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| Moderated by: Twitchin Kitten | Page: 1 2   |
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cynicalninja Forum-Blogger© Original500© Member  Smiling Shinobi
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Hamsters generally make ideal pets for children, they are easy to hand tame, easy to look after and maintain, have no external parasites and give children a could start in life as a pet owner. Syrian hamsters make the ideal pet, they prefer solitude, are a decent size, and enjoy being handled and being allowed to explore your home with close supervision. Chinese hamsters also make good pets for children, they are smaller and thinner than Syrians and are more mouse like, they are very quick but enjoy being handled and will quite happily just sit or sleep in your hand while being stroked. They have small prehensile tail and have almost human like paws that they cling to your fingers with. Russian dwarf hamsters are better suited to older children, they prefer to be in same sex partnerships, or same sex groups and they need large habitats and a lot of exercise or they can quickly become fat and bloated without this. They are more aggressive than other species of hamster so during the taming process prepare to be bitten! Roborovski hamsters aren't suitable for children, they are the smallest species of hamster and are lightning fast, a friend of mine has a snake and tried to use Roborovskis as live bait food but they were quite simply too fast for the snake to catch so he bought them a cage instead! Roborovskis can be handled, but it really does take an experienced hamster handler to handle them safely. They can jump like fleas and are so fast if they get access to the floor you will probably never see them again. Many parents buy them as pets for their children due to their small size and the cute white eyebrows they all have, but in all honesty unless you are an experienced hamster handler don't buy them.
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UsedToRide Original500© Member  ^^^That is LOVE!!^^^
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Curious. I don't know much about "pocket pets" so I am wondering; why did your friend choose this type of hamster as bait for his snake? And what type of snake is it? Around here, hamsters would be much more expensive feeders than mice, but obviously that isn't the case where you are. I also didn't know there were so many variations of hamsters with such differing pros and cons. Cool info, Ninja. Last edited on 05:38 pm by UsedToRide  Respect some, trust one, fear none ~~Bullet http://www.freeholbrook.com The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons. ~~Dostoyevsky |
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cynicalninja Forum-Blogger© Original500© Member Smiling Shinobi
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I believe it was a Ball Python about 5 feet long. He didn't take very good care of it, he gave it to a reptile house in Yorkshire when I threatened to report him for not looking after it properly. It was a house "feature" not a pet if you know what I mean? Yeah there are many different breeds of hamsters and thanks to cross breeding you can get all sorts of colours even purple/lavender! I forgot to mention Russian winter whites, they are a seperate breed of russian that turn white during the winter months. They are notoriously bad tempered and crabby, I once had one and hand tamed it, it took 3 months and about 15 bites though!, no one else could touch it without getting a nice bite.
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cynicalninja Forum-Blogger© Original500© Member Smiling Shinobi
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This is a Russian winter white in its full winter coat, note the dark coloured spine of hair a characteristic of most species of Russian. Attachment: (Downloaded times)
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cynicalninja Forum-Blogger© Original500© Member Smiling Shinobi
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This is a dominant white spot chinese hamster, the lighter (white spot) colouring denotes this hamster would be a dominant male or female in a large social group. Attachment: (Downloaded times)
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cynicalninja Forum-Blogger© Original500© Member Smiling Shinobi
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This is a Roborovski the smallest species of hamster, getting a still photo of one is almost impossible unless they are asleep or eating. Note the characteristic white "wiseman" eyebrows. Attachment: (Downloaded times)
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UsedToRide Original500© Member ^^^That is LOVE!!^^^
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Those Roborovski are SO cute!! The little "wiseman" eyebrows are great. I do understand what you mean about the "ornament" pet. That's sort of how we got Fuzzy. Some dumbass had 3 snakes, one he had caused to go blind trying to "help" it shed and peeled the opaque skin coverings its eyes. We homed the other 2 and kept Fuzzy. Who is our PET, not a conversation piece. He's wrapped around my neck as I type this.  If I recall correctly, you have the Russian type of hamster, yes? How are they doing?
