Although it depends slightly on the species, a hamster can be considered young if it is less than 4 to 6 months old, at which point it becomes an adult, before being considered old as soon as it exceeds 30 months.
How old is my hamster?
The life cycle of the hamster is well known, and here again, even if there are differences depending on the breed, there is a common knowledge base.
- A hamster is 0 to 6 months old
- A hamster is adult from 6 to 30 months
- A hamster is older than 30 months
If you want to calculate the human age of your hamster (its equivalent), you can use the following table:
| Age of the hamster | human age equivalent |
|---|---|
| 0 to 3 months | 0 to 14 years old |
| 3 to 6 months | 14 to 18 years old |
| 6 to 18 months | 18 to 40 years old |
| 18 to 30 months | 40 to 65 years old |
| 30 to 48 months | 65 to 90 years old |
| More than 48 months | it is a hundred years old! ? |
What is the life span of a hamster?
Two factors influence thelife expectancy of your small protected: its race, and its living conditions. Here is the average life span according to the races:
| Species | Life expectancy |
|---|---|
| Russian Hamster | 1.5 to 2 years |
| Golden or Syrian Hamster | 2 to 3 years old |
| Campbell's Hamster | 2 years |
| Hamster Roborovski | 1.5 to 2 years |
| Chinese Hamster | 2 to 2.5 years |
Coming of age of hamsters: sexual maturity
Hamsters generally reach their sexual maturity at the age of three to four months and then become adults. Physically, they can continue to develop and grow until they are one year old. Adult hamsters generally have thicker, glossier fur than younger hamsters and can weigh up to 250 grams.
The transition period from adolescence to adulthood in hamsters is marked by 3 events:
- they start to explore their environment
- they start to play with other hamsters if they are in presence
- they are interested in sexual activities.
It is precisely at this time that it is advisable to adapt your hamster's cage, if necessary, so that it does not feel cramped in its environment:
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Finally, it is at this stage of their lives that they are also most likely to be aggressive towards other hamsters.
The emotional needs of an adult hamster are relatively simple. It needs lots of space, toys to play with, exercise and attention. It also needs a lot of patience and love.