The Roborovski hamster is a small mammal of the dwarf hamster family. It is native to Mongolia and China. Very popular as a pet because of its small size and gentle character, it is also very agile and not always very easy to catch!
Description of the Roborovski hamster
De nature très active et curieuse, c’est un hamster très populaire apprécié en raison de sa petite taille, de sa vive intelligence et de son caractère totalement inoffensif. Il est également connu sous le nom de « hamster nain » ou « hamster pygmée » puisque le plus petit des hamsters.
- It is the smallest of the common hamsters: it measures about 5 cm.
- Its weight goes from 15 to 30 grams about.
- The color of its coat varies from white to dark grey.
- It is able to jump up to 30 cm high and can run up to 8 km/h
- Its legs are relatively long compared to other species of hamsters.
- It has a thick fur.
- It has a white belly.
- It has a very short tail.
- Its gestation period varies from 19 to 22 days and can lead to the birth of 2 à 7 baby hamsters.
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Origins of the Roborovski hamster
The Roborovski hamster was discovered in 1894 in Mongolia where it originates from, by the Russian zoologist Vsevolod Roborovski who gave it its name.
Its domestication and captivity as a pet began only in the 1970s. It has since spread widely and is very common among hamster owners.
Behavior and character of the Roborovski hamster
Les premiers qualificatifs venant à l’esprit lorsque l’on en parle sont : craintif, vif et solitaire, mignons. Là ou d’autres hamsters mordraient pour se défendre ou face à fearthe roborovki hamster will prefer to flee. It is therefore extremely rare that it biteswhich makes this hamster an excellent choice for give to a child.
The roborovski hamsters are one of the most popular species, partly because of their uniqueness: they are known to be particularly assetseven for hamsters, and they love to play as much as to dig. They therefore need a spacious cage, well equipped with a wheel, tunnels and toys in sufficient quantity.
This overflowing activity is usually expressed at night, as it remains a nocturnal animal and therefore very active during the later hours.
In captivity, provide them with a stimulating environment so that they can express their active nature. They are also known to be very social rodents with humans, which they are not necessarily with other hamsters. For this reason, we advise you to avoid cohabitation with other hamsters if possible, and to do not introduce a second hamster in a second time, otherwise one of them would end up very bad!
Finally, their very small size necessarily invites to a handling with as much softness as their coat is! This small size also allows him to escape easily from his cage if it is not adapted, or even from the hands of a person if this one does not hold him correctly. And good luck to catch him, it will be mission impossible!
Life span of a Roborovski hamster
In captivity, they can live up to 3 yearsBut on average, they live only 18 to 24 months. I had however a Roborovki hamster which lived almost 4 years, which leaves a rather broad range!
Feeding a Roborovski hamster
If you're considering adopting a Roborovski hamster, here's everything you need to know about their diet.
Roborovski hamsters are herbivores. This means that their diet consists mainly of plants. They like to eat seeds, herbs, fruits and vegetables.
Roborovski hamsters need a balanced and nutritious diet to stay healthy. Fortunately, there are many specially formulated foods to meet the nutritional needs of these small animals that you can find in pet shops or on the internet. Roborovski hamster food contains oat bran, rice bran, wheat bran, corn flour and soy flour. They should also contain a certain amount of essential vitamins and minerals.
Roborovski hamsters like to eat sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. You can feed them mixed seeds or let them choose their own.
Fruits and vegetables can be given too, but in limited quantities, otherwise your hamster will have diarrhea. You can give them :
- carrots
- beets
- squash
- peppers
- tomatoes
- cucumbers
- bananas
Roborovski hamster food should be rich in fiber. High-fiber foods you can feed them include:
- apples
- pears
- plums
- apricots
- prunes
- grapes
Is the Roborovski hamster recommended for children?
YesThis is one of the most popular species with children, because they are so small and cute! No risk of bitingThe only real risk with these little balls of hair is that they manage to escape from their cages or from the hands that hold them, thus generating a potential big crying fit from their young owners!
Taking good care of a Roborovski hamster
Roborovski hamsters are generally a hardy species, but they can be prone to some health problems. The main health problems of the Roborovski hamster are heart disease, respiratory disease, eye disease, and skin disease. Roborovski hamsters are also prone to spleen disease, a potentially fatal disease that can be caused by a virus or bacteria.
The roborovski hamster needs a spacious and well-ventilated habitat. Sufficient space is essential for the animal to run and explore, and to cover several kilometers every night. A real marathon runner!
Diseases of Roborovki hamster
The most common diseases in the roborovski hamster are the following:
- The eye disease roborovski hamster: this disease is caused by a bacterium called Mycoplasma pulmonis. It can cause inflammation and redness of the eyes, as well as watery eyes.
- The skin disease roborovski hamster: this disease is caused by a bacterium named Streptococcus. It manifests itself by skin lesions, itching and hair loss.
- Liver disease roborovski hamster disease: this disease is caused by a bacterium named Corynebacterium kutscheri. It manifests itself by jaundice, loss of appetite and weight loss.
- Kidney disease roborovski hamster disease: this disease is caused by a bacterium called Mycoplasma pulmonis. It is manifested by loss of appetite, weight loss, excessive thirst and frequent urination.
To prevent roborovski hamster diseases, it is important to maintain a high level of hygiene in its enclosure. Rottorovskis are also very sensitive to temperature changes, so it is important to keep them warm and away from the wind. In any case, in case of illness do not hesitate to consult a veterinarian.
Where to buy Roborovski hamster?
Opinions are still divided on this subject! These hamsters can be purchased at breeders, shelters or pet shops. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages:
- The breeders proposent généralement une large sélection de hamsters et peuvent fournir des informations utiles sur les soins et l’alimentation. Ils font un élevage « à taille humaine » et non intensif. Les hamsters achetés chez des éleveurs sont en général un peu plus coûteux.
- The shelters ont généralement un choix plus limité, mais les frais d’adoption sont souvent inférieurs (voire inexistants!) à ceux d’un éleveur ou d’une animalerie.
- The pet shops are usually the most convenient option, but it is important to do some research beforehand to make sure you are buying from a reputable source.
- Individuals, hamster lovers You will find many hamsters for sale on classifieds websites. It can be a good plan!