Hamsters/gerbils Flashcards
Habitat
In the wild hamsters can travel upto 5 miles per night!
Large homes that allow burrowing
- the larger the home, the more enrichment you can provide.
- keep out of direct sunlight and draft
Gerbils require gerbilarium or tanks
Diet
- muesli/nuggets -> provide lots of variety
- small amounts of leafy greens
- small amounts of fruit e.g apples + carrots
- insects
- NEVER rhubarb, fruit seeds/pits or citrus
For gerbils recommend nuggets because they selective feed which can cause obesity and then fresh veg and fruit as treats
Chop up veggies/fruits into very small chunks, so can dry up rather than mould
Water: bowls or water bottles are safe -> replenish and clean regularly
Bedding
Wood shaving
Paper flakes
To maintain stability of burrows, an addition of a thin layer of hay between layers can be added
Both gerbils and hamsters require at least 6 inches of bedding -> recommend gerbils need more
Wheels
8 - 12 inch wheel for hamsters and gerbils
Hamsters’ backs should be flat when running to prevent back pain
10 - 12 inch for Syrians
The larger the wheel, the better!
Enrichment inside the cage
Sand baths -> removes excess oils from skin -> not to be kept inside the cage but great enrichment a few times a week
- reptile sand with no colour additives
- cheap sand baths can include baking trays
Tubes/branches -> great for hiding
Platforms (3 inches for dwarfs and 6 inches for syrians)
Hideouts -> hiding -> multiple are recommended -> entrance should be 2 inches for dwarfs and 3 inches for Syrians -> if an entrance is too small hamsters can cut the inside of their cheeks (due to pointy seeds) and cause infection
Multi chamber Hideouts
Cleaning
Spot clean to prevent unwanted stress or clean 1/3 every week until it’s completely clean
Russian facts
Life expectancy: 2 years
Sleep pattern: crepuscular (most active throughout the night/early morning and will sleep during the day)
Omnivores
Roborovski facts
Life expectancy: 2-3 years
Nocturnal
Omnivores
Syrian facts
Life expectancy: 2 years
Sleep pattern: Nocturnal
Solitary animals
Necessites in cages
1× small play sticks (wooden bridge)
1× wheel + stand
1× steel hamster dish
1× water bottle
Fruit chews (1 per hamster)
Substrates
Overall health
Free of discharge from eyes
Free of any sores/bites/flaky skin
Straight, not too long teeth
Short nails
Clean and dry bottoms
- watch for fighting amongst cage mates
Gerbil facts
Life expectancy: 4 years
Sleep pattern: diurnal (sleep in short cycles and will be active during the day)
