probably all familiar with these cute rodents like hamsters.They are several species, and they live happily in humans as pets.But the hamster is not as common as its domestic counterparts, it differs a lot from them.
Description animal
This type of hamster is considered to be the largest of all, which are now known.The body of an adult animal average grows to 30 cm and has a solid build.Weighs this "pipsqueak" about half a kilo, and sometimes more.The tail reaches 4-6 cm, while it is thick at the base and tapered to a close, covered with small stiff hairs.Paws animal claws are short and to facilitate the movement.The ears are rather small.Common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) has special cheek pouches in which it can add about 50 grams of cereal.
Color animal
has a beautiful multi-colored animal skins.The basic color is reddish, breast and belly are black.The legs, nose, cheeks, and a few spots on the sides - white.Depending on the habitat of the tone may be lighter or darker.Sometimes there are animals that have a custom black-and-white or pure black color.Many agree that the common hamster - the most beautiful representative of its family.Therefore, for the sake of bright fur on his prey with special dogs.
Where does the hamster
Usually the size of a hamster depends on the area in which he lives.It can be found in southern Europe, mainly in the steppe zone.He also lives in Northern Kazakhstan and Western Siberia.Of course, sometimes common hamster climbs to new territory for him, even in the city.He prefers to live near the gardens or fields, to ensure their livelihood.
Lifestyle
Many of the cartoons even know that the hamster - it thrifty animal.He's a good host who is working all summer.Around August, he begins to make global stocks, to provide themselves with food for the whole winter and spring.To keep foods ordinary hamster digs long burrow of varying duration.He has a lot of moves and cells intended for separate nests several storerooms, wintering, bedroom, dining room.The total length of all corridors, it may be about 8 meters.All cameras are located deep enough in the cold treasure animal nothing happened.Sometimes common hamster may take a gopher hole and settle there.In addition to collecting supplies, small animal is committed to maintain the purity of their bedding regularly and replace it straight from the tin.With the onset of frost animal falls asleep, waking from time to time to eat.
This animal is aggressive and does not tolerate Neighborhood relatives.If another hamster wander into his territory, he will fight him.We know that protecting the entrance to its burrow, this "pussy" can attack not only predators, but even a person, and yet he is able to bite.But, despite this bravery animal can die, becoming the prey of ferrets, foxes and birds.He is able to run fast and jump sharply, but if he is calm, then walks slowly.Basically hamster begins to swarm in and out of burrows only with the arrival of the evening.At dawn, he goes to the shelter.It spends its entire day common hamster.Photo below shows the animal resting in a hole.
diet
feeding animals varied diet can, but his main dish is plant food.In his present diet of grass, peas, corn, flowers, corn, alfalfa, seeds and tubers.But on occasion he will not give a bite by insects or invertebrates.His victims can become frogs, lizards, nestlings and sometimes mouse.With the approach of autumn hamsters are beginning to stock up on food, which is taken up in their bags, holding their legs.By the beginning of winter storage animal filled with a large number of tubers and seeds (from 500 g to 25 kg).Therefore, in order to provide for themselves, common hamster prefers to live near farmland.What is surprising is that this "master" found in burrows pantries, where different varieties of cereals were stacked separately.
sometimes in the same area can accommodate a lot of relatives, which leads to a lack of supply.Therefore, an ordinary hamster can move into other areas.During these migrations of the animal is not afraid even of the river, because it overcomes them with ease.
rut and motherhood
With the arrival of spring hamster leaves his winter burrow and goes in search of females.In its burrow it can stumble upon an opponent, which will certainly take a fight.After the victory, he is aiming hole and waiting for the consent of the female.Get what they want, the hamster is sent home.The female three weeks after the meeting appear brood, which can be from 4 to 20 heirs.Each hamster weighs about 5 grams, and the second week they opened the eyes and body acquires fur.If the offspring is in danger, his mother takes him to a quiet place in bags intended for food.
month later the kids are forced to separate and leave the nest.Freed from the mother, the female is ready again to accept the male.In one season at the animal may be two or three, and sometimes it happens and five broods.Average hamster matures to three months of age, so by the end of the summer the young offspring may appear own kids.
relationship with a man
People like to start at home different cute animals.But very rarely becomes a human pet is common hamster.The description of his life shows that this animal needs freedom and does not like society.Therefore, the content in the cells were derived other breeds.In addition to its aggressiveness (in captivity malice that is expressed not so bright), this beast is different in that carries diseases such as encephalitis.But some people are still hesitant to start at such an animal.Experience shows that it will never become tame.In addition, it can be difficult when in spring the animal appear natural needs, and he will need to look for a pair.Some specimens are able to breed in captivity.Life expectancy of a hamster - about 8 years.
In a way Cricetus cricetus is the sole representative.Of course, there are a lot of animals, belonging to the family of Khomyakov.But unlike their relatives rodents, which can be tamed, this can not be the best domestication and feels free.For the first time the hamster was described by scientists in 1774.
is worth noting that in many parts of this animal is a pest that steals the crop plants, is therefore subject to purposeful destruction.But the high-speed of its propagation ensures that the animal is not endangered.Also this animal used as a laboratory animal.
