Dzungarian hamsters content. All the most important about breeding Dzungarian hamsters at home. Buying the beast. Should I take a few hamsters

Dzungarik is one of the smallest representatives of the hamster family. Due to its funny appearance, cleanliness and lack of unpleasant odor, it has become a popular pet. If you decide to get this funny animal, carefully read the information on its content.

Specifications

Suitable home

Cell

Labyrinths

Houses with several compartments and passages between them resemble burrows. Labyrinths are usually more expensive than cages and aquariums, but they can be collected gradually. Buy the main compartment first and then the upper “room” and connect them together.

Please note that for dwarf hamsters it is necessary that the compartments are connected by ladders. Kids can't climb up tunnels.

If you decide to assemble such a house yourself from scrap materials, do not forget to make cuts in the walls and ceiling. They will provide a constant supply of fresh air.

House-aquarium

Special plastic aquariums for rodents are great for jungars. Their small size allows them to do with one-story dwellings. The main thing is that all the necessary accessories are there.

Where to put the cage?

Rodents do well at the same air temperature as humans. Do not place the cage in drafts or on a sunny windowsill. Also, keep the cage away from:

• working battery;
• places with high humidity;
• tV;
• audio systems;
• other animals.

Do not put the house on the balcony (temperature changes, sun), in a draft (risk of colds), in the kitchen (not hygienic) and in the bedroom (rodents are active at night and make noise).

Cage equipment

What else do you need? The animal definitely needs:

• drinker;
• a bowl;
• chalk stones or branches;
• nest (house);
• wheel;
• toys.

The ideal drinker is the so-called dropper bottle. It should be hung away from the nest so that accidental drops do not wet it. Remember to change the water every day. Fresh water is the key to animal health.

It is better to put food in a heavy clay bowl so that the animal cannot turn it over. A hanging metal bowl will also work.

Chalk stones or twigs are needed to point the teeth. In rodents, teeth grow throughout their lives, and if not monitored, serious problems begin.

IN natural environment habitat rodents sleep in a separate compartment of their burrow. Try to create maximum comfort for him at home with a small nest. Small wooden or plastic houses are suitable for this.

The wheel will help your pet get enough physical activity. Purchase a one-piece wheel with no slots or protrusions to keep the legs from breaking. Attach the wheel very close to the wall, otherwise the hamster can crawl between them and get stuck.

There are a variety of rodent toys available at pet stores, but many can be made on your own. Excellent manholes are obtained from cardboard toilet paper cylinders. Plastic rolling toys are a great substitute for whole walnuts or hazelnuts. Do not fill the whole cage with toys - 1-2 is enough.

Dzungarian hamster care

It is not at all difficult to take care of the Dzungarian hamster, since it is unpretentious.

Food

In order for the dzungarik to be healthy, it needs to be fed correctly and variedly. If you have not yet purchased an animal, we recommend that you get everything you need in advance in order to organize proper nutrition from the first day. The hamster food list includes staple foods, fresh foods, dairy products, and vitamins.

The basis of the diet is dry food. It is a mixture of various grains, seeds and pressed herbs. Due to the fact that Dzungarian people are prone to diabetes, make sure that there are fewer sweets (dried fruits and carob) in the feed.

Do not store food open as it may dry out and become unpalatable. You can pour it into an airtight jar or zip bag.

Give some fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Each animal has its own tastes. You will soon realize what you like best. He simply will not eat bad taste.

They usually like:

• apples;
• tomatoes;
• chinese cabbage;
• cucumbers;
• grapes;
• melon;
• watermelon.

Do not forget to pre-rinse and dry the fruit. You don't need to peel off or remove bones.

Home should be given fresh, low-fat milk or unsweetened natural yogurt. Pour them into a small bowl.

After 2 years, it is time for additional vitamins and minerals. Pet stores have special liquid complexes that you can drip into the drinker.

The daily diet should look like this:

• 1 tbsp dry food;
• 10-20 g fresh vegetables or fruits (for example, ½ grapes and ¼ carrots);
• 1 tsp dairy product.

What tasty can you feed a Dzungarian hamster? Once a week, you can hang special treats on sticks in his cage. Or you can buy carob and dried berries. The main thing is not to overdo it with the quantity. 1 piece every 3-4 days is enough.

If there is any leftover food left in the morning, throw it away and put in new food. Wash the bowl if necessary.

What can not be fed?

