Hamster Roborovsky: maintenance, care, character, disease

Roborovsky’s hamster is one of the most rare rodents found in the home. More precisely, representatives of this breed can be found in zoological stores, but not in all. In the 70s, they completely disappeared from captivity, but over time, these cuties, named after the explorer, reappeared among fans of the fauna. What should the happy owners of this living creature know?

Roborovsky’s hamster: how is he looks like

Как looks like this rodent, which is not so often seen in apartments?

• Hamster Roborovsky unusually tiny. By the way, this crumb is not only one of the most rare meeting pets, but also one of the smallest. The size it is only 4-5 cm in length. As for the weight, then it is small – usually around 30.
• Muzzle flattened and, as many put it, “snub-nosed”. Ears are large enough have a rounded shape. Eyes always black, individuals with red eyes cannot be found. tendrils enough long
• The Fans hamsters note that the paws of representatives of this breed are longer, than others. Hamsters Roborovskogo and really not classified as short-legged.
• Tail short, however, like many other hamsters. Under the fur the tail is very often even invisible.
• By the way about wool: an interesting feature representatives of this breed is lack of a black longitudinal stripe, which is commonly found in many rodents. But above the eyes are present light triangles that resemble eyebrows. If talk about the most common palette, then it is pinkish-fawn base coat color. The undercoat can sometimes be grey. At the same time, the paws with the tummy are white, and the reverse side of the ears may be dark. There are also other colors: there are cream hamsters with light ears, white with dark spots or same sandy with a completely white muzzle.

What is the personality of a hamster Roborovsky

That can you tell about the nature of this pet?

• Hamsters Roborovsky are unusually sociable. Perhaps this is their main difference from relatives in terms of behavior. Usually, other hamsters are introverts and not too favor the company of other animals, relatives or even masters. But only not Roborovsky’s hamsters! They adore communication with everyone. Loneliness – the heaviest punishment for these rodents. Strongly it is recommended to keep them not just in pairs, but in whole flocks. Hamsters perceive their flock as united friendly family, and absolutely not tend to conflict with each other.
• Activity – the second “I” of Roborovsky hamsters. As a rule, they start turning it on in the evening or at night. Running, games with relatives, training on ladders, in running wheels, overcoming tunnels and other similar things are firmly included on weekdays such rodents. And to the owners this mode will have to be taken into account. However, the hamster does not mind being active and in daytime hours – optional work on changing his routine day. Behind the habits of these nimble rodents very interesting to watch!
• On the contact these animals go very willingly, which is canceled by absolutely all their owners. If you want get a hamster that will be with pleasure to sit on the palm of your hand and let yourself be stroked, better than a hamster Roborovsky not to be found. They can bite, except perhaps pregnant women or lactating hamsters, and that’s what they do it’s not strong.
• More one interesting feature is what these rodents are looking straight into eyes. They love to install such contact. By the way, these eyes pets are excellent.

Keeping and caring for a hamster Roborovsky: nuances

Speaking about how much this one lives hamster, it should be noted that his term life is no different from the term of representatives other breeds. That is, is it 2 or, maximum 3 years. And even with excellent leaving.

But the owner still has to try provide your pet with maximum comfort, and here is how it can be achieved:

• It is believed, what can i buy for a little hamster small dwelling. Actually similar look is wrong. Don’t forget about increased activity of these rodents and that they like to live in a flock. That is, preferably housing more spacious. It is believed that for a couple hamsters fit cage size 50×30 see for more of them, accordingly, we need a cell larger. Undesirable so that the bars are too wide – the nimble rodent will surely want squeeze through them to explore the world.
• On the the bottom of the dwelling must be filled with sand. Of course, you need to buy exactly purified option, since in the one that is in, for example, sandboxes lurk a lot everything unpleasant and harmful to hamster. It is desirable that a layer of sand was at least 3 cm. should be changed when dirty. Also moss, hay and small branches of fruit trees. Various place coniferous branches in the cage exactly not worth it.
• В the corner should definitely put a box, in which, over time, the hamster will build nest. Also need to install more stairs, tunnels, wheels. RџSЂRё lack of movement these hamsters even can get sick! Feeders and drinkers are also needed. And the drinker should be automatic tubes, and not in the form of a regular bowl. Otherwise, there will always be water polluted.
• Feed these cheerful rodents need millet, vegetables and fruits. Greens also would be a great addition to diet. Add seeds with nuts in a bowl you can, but not too much, so that the pet does not get obese. A delicacy for such rodents are flour worms, oatmeal, bread. Toddlers are highly recommended to give animal protein – thanks to him they will grow up without problems.