Respect some, trust one, fear none ~~Bullet http://www.freeholbrook.com The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons. ~~Dostoyevsky |
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cynicalninja Forum-Blogger© Original500© Member Smiling Shinobi
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My current Hamster "inventory" consists of:- 1 male black eyed cream syrian (mayo) , 1 female dark golden syrian (Gizmo), 1 male long haired grey syrian (Alcatraz), 2 male roborovskis (Ren and Perrin), 2 female russian dwarves (Crystal and Ruby), 1 male chinese white spot (Fu) and 6 male russian dwarves (Boy 1 - 6). I sometimes breed them and sell the offspring to a local pet store.
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Twitchin Kitten Pioneer100© Member  Don't Dream It ~ Be It
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There is no specific variety or breed of hamster that is more tame than another. Saying the winter whites are notorious biters is a falsehood. You're correct on stating dwarf hamsters of any variety are not good for small children and that the Robo's are lightening quick and hard to handle. I've had a few Robo's as well as a couple of friends of mine in the UK who continually keep Robos and handle them on a regular basis. It takes a ton of patience and a receptive hamster to do this. I usually keep a few Campbell's Russian Dwarfs but trying to sell my house and move 1700 miles with two dogs and five cats would not bode well for the little ones. So I resist. The stripe down the back of the hamster is called a dorsal stripe and is common in Russian Winter Whites and the Campbell's Russian Dwarfs. Many people try to breed the two together to make a hybrid which is not a good idea. It causes many genetic defects in hamsters. For extensive information on all hamsters you can visit my main site: http://www.wandaspetworld.com or either of these two: http://www.petwebsite.com and http://www.geocities.com/CalHamAssoc/ Hamsters do not make good snake food and those who feed snakes hamsters are ignorant or lazy as hamsters do not provide the nutrition necessary for snakes.
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UsedToRide Original500© Member ^^^That is LOVE!!^^^
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Many people try to breed the two together to make a hybrid which is not a good idea. It causes many genetic defects in hamsters. Gee. kinda like the mess we've made of so many dog breeds, eh? 
I learn something from TK every time she posts. I wold never feed my snake hamsters anyway, but I did not know this. Thanks, TK! 
Respect some, trust one, fear none ~~Bullet http://www.freeholbrook.com The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons. ~~Dostoyevsky |
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cynicalninja Forum-Blogger© Original500© Member Smiling Shinobi
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Twitchin Kitten wrote: There is no specific variety or breed of hamster that is more tame than another. I've had more than 100 hamsters in my lifetime and a friend of mine has been breeding them for ten years, in my and her experience Russian hamsters do bite more and are harder to hand tame than Syrians or Chinese. I have owned over a dozen winter whites and they all had aggressive almost feral characters. Every single Russian hamster I have owned or handled has bitten me, while the majority of the Syrians have never bitten me and I have never been bitten by any Robo or chinese I have owned or handled.
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cynicalninja Forum-Blogger© Original500© Member Smiling Shinobi
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Just a quick note. Chinese hamsters are considered vermin in some US states so always check your states laws on animals and pet animals before purchasing them.
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Twitchin Kitten Pioneer100© Member Don't Dream It ~ Be It
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cynicalninja wrote: Twitchin Kitten wrote:There is no specific variety or breed of hamster that is more tame than another. I can say the same in regard to the amount of animals I've had, handled and trained over my lifetime. The fact of the matter is hamster DO BITE when frightened and if you try to tame them too fast or don't let them adapt to a new home in their own time frame, you will get a biter. Genetics and breeding have plenty to do with all this. Most hamsters and other pocket pets are bred on farms just like dogs and cats now. I know they are bred in the most horrific conditions and no regard is given to temperment or genetics. It's all about the money to these people. If you are buying your pets from the pet shop, breeding them without knowing their history or where they came from, sure you're going to have more biters than non biters. In the UK The British Hamster Association has become quite popular and breeders who join meet often and discuss genetics and breeding. They strive for quality animals and not making a quick buck to sell to the pet shops. There is also The National Hamster Council in the UK that you might find interesting as well. In America there are plenty of similar links and I've been working closely with the ASPCA and the USDA to try to abolish the practice of small animal farming. I've been at this steadily for 5 years now - to very small avail I might add - because the outrage openly at the moment is puppy and kitten mills and people in general just don't relate to hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils, guinea pigs and rabbits in the same way. The UK has the same problem with farming small animals as well as puppy mills. Even worse, the big pet shop chains are the main cause of this situation carrying on. They buy from these farms in bulk. Often the animals arrive in deplorable condition and many times the ones who look healthy only wind up dead from wet tail (only Syrian hamsters suffer wet tail) or some other kind of illness like respiratory infections from the shipping. Most times they are tossed in a box with a few pieces of potatoes and hope for the best. They are shipped as mail and not live animals although the boxes are marked live animals. The situation is better in some areas where the big chain shops are buying from local breeders. You can find reputible breeders in those UK links above as well. Anyone looking for private breeders in the USA holler to me, I'll see what I can find for you. Private breeders breed bigger and healthier animals with better temperaments. Now, after reading all the above, is it any wonder why your little one is prone to bite? Just because the animal is tiny does not mean it shouldn't have the same considerations for genetics and temperament than any other large animal. And you're correct, Chinese hamsters are not legal in all states. Check your local health department on this.