1. Garlic.
2. Oranges and other citrus fruits.
3. Eggs.
4. Sweets.
5. Chocolate.
6. Meat products.
7. Salted nuts and chips.
8. Spicy food.

Cleaning the cage

Wood shavings are best suited as filler for the cage. The bottom of the cage is covered with a layer of at least 2.5 cm. The shavings should not be too small and sharp, as this will lead to eye problems.

For bedding in the house, use scraps of soft paper (sold at the pet store). This paper should not be fluffy. You can use regular toilet paper without dyes or fragrances. Cut it into small pieces and put it in the house.

The frequency of cleaning depends on the characteristics of the animal, but on average they are cleaned once a week. If you are bothered by an unpleasant smell for a week, simply remove the sawdust from the toilet and replace it with fresh one.

Some animals get very nervous in a clean cage. If you see that the homa rubs its sides against the walls, runs around the cage with sawdust in its mouth, or does not enter the house for a long time, change the cleaning process. Set aside some of the dirty sawdust and bedding from the house, and after cleaning, return them to their place. The familiar scent will shorten adaptation time and relieve stress.

Bathing and cleaning a fur coat

Dzungariki are very clean. They wash their face several times a day and try to keep their home clean. In order to keep their coat in perfect condition, give them sand baths 1-2 times a week.

Purchase sand for bathing chinchillas and put it in a three-liter jar or a special bathing suit. Place the animal there for 30 minutes. Tossing and turning in the sand, he will perfectly clean his fur coat.

If the fur is heavily stained, try brushing it or simply trimming it off. The use of water is highly discouraged. As a last resort, use a spray bottle. Spray the fur gently and comb through with a frequent comb.

Be careful not to get water in your ears, this can result in inflammation. Be sure to dry the wet animal with a towel so that it does not catch cold.

Stocks

IN wildlife rodents store supplies in burrows in case they cannot find food. Pets also like to hide food in cages. You can see how they diligently fill their cheek pouches and quickly carry food to the pantry. Usually a sleeping house is used as a storage room.

How to respond to such stocks? First, don't limit the amount of feed. The animal will remain hungry, but it will still postpone part of the food for a rainy day. Secondly, you do not need to completely throw out stocks when cleaning. This can be very stressful.

Despite the fact that the Dzhunagr hamster is an unpretentious pet, caring for him has a number of features. Before buying an animal, think about where it will live and what to eat.

The first pet of a child can be a Dzungarian hamster: care and maintenance will not require large money or time. All about Dzungarian hamsters at home can now be read on the Internet, so that the Dzungarik can live a relatively long and happy life, and bring only joy to the owners.

Many are interested in where Dzungarian hamsters live in nature in order to provide the pet with conditions as close to natural as possible. Dwarf hamsters are very widespread. They live in the steppes and semi-deserts of Kazakhstan, Asia, Russia (Western Siberia, Altai Territory). The name was given by the name of the province in northwestern China - Dzungaria. Sungur hamster (Phodopus sungorus) is an alternative name for the Dzungariks.

Hobby rodents are loners. Each animal equips a hole with 4-6 entrances, up to a meter deep, where a pantry, a bedroom, and a latrine are located in various branches. They come out of their holes at dusk and at night. They feed on grass, seeds, berries, insects.

Every day the sungurik runs several kilometers in search of food.

On the grassy plains, tiny hamsters have many enemies - birds of prey, ferrets, ermines. So that the babies are not extinct, nature has endowed them with a camouflage color and amazing fertility.

Appearance

Dwarf hamsters no more than 10 cm long and weighing 40-50 g. The animal is covered with thick short fur. The natural color is the most common: the back is gray-brown, with a pronounced black stripe along the spine. The tummy is light, the paws from the inside are also white. The eyes are black, bulging, shiny.

Djungarian hamster colors

Natural color is found most often, but in nurseries, selecting spectacular mutations in wool, we managed to get unusual colors. Tangerine repeats the natural pattern, but the fur is not dark, but light brown, red. Sapphire is blue-gray.

The rarest is "pearl", the white Dzungarian hamster. Pearl color is characterized by the loss of the dark streak along the ridge. Dzungarian hamster there is no black, or albino. This color variation indicates that it is, and not a sungurik.

A pet of an unusual color requires a responsible attitude: a "colored" rodent is less resistant to adverse conditions and stress. For example, red hamsters are carriers of the lethal gene, so individuals of the same color should not interbreed with each other.