Reproduction of the Roborovsky hamster: let’s talk about the nuances

That Worth knowing about rodent reproduction?

• For the beginning must be correctly defined the gender of the pet. To do this, you need to carefully take pet so that its front paws leaned on the owner’s thumb. The hind legs also need to be held. Rolling onto back or holding by the scruff of the neck are prohibited, since even peace-loving hamster Roborowski can afraid in such situations. Further need to look at the distance between the urethra and anus – for girls this distance practically absent. Boys but it is, and they can also consider testes. Girls rows of nipples are noticeable. In young individuals, sex determination is very difficult, especially in pygmy rodents. True, over time, even with dwarf hamsters can be dealt with.
• When can hamsters mate? Technically, hamsters become sexually mature in 2-3 weeks old. But it’s worth the wait at least until the period when pets not 4 weeks old. Too early pregnancy and childbirth negatively affect on the health of the pet. In the same time allow childbirth in a one-year-old female too not worth it – she is already considered middle-aged, and it can also be detrimental to health. The optimal interval is between month and year.
• So how hamsters of Roborovsky are good-natured, couples usually have no communication problems arises. representatives of pregnancy This breed lasts 19 to 22 days. More all desire to reproduce offspring Roborovsky hamsters experience during the period from late May to early September. During this time, a lady can bring even a few notes!
• On the the time of birth of babies and their feeding Males should be separated from females and offspring. The babies are with mother for 3 weeks, after which they also resettled. They are covered with fur begin to be covered with fur on the 7th day after birth, and on the 10th already fully they grow up.

Diseases of Roborovsky hamsters: what owners need to know

С what problems it may face roborovsky hamster?

• Inflammation cheek pouches – they meet often in these rodents. The reason is inappropriate diet containing many components that, due to their stiffness harm hamsters. The best thing, so that the inflammation is eliminated by a doctor who can carefully unscrew the bags, disinfect them. Thereafter don’t feed your pet for a couple of days nothing so that the cheeks have the opportunity heal.
• Disorder chair – maybe from the wrong feed, and from poisoning. pet preferably at this time not at all provide juicy food. RџSЂRё he needs this insulin syringe inject either a solution of chamomile, or strengthening solution of rice. A decoction of the bark oak also helps with the disorder chair. If there is suspicion for poisoning, you should immediately contact to the vet.
• Conjunctivitis – since hamsters have bulging eyes, this problem happens frequently. In such case with a cotton swab should be lubricated eyes, after wetting it in saline or saline solution furacillin. Also eye drops will not harm antibiotics that are recommended apply four times a day.
• Obesity – also a frequent companion of hamsters. Considering what they love to eat and measure more often they don’t know everything, the owner will have to show firmness of spirit. Giving too much is definitely not costs. Just like include in a diet of a lot of “filling” food.
• Respiratory infections – that is, herpes, flu. They attack the body when stressed or hypothermia. The hamster has discharge from the nose and eyes, he intensely snorts and sneezes. Antiviral drugs in this case prescribes doctor. And, of course, you need to remove the root cause – drafts or a source of stress. Also a sick hamster stands for a while move away from neighbors.
• Demodecosis – or, to put it more simply, bald patches. Manifest they are due to mites living in the layers of the skin. You cannot identify them with the naked eye. At the same time, the pet itches. In such case, the doctor prescribes special injections.
• Worms – very often the owners do not detect them, until they look at the feces. Also the animal may lose its appetite a little, but that doesn’t always happen. are being treated worms with special preparations, and you can even do without a visit to veterinarian.

Of these milah can be seen predominantly in northern China or eastern Mongolia. However, they are so masterful win the favor of everyone around, that make great pets. Those people who are lucky enough to have this is a miracle, they say that they fell in love with the breed finally and irrevocably.