oldest type of hamster kept as pets.
The Syrian hamster is native to the region of Syria and Turkey, and was originally bred for scientific research in the twentieth century. Selective breeding efforts were initiated to improve the species to meet the needs of people wishing to keep hamsters as a pet.
Hamsters have been improved to have more flair, varied colors, and friendly personalities. This improvement has led to its spread as a popular and beloved pet throughout the world.
Hamster object behavior
1- As is the case with any wild species of rodent, there are many types of pet hamsters that you can know when buying a hamster, and it is important to know that hamsters are very active animals, and some of them prefer to live alone, while others prefer to live in groups with them. each other.
2- The hamster’s behavior is monitored, as family supervision is required for children under the age of 8 to own a hamster.
3- Hamsters have low immunity, and if they are not cleaned well, they can transmit intestinal bacteria and viruses to children under the age of five.
4- Hamsters are active at night, so human behavior must be appropriate for their behavior.
5- Parents should also pay attention to children’s simple behavior to facilitate tracking during play.
6- The hamster resorts to self-defense when you carry it, so you must be careful.
Hamster foods
All types of hamster food are available with Petaholic from here
After finding out whether hamsters are mice? You must know the appropriate foods for hamsters. It is known that hamsters eat plants and small animals. They also usually eat insects, ants, spiders, and frogs, as well as grains, herbs, leaves, and seeds. In addition to the previous food, hamsters need water every day. The amount of water that a hamster needs depends on The weight and type of hamster, you must also ensure the purity of the water; The hamster will not drink contaminated or impure water.
Wet Mullein Country for Hamsters 3 kg from Betaholic
The way of living
After answering the question: Is a hamster a rat? It is necessary to know its ability to live. The pet hamster can be placed in a cage, but it is preferable that the size of the cage be as large as is acceptable and proportional to the size of the hamster so as not to disturb it in movement, so that its width is not less than 45.72 cm and no less than Its length is 91.44 cm. 3871 square centimeters or more to provide sufficient space to move, so that you can move, sleep, and eliminate waste.
Tips you should follow when buying a hamster
If you decide to buy a hamster and raise it as a pet at home, you can follow the tips described in the following lines:
When a hamster is exposed to disease, the stomach is round and small, neither fat nor thin, but average. The body also has spots and bumps, while the eyes are bright and clean. You must also make sure that the hamster’s teeth are healthy, and make sure that the hamster is breathing and in good health. The hamster must be calm, free of whistling or other sounds, which may indicate that the hamster is tired. It is also worth noting that determining the age of the hamster is also important, preferably 6 weeks old. Make sure that male and female hamsters are separated from each other in the store and that there are no mice. Among baby hamsters.
Important information you should know about hamsters
The golden hamster is considered threatened with extinction according to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to the loss of natural habitats, as a result of human expansion in agriculture and development. The hamster also suffers from poor visual vision, which is controlled by special glands on its back that secrete an easily recognizable scent. Guess it smells. That smell, and hamsters' teeth are constantly growing and they are able to chew branches and trees to keep their teeth short and maintain sharp front teeth. It is also worth noting that when a female hamster feels in danger, she puts the small hamster in a bag inside her cheek and takes it to a safe place where she can keep it. .
Hamster reproduction
It is known that female hamsters are usually aggressive towards males, but they accept the presence of males only during the breeding season. Female hamsters become pregnant between two and three times a year, and the pregnancy period during the year depends on the breed, lasting from 18 to 22 days, and then the hamster gives birth. But the mother does not have to breastfeed all the cubs and she can eat some of them. It is worth noting that as the birth date approaches, the mother becomes more active and energetic, and begins to build a nest to receive her young children.
What is the method of giving birth to a hamster?
As for the method of birth, she gives birth while standing, and cuts the umbilical cord. The birth process takes between 10 and 30 minutes to give birth to all the small children. The mother usually uses a small exit to go out to sleep or reorganize the nest so that it can accommodate her and her children. It is worth noting that the young ones begin to drink water. After a period ranging from 13 to 15 days, it begins to eat between 16 to 21 days. Babies are also weaned at only 3 weeks of age, and reach maturity between 6 to 7 weeks of age. One of the reasons why hamsters eat their young is that it provides The body has enough protein to breastfeed the rest of the children.
Petaholic hamster cage
We have reached the end of our conversation, in which we addressed the answer to: Is a hamster a rat? How to deal with it and know all the matters related to it in terms of behavior, food and reproduction. Now all you have to do is make the decision whether you want a hamster or not, and bring all the supplies for raising a hamster or all the pets that many people like to raise at home through Beta Holic.