In the wild, dark Dzungarian hamsters are susceptible to seasonal molt... They brighten: turn white or gray, although a dark stripe on the back remains. In an apartment, such a phenomenon is rare, because the temperature does not drop below 16 C, and the daylight hours are constant.

Maintenance and food: equipment

It is not difficult to take care of a dzungarik, even children can cope with this task. But for this you need to properly organize a hamster's life. The main rule is that the hamster should have its own home. If you want to start - you need 2 cells.

Cell

Despite the tiny size of the pet, the cage should be as large as possible, at least 50x30 cm. Single-tier cages are recommended to avoid injury. Instead of the usual lattice structure with a plastic pallet, you should take a closer look at closed "dunes" and cages with plastic inserts. Pipes and tunnels will help the animal feel at home. Good options:

Ferplast "Duna Fun"

Fop "Charlie Prestige"

IMAC Fantasy, 58x38x38.5 cm

A thick layer of corn or cellulose is poured onto the bottom, and white paper towels or napkins are placed in the house to build a nest.

"Gym"

A hamster must run several kilometers every day to stay healthy. In captivity, such activity can only be provided with help. For a dwarf, the diameter should be 16-18 cm. It should not have crossbars, the surface is solid or with a fine mesh so that the foot does not get stuck.

Besides the wheels are used. In it, the animal will be able to safely move around the apartment. It is good if the owner organizes a playground: a maze, tunnels.

Dining room equipment

The feeder is most often a small ceramic bowl: heavy enough not to roll over and easy to clean. Required, and a bowl of water is undesirable. It is better to hang up a closed container: a nipple or ball drinker.

Food

The basis of the diet is a grain mixture - ready-made food for dwarf hamsters. Due to its rapid metabolism, the hamster eats a lot. To keep your pet healthy, they use food from trusted manufacturers: Versele-Laga "Mini Hamster Nature", JR Farm, Vitakraft. Chika BIO "Food for Dzhungarian hamsters" can be an inexpensive domestic option.

In addition to cereals, the pet is given juicy food (vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs), and occasionally - and protein food (boiled chicken, low-fat cottage cheese). Contrary to the popular myth, a hamster cannot eat everything, eat "from the table". You will have to study carefully and stick to it.

In addition to food in the pet store, they buy delicacies - edible sticks and spikelets, a mineral stone for grinding teeth.

Other accessories (optional)

A small carrier cage will come in handy to take your pet to the veterinary clinic when moving. Homa is placed in it during general cleaning of the cage.

If the owner cares about the cleanliness of the fur and the absence of unpleasant things, they buy a bathing container and special sand for chinchillas.

Care and feeding

If you explain to your child how to care for a hamster, the little owner will feel responsible for the pet. Hamsters are fed every day, in the evening, when the animal wakes up. Change the water in the drinking bowl, it must always be fresh.

A point cage is carried out daily. It is necessary to promptly remove the remains of succulent feed in order to prevent spoilage and decay (inventory revision). The accumulations of faeces and wet litter are removed, adding fresh filler if necessary. Hamsters are clean, and organize a special toilet corner in the cage.

It is very important to keep the animal clean so that it does not get sick, but spring cleaning with a complete change of litter is stressful for hamsters. The cage is washed no more than once a week, using a sponge and fragrance-free laundry soap. All accessories are processed: a bowl, a wheel, toys. The drinker is disassembled and washed (the iron spout is cleaned of plaque and poured over with boiling water).

It is better to clean the cage according to the schedule (once every 7-10 days), without waiting for a strong smell to appear. Even with heavy pollution, toxic chemicals like bleach. To remove white spots from urine and eliminate odor, use vinegar (applied for 15 minutes).

Hamsters have a very sensitive psyche. The rearrangement in the cage makes them nervous, especially for the "pantry" - the reserves of food that the animal instinctively creates. With the regular ruin of the closet, he becomes desperate, unsuccessfully trying to find a more secluded place in the cage. Therefore, you need to clean your pet's house selectively, removing only products that are prone to spoilage. To reduce stress during general cleaning, some old filler and napkins from the nest are left in the cage.

Communication

Dzungariki have an independent character, and are not too eager to communicate. To wean the animal from biting and fearlessly picking it up, you will have to patiently tame it day after day. Raising a hamster once and for the rest of his life will not work: if you do not contact him for 1-2 weeks, the pet will again be shy, and hand training begins anew.

