Diet, Habits & Types of Hamsters. Hamsters are small rodents that are commonly kept as house pets. They are distinguishable from other rodents due to their short tails, stubby legs and small ears.
Hamsters have many different colors, including black, grey, brown, white, yellow, red or a mixture of several colors. The European breed can grow as large as 1. The dwarf hamster lives up to its name.
LPN Blog Sun Care Natural Oil Sunscreens: What You Need to Know & Badger Balm for Fool Proof Sun Protection. So after compiling hours of time gathering information and doing A LOT of research I’ve compiled my Top 100 Predators of the mammal world. Some of these animals may. In the wild, hedgehogs are primarily insectivores, but they will often eat whatever is available. Hedgehogs have been known to eat insects, slugs, baby mice.
These tiny hamsters grow to around 2 to 4 inches (5. The most common pet hamster, the Syrian hamster, also known as the teddy bear hamster or golden hamster, usually grows to about 6 inches (1. In the wild, they like to live in warm, dry areas, like steppes, sand dunes and the edges of deserts.
They were some of the first domesticated hamsters. In the wild, they dig burrows, which are a series of tunnels, to live and breed in. Hamsters will also store food in their burrows. Living underground keeps wild hamsters cool in hot climates.
For example, the Syrian hamster doesn't like living near other hamsters. They are very territorial and should never be put in a cage with other hamsters. It will bite the other hamster, and may even kill it. Dwarf hamsters, on the other hand, are social and like to have a friend nearby. Hamsters will wake up from their hibernation periodically to eat.
- Hamsters are small rodents that are commonly kept as house pets. They are distinguishable from other rodents due to their short tails, stubby legs and small ears.
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If there isn't enough food stored, hamsters will wait to hibernate until their surplus is to their liking. The most common hamsters found as pets are: Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus); Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus); Campbell's or dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli); Djungarian or winter- white Russian dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus); Roborovski hamster (Phodopus roborovskii).
Hamsters like to eat seeds, grains, nuts, cracked corn, fruits and vegetables. Wild hamsters also eat insects, frogs, lizards and other small animals. A captive hamster's diet should be at least 1.
Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. They have pouches in their cheeks that they stuff with food. Then, they will carry their hoard back to their colony so they can eat it later.
Pet hamsters will often store food under their cage bedding. A brown and white Syrian hamster on the sand. Credit: Alexruss Shutterstock. Male and female hamsters waste no time when mating with one another. If you put two opposite gender hamsters into a cage together, the female will become pregnant very quickly. Their gestation period lasts 1.
Females tend to have two to three litters per year. Hamsters typically live one to two years, but can live up to three years in captivity. This breed is found in Syria, where agriculture and human development are taking over the hamster's natural habitat. They will bite when startled or scared, though.
They will also bite if they are awakened during their sleeping time. Since they sleep during the day and humans are awake during the day, this means that biting is more likely. Their scent glands on their backs secrete an easily identifiable smell.
To find their way around, they leave a trail of scent by rubbing their backs against objects. When a hamster needs to find their way back home, they will use this scent trail as a guide.
Chewing on wood or twigs keeps their teeth short. Without something to chew on, their teeth would grow so long they would injure the roof of the mouth and lips. If she fears that her babies are in danger, she will put the babies in her mouth pouches and carry them to safety.
Top 1. 00 Predators. So after compiling hours of time gathering information and doing A LOT of research I’ve compiled my Top 1. Predators of the mammal world. Some of these animals may surprise you to be on this list, as they may not be true predators, but in one way or another they have the potential to show predatory instincts both to other animals or humans. I’m just a hunter, not an animal expert!
Chimpanzee - You’re probably asking how such a cute and cuddly chimp can make this list. Recent chimpanzee attacks on humans and their sweet tooth for meat and a great ability to hunt in well organized groups within their family circle. Alpha male chimps can be extremely aggressive and are usually the leader in the hunting gang. Rat- Whether it be the brown rat, black rat or the over two dozen other species of rats, one thing is for sure. Listed as omnivorous, rats still will hunt mice, chipmunks and even other rats if they become hungry enough, or just get the urge to kill.
