Hamsters are small rodents of the muridae family. While there are twenty species around the world, only five are currently domesticated: the Russian hamster, the roborovski hamster, the golden hamster (or Syrian hamster), the Siberian hamster and the Chinese hamster. With good conditions, their breeding is quite simple and they are particularly suitable for adolescents.

Hamsters are small animals. Among the captive-bred species, the golden hamster is the largest. It measures on average 13 cm for a weight between 100 and 125 grams. The other species are called “dwarf hamsters” because they are much smaller and weigh around 50 grams.

Although there are some individual variations, hamsters are generally rather calm and unobtrusive animals. When they are used to humans, they are quite docile, but the handling must be gentle to avoid biting. 

In the wild, the hamster is prey for many other animals. Also, to ensure the survival of his species, he has developed a rapid reproduction, with many young per litter. A female hamster can reproduce from 2 months, make up to 6 litters per year, and each litter can contain between 6 and 10 young. Thus, a female can produce up to 60 young per year.

Breeding a hamster is fairly straightforward. Apart from the purchase of the equipment, it is a breeding which is quite inexpensive and which is perfectly suitable for a teenager. For children, be careful with the risk of bites, especially during handling.

It is a nocturnal animal that will tend to activate and make noise at night. Be careful to place the cage in an isolated place, otherwise you will be woken up.

The hamster has a burrowing behavior and tends to hide its food. In captivity, care should be taken to provide a dust-free litter that allows it to dig. Wood chips or corn-based litters seem particularly suitable.

Hamster behavior is generally the same regardless of gender. The golden hamster is rather solitary and it will be necessary to provide a cage per individual. Other hamster species generally prefer to live in pairs, or in pairs of females. However, be careful with pairs of males who risk fighting when they are adults.

In terms of health, the hamster is particularly sensitive to respiratory ailments and dermatological problems (loss of hair, parasites, etc.). To prevent and avoid these problems, care should be taken to keep the cage free of any drafts and to keep the litter box as clean as possible. It will also be necessary to pay attention to the origin of the animals which must be at least 5 weeks old.

As with all rodents, a hamster’s incisors grow continuously throughout its life. Also, he must be able to use them correctly in order to avoid problems such as dental malocclusions. This wear and tear occurs mainly through food, as well as enriching its cage with objects to gnaw on such as pieces of hazel or birch wood.

In nature, the hamster is a rather omnivorous animal: it can eat plants such as fruits, seeds, plants or tubers, as well as small animals such as insects, worms, or snails. 

In captivity, it will therefore be important to offer them a fairly varied menu in order to balance their needs, alternating between complete hamster kibbles and fresh green vegetables.

It is these green plants that promote good tooth wear. However, the intake of fresh fruit will be limited to once a week at most so as not to disturb its transit. 

Regularly, you can supplement your diet with vitamins, in order to strengthen your immune system.

Finally, it will be necessary to ensure that the hamster always has fresh water at will. The bottle attached to the walls is ideal because it prevents the hamster from spilling its water by digging in the litter. The water should be changed every day.

In good conditions and with an appropriate diet, your hamster will be able to live from 2 to 3 years.