Conclusion

It is not difficult to take care of dzhungariki, the chores become even pleasant for the owner who is sincerely attached to his pet. Sweet habits and appearance make this species of dwarf hamsters the most common pet. With proper care, the animal will live for 2 years or more. Although for humans this period seems to be regrettably short, in captivity hamsters live much longer than their wild counterparts.

If you are considering the Dzungarian hamster as your pet, then before making a choice, we recommend that you also get acquainted with. The Syrian hamster is almost as popular as the dzungarik, but it differs significantly from its counterpart.

Dzungarian hamster (dzungarik): care and maintenance at home

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Dzungarian hamsters are very friendly creatures that can make great pets. In the wild, they live in groups in the forests, meadows and deserts of China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Siberia. There are several types of Dzungarian hamsters: winter white, campbell and roborovski. They should be kept in a cage equipped with obstacles and other activities for the hamster. Find out how best to arrange a home for your pet, and let your pet live happily ever after!

Steps

Build a home for your pet

Choose a cage for your hamster. Dzungarian hamsters grow up to 10-11 cm in length, they need a lot of space to play and run. The cage should be large enough to accommodate toys, a house, a food bowl and a drinking bowl. Choose one of the following options:

If you have multiple hamsters, set up a cage for them. Dzungarian hamsters love to live in small groups.

Buy litter for your hamster. Fillers are very beneficial for the health of your pets: they absorb moisture and warm the hamster. Fillers made from recycled paper, sawdust, or recycled corn cobs work well.

Think about where to put the cage. Hamsters are most active at night, so they should be placed in a room that is dark at night. This room should be warm. If your hamster catches a cold, it can get pneumonia.

• Do not open the windows in the room where you put your hamster cage.
• If you have other pets, place the crate where other pets cannot reach it.

1. Keep your hamster's cage clean at all times. A clean cage will keep your hamster healthy and happy. Change your hamster litter several times a week, wash the cage once a week. Wash it with antibacterial detergent and hot water to disinfect the cage. You can use white vinegar for washing. Wash the hamster wheel, toys, bowl, and drinker.

   Give your hamster treats. In addition to the main food and seed mix, give him a treat from time to time. These can be fruits, vegetables, and other fresh produce. Don't give your hamster too many vegetables and fruits to avoid an upset stomach!

Play with your hamster

There should be enough toys and other entertainment in the cage. Hamsters are very energetic animals and need to run and play a lot (especially at night). The hamster must have toys and various obstacles.

• The jogging wheel is considered a classic toy for a hamster. The wheel is mounted on the bottom of the cage or attached to the wall. These wheels are usually very noisy, so it is better to move the cage with the hamster to another room at night.
• Another very popular hamster toy is the walking ball. The hamster is put in a plastic ball, the hamster starts to move and the ball rolls. Place the ball on the floor away from the stairs.

1. Learn to handle your hamster. For the first few days, don't touch the hamster, just stick your hand into the cage and let the pet sniff you. The hamster needs to get used to your scent. Remember that your hamster has very fragile little bones, so don't squeeze it. When you pick up your hamster, try to put your hand under it, not grab it from above. This will make your hamster feel more relaxed. Try to pick up your hamster when he is on the floor. When the animal sees that it can easily retreat and hide, it will not resist and bite.

   Help your hamster to keep himself clean. Dzungarian hamsters are very clean and do not need your intervention. However, once a week, you can add some fine sand to a special container. The hamster will take sand baths because hamsters often dig in the sand in the wild.

   • If you notice that the hamster looks dirty and unkempt for some reason, take a small, wide brush, which is usually used for dyeing hair, or a toothbrush. Wet it and rub it gently over the hamster's fur. Then dry it off with a dry towel.
   • Never bathe your hamster in water! Your hamster can become seriously ill.

Take care of your hamster's health

1. Assess your hamster's health. Usually Dzungarian hamsters are rather stocky, with large pouched cheeks and short tails. Check your hamster for eye or nose discharge. Russian Dzungarian hamsters are especially prone to diabetes. If your hamster is sick, he will drink a lot and urinate frequently. If you suspect your pet has diabetes, consult your veterinarian.

   Check if your hamster has a wet tail. If the baby has just recently been weaned, or is very agitated, he may have diarrhea, which will cause the tail to be wet. For correct diagnosis and treatment, consult your veterinarian.

   Check your Djungarian hamster's eyes and nose regularly. They are especially susceptible to various viruses and can get infected from humans. The hamster can develop pneumonia. If your pet has pneumonia, you notice discharge from the eyes and nose, the hamster will refuse to eat. This is serious! Therefore, take your hamster to the vet immediately.