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cynicalninja Forum-Blogger© Original500© Member Smiling Shinobi
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I never buy hamsters from large pet shop chains or pet shops in general, I either breed them or get them from my friend Alison who loves hamsters and provides all her animals with large habitats and a good start in life. I would much rather give someone a hamster for free, than see them buy a one from a large pet shop. At my local Pets at home a massive pet shop chain, the hamsters have cramped, barren living conditions and many of them exhibit skin/fur problems, watery noses and eyes and the early signs of wet tail. They are often kept together far too long and many of them are constantly fighting as a result. Also the staff there are terrible at sexing hamsters, I can tell just by the shape of the rear end whether a hamster is male or female, I don't need to pick them up to examine them. The differences I note in the different breeds are just from my own personal experience of handling them.
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Twitchin Kitten Pioneer100© Member Don't Dream It ~ Be It
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No need to feel like you need to defend yourself. I was only trying to point out that your answer can scare off many people as it was so broad based and not at all scientifically true. I was not saying YOU bought your animals from these places. I was only trying to keep people from becoming prejudiced from one biased opinion. You may certainly have had these experiences with your own hamsters and I've had other "breeders" say irresponsible things such as the Argente colored hamsters are vicious little creatures and should be culled from litters. I've heard many stories of breeders only breeding Syrians for black in color because these tend to be the most docile of all hamsters. Again, this is not true nor proven scientifically. Hamsters WILL bite when you startle them, try to pick them up improperly and most likely trying to handle them before they are adjusted to their new home and people. Hamsters can take up to 3 months before they let you handle them and take them out of the cage willingly after you first bring them home. Some will warm up right away. Each one is different. If you are getting your animals from the same source and the same patterns emerge breeding after breeding on the same colors or gene pool, then frankly, I'd question where these animals are coming from and how much new gene material is actually introduced into the lines and where those genes are coming from. Hamsters and pocket pets have become BIG profit business in recent years and the production of crappy and dangerous cages and toys even bigger. It's a shame because you can make your own toys and your own cage (click me for how to make your own hamster cage!) out of simple inexpensive storage bins! With the right care, acclimation time and handling any small caged animal is a joy to own for anyone. Another thing that needs correction on your description of Dominant Spot coloring in the Chinese (or ANY other species of DS coloring) is that it is NOT to mean this particular hamster is DOMINANT in the colony but that it is a gene mutation that produces a white hamster with patches or spots of color. Dominance in the colony is established just like any other species of animal that lives in social packs - squabbling and fighting is usually the way. Syrian hamsters should NEVER, EVER be kept in multiple groups. They are solitary and will fight to the death. Dwarf hamsters are social creatures who CAN live in groups called colonies. I STRONGLY suggest that you keep dwarf hamsters in SAME SEX groups or you'll end up with a lot of little ones in a very short time and this breeding one after another is not good for the female's health. If your same sex groups show signs of fighting (occasional squabbles are ok) where blood is drawn or one feels excluded or picked on more than others, it is OK to separate them to single hamster living quarters and they will do just fine. You'll just have to take a little more time to interact with the lone hamster as they do need social interaction daily. Dwarf hamsters can turn on one another even if they've lived together for a long period of time.
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