Rats are common all over the world, but are far from the most fiercest predator on the list. Corsac Fox- So the first of several fox species makes the countdown. The Corsac Fox is found in parts of the Middle East and Asia. Sometimes referred to as the Tibetan Fox (Found throughout Tibet) and is an A- Class predator that shares the same predatory characteristics as the rest of the fox species found throughout the world. Unlike other fox species, the Corsac lives in packs, which gives it an edge when hunting. Orca Whale- Also known to you as the Killer Whale. The Orca is well- known for their episodes at marine parks and their attacks on humans.
They are very effective hunters of the ocean, possibly as lethal of that of sharks. Whales love preying on smaller whales, fish and even penguins, seals and gulls. Splended to look at, but lethal if you’re on the Orca’s menu. They aren’t called Killer Whales for nothing! Blanford’s Fox- Another middle- eastern makes the countdown. The Blanford’s fox is mostly found in Afghanistan, but their range stretches clear to Egypt.
In 1. 98. 4 one was trapped in the Arabian country Oman, but none have been seen there since. Studies have concluded that this crafty gray fox- looking canine exists in parts of Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The Blanford’s fox is also called the Corsac, but it is completely different from our #9. Whitetail Deer- Huh?
What did I just write? No typo here, believe it or not old Bambi can be a killer if he surely wants to. Deer are armed with weapons. Hooves and antlers can make a mess of another animal, including humans. Everyone seen the video of the man who sprayed himself with deer urine and ended up getting the crap kicked out of him, but surprisingly a lot of people wind up dead thanks to the deer.
Attacks on humans are becoming more and more common as we continue to invade their turf, not to mention all the lives that are lost on deer related automobile accidents! Crab- Eating Fox- Yes, there is in fact a fox named that. They live in central South America and despite their name, they survive off of more than just crabs. Crab- Eating Fox will eat turtle eggs, birds and rodents along with the crabs they find along the shores during low tides.
They also will eat vegetation if need be. Fennec Fox- The smallest of the fox species may also have the largest ears of the fox species. Fennecs inhabit the rough and tumble world of the Sahara Desert in North Africa. In order to survive in this rough part of the world you need those sonar- like ears to seek out prey to survive and here would be predators making the move on them.
Fennec Fox max out at around 3 lbs. Genet- Genets are small cat- like predators found mostly in Africa. There is various different types of genets, but most of them are hunters and predators.
Genets prey mostly on small birds, reptiles and rodents. These are cool animals and I suggest you all go and google these little guys. African Palm Civet- Very much like the Genet, the Civet looks like a mix between a cat and a weasel. They’re omnivorous and their diet includes rodents, birds and eggs. It will also climb trees and hunt for fruit bats. It’s surely one pint- sized predator designed to kill. Feral Dog- Feral Dogs have long sense been a problem since the beginning of time.
Although they tend to be a bigger problem in third world countries, the United States still has a rash of problems with feral dogs. Their natural instinct is to hunt, so even though they have been domesticated, they still have the natural urge to hunt. Feral dogs or even dogs that have escaped their master always love running deer and other game species. Carolina Dog- This is an interesting species of Feral Dog. The Carolina Dog was discovered roaming the swamps of southeastern United States in the late 1. They very much resemble the Dingo of Australia and are sometimes called the American Dingo. Like any other Feral Dog, The Carolina Dog must hunt to survive.
Meerkat- These members of the mongoose family reached fame with the popular Animal Planet series Meerkat Manor, but don’t let the cute tv show fool you. Meerkats are great hunters that forage in family groups. They prey mostly on scorpions and other insects, but will hunt down birds, lizards and eggs.