Many are convinced that Dzungarian hamsters are ideal pets. This opinion is explained by the fact that dzungariki are completely unpretentious in food and care, they are very popular with children and do not require significant maintenance costs. And even adults will like watching funny kids, studying their unusual habits and behavior.

If you want your pet to please you with good health and good mood for a long time, choose it responsibly. Determining whether an animal is healthy is not difficult at all. When buying, be sure to pay attention to the following points:

• The fur of the animal should shine and not have bald spots.
• Clear eyes, absence of suppuration and spots are an important indicator of the animal's condition.
• Be sure to inspect the animal's anus and fur around it. They don't have to be dirty. Diarrhea often indicates an infectious disease.
• The nose should be clean and pinkish in color.
• If the dzungarik is sleeping, be sure to wake him up and observe his behavior. Hamsters are very active by nature. Lethargy can be caused by illness or extreme stress, which often happens in the crowded and stuffy cells of the pet store. Animals are known to be more susceptible to illness during times of stress, so skip the purchase.

Dzungarian hamster

Many can't decide animal what gender select. If you do not plan to breed, then the issue of gender is not important for you. It is known that the character, habits and behavior of dzungariks do not depend on this factor.

Remember to consider the question pet transportation home. Veterinarians recommend purchasing a special carrier to transport your hamster. At its bottom, you should put a little sawdust, as well as a few pieces of carrots. If transportation takes more than 2 hours, be sure to provide the animal with access to water by hanging a drinking bowl.

You can carry the hamster in your arms only if he is not afraid of you and the journey will take no more than half an hour. This method is completely unsuitable for the first transportation of the jungarik home.

What do you need for a dzungarik?

Minimum set

In order for the Dzungarian hamster to somehow live for some time in your house, he will need a cage (even the smallest, in extreme cases, an aquarium or 3-5 liter jar) for living, food (it can be put directly on the bottom of the cage) and a drinking bowl. That is, the minimum Spartan set of a jungarik looks like this:

• mini cage
• drinker

Optimal set

For a normal life, it is advisable for a hamster to buy a larger cage. It would be convenient to feed him from a special feeder. For physical development, buy him a wheel, and for rest a house. It is advisable to put filler at the bottom of the cage in order to keep the hamster's home clean for longer and to soften its falls.

Therefore, the standard list of necessary things for Dzungarian hamsters looks like this:

• Medium cage
• Trough
• Drinker
• House
• Wheel
• Cell filler

With such a set, the hamster will feel quite comfortable and cozy.

Ideal - all inclusive

If you do not regret the money and want to create excellent living conditions for your hamster, then you will need to purchase everything from the previous option. But it is advisable to buy a larger cage: a two-story one with special pipes that replace underground burrows for the hamster.

In addition, the dzungarik will be happy to gnaw a special chalk stone for grinding teeth, in addition to the main food, eat special snacks, occasionally walk around the apartment in a special bowl and swim in fine sand.

Here's our perfect list of things to keep a Jungar hamster:

• Spacious and comfortable cage
• House
• Feeder (preferably divided into two sections);
• Drinker
• Wheel (always solid or with a fine mesh);
• Cell filler
• Chalk stone
• Bathing suit and sand
• Walking ball
• Yummy

Additional features

Bring your dzungarik sometimes twigs of trees. Hamsters love to chew them. And also spoil him sometimes with special toys for hamsters, including edible ones.

• Twigs
• Toys

Dzungarian hamster cage

In order for the adaptation period to pass easily and calmly for the pet, be sure to equip a comfortable home for it. Now in the pet store you can buy any cages for dzhungariks from the simplest and most budgetary ones to “palaces” that are not cheap. Consider the pros and cons of different cells.

Traditional cage with twigs

This option is good because the hamster will be able to actively exercise, climbing the rods. He will also be provided with a comfortable temperature and constant fresh air.

The main disadvantages are the noise that the pet will make in it at night, and the dirt. Be prepared for the hamster to spread the filler all over the floor surrounding the cage as he runs and plays.

Also, the cage is not suitable for those who have other pets. A cat or dog can easily get to the jungarik through the twigs.

Aquarium

Many readers ask: "Is it possible to keep a dzungarian in an aquarium?" We answer: “You can. But there are also disadvantages of this option. "

In the case of an aquarium, the pet's nighttime noise will hardly bother you. But there are a lot of downsides: the difficulty of cleaning, the difficult flow of fresh air and the lack of exercise.

