At the beginning of the 20th century, the Golden Hamster was thought to be extinct. In 1930, however, an exciting discovery was made: a female and her young were found in the Syrian desert. They were taken into captivity for breeding, and they became the ancestors of the huge number of laboratory and pet hamsters which have since been reared throughout the world. Sometimes two entirely different species, the Chinese and Russian Hamsters, are available but, except where otherwise stated, this site is concerned with the Golden or Syrian Hamster.
Keeping Hamsters as pets
Hamsters still retain their place among the most popular pet rodents. They have proved themselves attractive, undemanding, clean and easily tamed. Potential owners must also realise that they are solitary animals, largely nocturnal by nature and extremely active.
Fighting amongst Hamsters
The fact that the Syrian Hamster is solitary may be an advantage. It is one of the few pet animals that may properly, indeed must, be kept singly. Those owners who attempt to keep to or more adult Hamsters together are subjecting them to unwarranted stress, and inviting conflict that invariably results in injury and death. These animals become gentle and tractable with people but will fight viciously with each other.
In the wild, Golden Hamsters are nocturnal, or perhaps crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). In captivity, they may adopt sufficiently to wake during the afternoon, but the principal periods of activity remain the night, dawn and dusk. It is at these times – and therefore often unseen – that Hamsters will fight among themselves.
Active creatures
Since Hamsters are often seen during their daytime rest period, many people make the understandable but quite wrong assumption that they are indolent animals. The reverse is true. Hamsters are highly active during their waking hours, occupying themselves by running on a wheel, climbing, gnawing, grooming, rearranging their bedding and escaping.
~ Theo ~