Human- We are no doubt the apex predator on planet Earth. Humans kill more animals than any other species in the world and sometimes even kill their own kind. I can’t rank us much higher than this due to the fact that we have modern technology at our disposal to help out our hunting skills. Guns, trail cams, traps, lures, GPS. Bat- There’s plenty of different species of bats out there, but this covers those that hunt. Most bats thrive off of insects, while others like the Vampire Bat need a source of blood to survive. They have unbelievable senses when it comes to fluttering through the air and finding prey.
Bats also carry a spooky factor to them that just freaks people out! Tibetan Sand Fox- This fox has a strange ruff of fur around it’s face and has a strange prey stalking technique. A stiffening posture and stalk method allows it to capture pika, rodents and birds with ease through the dry regions of Tibet, China, India and a few other places. Sand Cat- Finally a feline makes the list.
The Sand Cat is one of the toughest felines on Earth. It has to be to live in some of the hottest deserts in Africa and Asia. He’s a cute little guy at just 6 lbs., but an a very good predator. Sand Cats get all of their water from the prey that they eat, which is as adaptable as one can get. Flat- Headed Cat- This endangered cat’s name says it all. The Flat- Headed Cat, found in mostly Thailand and Malaysia has a flat head.
Who would’ve thought? Flat- Headed Cats prey on fish, frogs and crustaceans it finds along waterways, but will occasionally hunt down rats and even chickens. Bornean Bay Cat- Let’s keep it in the feline family with the Bornean Bay Cat. This is also known simply as the Bay Cat and is a very interesting looking cat.
It is endangered and found only in Borneo. It is a nocturnal hunter that preys on birds, rodents and monkeys. Bay Cats can weigh up to 1. Clouded Leopard- This mix between a big cat and a little cat, The Clouded Leopard surely has the coolest markings of all leopards. Search for them if you’ve never seen a pic of one.
They’re inhabit southeast Asia and have reached a vulnerable status. They, like other predators are prime hunters. They are the smallest of the leopards, as they weigh in at only 5. Jaguarundi- Did you know there’s another wildcat that tramps on US soil other than the Canadian Lynx and the Bobcat? The Jagaurundi inhabits most of northern South America and Central America, but also ranges through Mexico and into some portions of southern Texas. The Jaguarundi loves to prey on fish and reptiles and is mostly found where there is running water.
Two color phases of this cat can be found. Red color phase and gray color phases are what breaks up the different types of Jaguarundi.
Hippopotamus- It took me longer to figure out how to correctly spell Hippopotamus than it takes for one to chomp a human in half. Don’t be fooled by these cute, gentle looking beasts of Africa. The Hippo is a pure killing machine and is very territorial of its’ waters and its’ young. Hippos kill more humans than any other animal in the world. Bull Hippos protect their herd of females at any cost and a female with offspring is even more dangerous.
They have been known to fight off hyenas, lions and Nile Crocodiles. Hippos look like pigs, but surprisingly fall into the same classification as whales. Feral Hog- Feral Hogs are distributed throughout the world, but have become a huge problem in the United States, especially the southeast. They are destructive, invasive species that destroy croplands and forests with ease. They also show aggression towards humans, household pets and game species. One reason why these pigs have become a major target for hunters throughout the US. Those who have hunted them claim there is no thrill like it in the world.
Indian Fox- Also known as the Bengal Fox, the Indian fox plays an important predatory rule throughout India and other parts of the region. It, like most other fox prey on small rodents, birds and reptiles. Like all other species of fox, the Indian Fox will also feed on fruits and basically anything else it can find and eat.
Some occasionally fall victim to Bengal Tigers, which means that this fox needs to be on the look out at all times. Jungle Cat- Found in Egypt, most of southeast Asia and other parts of that area the Jungle Cat is a true predator to the region.
Jungle Cats can weigh up to 3. They hunt rodents, frogs and birds, but will even take a dive in the water to hunt for fish. Who said cats don’t like water? Oncilla- This feline is a dweller of the tropical rain forests of Central and South America. The cat has intriguing markings that closely resemble that of a jaguar.
The cat is much smaller than the Jaguar however. This cat maxes out at about 1.