Hamsters Mrs. Salvati

Varieties Syrian Varieties Dwarf Golden - Brown on top, white on bottom Black stripe on back Teddy Bear - Long haired Panda Bear – Coloring, black and white Dwarf Smaller then golden Different varieties http://harveyhams.weebly.com/syrian-hamster-varieties.html

Characteristics Chunky body,Stump tail Nocturnal – sleep during the day Weigh 90-150 grams Continuously growing incisors Cheek pouches – pockets on inside of mouth to store food Solitary animals

Housing 10 Gallon tank with cover Plastic hamster cages with tunnels Wood shavings for bedding (substrate) Nesting materials (toilet paper rolls)

Feeding Hamster mix found at the pet store Water should be in a bottle Treats can include: Cheerios Breads Timothy hay Fruits and vegetables

Information Gestation – 19-20 days Litter size – 4-12 babies Wean – 3-4 weeks Origin – Middle East Life span – 2-3 years Sexually mature – 10weeks Urine is cream colored http://hamsterhideout.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=10517

Sex by Anogenital Distance It is a male because the anus and genitals are far apart It is a female because the anus and genitals are close together.

Health Problems Wet tail – bacteria causing diarrhea Trauma Malocculsion – Teeth grow to long Signs of a healthy hamster: Clear eyes, Good skin and coat, eating drinking, normal urine and feces

Handling Do not startle hamster Pet first Hold with 2 hands over safe area Restrain – scruff Tame with treats

Gerbils

Gerbils Gerbil Varieties Mongolian Gerbil Comes in different colors

Characteristics Longer hind legs help gerbil to stand upright Long tail covered with fur Weigh 2-4oz Good Digger Can be active in both day and night Usually prefer mate for life

Housing Housing available for hamsters is usually suited for gerbils Gerbils should have more cage space then hamsters because they are more active Wood shavings for bedding Nesting materials (toilet paper rolls) Tail can get caught in exercise wheel

Feeding Gerbil mix found at the pet store Consume very little water, water should be in a bottle Treats can include: Sunflower seeds Green foods – lettuce, cabbage

Information Gestation – 21-26 days Litter size – 5 babies Wean – 3 weeks Origin – Mongolia Life span – 1-4 years Sexually mature – 5w Sex by Anogenital distance

Health Problems Tyzzer’s disease – bacteria that may cause death Seizures Trauma Teeth problems

Handling Pet first Pick up and restrain – “ice cream cone” grip Tame with treats http://www.ahwla.org.uk/site/tutorial s/BVA/BVA03-Gerbil/Gerbil.html

Info taken from http://www.hamster-club.com/varieties.asp http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/pets/hamster.htm http://www.caringtogether.com/exotics/hamsters3.html http://www.petwebsite.com/gerbils/mongolian_gerbils.htm