hamster

Hamsters in General
A hamster is a small rodent. There are many different types and colors of hamsters: white, brown, grey and cream. Also the hair is different, it can be short or long. Being so popular, I don't think I've to talk about their appearance. The Golden Hamster's scientific name is MESOCRICETUS AURATUS AURATUS, usually shortened to CRICETUS AURATUS. It is also referred to as the Syrian Golden Hamster.

When buying a hamster, there are many aspects to be considered:

• The hamster shouldn't be too young (at least three weeks old) or too old (not more than three months). If you buy a hamster with two weeks it will probably die, because that hamster can't feed itself suitably. With more than two months a female hamster might be pregnant. A so young "mother" is of course not a healthy hamster. Another aspect is that young hamsters are much easier to tame.



• Buy a hamster only in the afternoon, because they sleep during the day and you can't see how active they are



• Maybe the hamster is ill or hurt and the seller wants to sell you the hamster for the half of the price, but NEVER buy a hamster in those conditions.



• The eyes of the hamster should be clear and the hair shouldn't be wet. These marks mean that the hamster is ill.



• Buy only one hamster, because when they grow they begin to fight. If you want to breed hamsters you have to keep male and female in different cages. (Exception: dwarf hamsters, if they are from the same litter)

(http://www.hamsterland.com)