Plastic house

Such a cage will become a real paradise for your jungarik! A multitude of pipes, manholes and nooks and crannies will provide him with an active and fun pastime. The only drawback of such a house is its high price. Remember that you can equip a simple cage yourself - it is much cheaper.

Be sure to get your pet a small house. In it he will be able to sleep, rest and hide, which will make his life much more comfortable. It is worth giving preference wooden house... They are less durable than plastic, but chewing them is harmless.

Some hamsters enjoy living in hanging houses. They are perfect if the cage is small or heavily packed.
There are also thatched houses. It will not work as the main dwelling. But if you are looking for something to pamper a dzungarik, think about such an acquisition.

Food

The key to your pet's health is proper nutrition... Try to feed the jungarik at the same time. 7-8 am and 8 pm are ideal when the hamster starts to wake up.

Morning feeds should include juicy food, protein, and boiled vegetables. In the evening, you should give the dzhungarik dry food, cereals and some delicacy.

If you are caring for a pregnant female, feed her 4 times a day at regular intervals.

Main menu

The basis of the diet of a dzhungarik should be:

• dry food specially designed for Dzungarian hamsters;
• nuts (except almonds) and seeds;
• dried fruits;
• seedlings of grains;
• cereals;
• seedless berries (grapes are allowed in small quantities);
• fresh fruits and vegetables;
• non-starchy vegetables cooked without salt;
• fresh herbs, lettuce leaves;
• leaves and dried twigs of deciduous and fruit trees;
• rose petals (purchased from a flower shop are not suitable, as they have been treated with pesticides);
• carob and homemade croutons as a treat.

Extra menu

The protein component of the menu (several times a week in small quantities):

• boiled chicken fillet;
• lean boiled fish;
• natural yogurt, kefir and cottage cheese;
• boiled egg white.

As complementary foods for sick, thin or pregnant hamsters, you can use baby food without salt and sugar, cereals cooked in water.

For constipation, you can give a drop of vegetable oil, and for diarrhea, sticky rice will help.

What can not be given to a dzungarik

List of prohibited foods:

• spices, sugar and salt;
• kozinaki;
• ice cream;
• cookies, chocolate;
• citrus;
• watermelon;
• mint;
• garlic and onions;
• mushrooms;
• potatoes;
• fruit pits;
• butter;
• milk, cream, sour cream;
• sausages, sausages;
• coniferous branches.

Care

Cleaning the cage

The bad smell of the cage will not bother you if you regularly clean it once every 1-1.5 weeks. Place the hamster in the carrier. Remove the dirty litter, leaving a small amount (this will make the hamster feel more comfortable), and add a fresh one. Once a month, do a wet cleaning by rinsing the bottom of the cage with water and laundry soap.

Bathing

Never wash your hamster in water! If you notice that your pet's fur coat is matted and does not shine, give him a sand bath. To do this, purchase a special bathing suit (a three-liter can is also suitable) and sand for chinchillas. Pour some sand into the bathing suit and run the jungarik there. Soon you will be watching him wallow in the sand and peel his hide.

As you can see, caring for dzhungariki is not very difficult. Clean the cage regularly, provide your hamster with access to water and fresh food, and of course play with him regularly. These simple steps will ensure your pet has a happy and healthy life!

One of the smallest pets is the Dzungarian hamster. These small and funny creatures differ in that they can live both in an apartment and can easily adapt to natural conditions. They perfectly adapt to survival in summer and winter. Dzungariki are peaceful and harmless, but sometimes they can show a hot temperament and even be aggressive. Lovely hamsters need care and are very popular with pet lovers.

Dzungarian hamsters: description, photo

Unusual animals in natural conditions common in Khakassia, Western Siberia and in the Eastern Caucasus. They live in semi-deserts and dry steppes. Weighing from 35 to 65 g the growth of a hamster can reach 10 cm... Dzungariki are different:

• not very long hair with significant white blotches;
• almost white belly;
• a fairly well-defined border between the color of the abdomen and back;
• grayish in summer and almost white in winter;
• a very short tail, which can not be seen when the animal is sitting;
• dark stripe on the back;
• hair-covered feet.

Dzungarian hamsters have several species, which differ in skin color. They may be brown, white or light gray... Some species of rodents do not have stripes on their backs, while others, on the contrary, are striped.

The front legs of these cute animals are very similar to hands. When they eat, they hold their food. Dzungariki are practically odorless, which makes them ideal for keeping in apartments.

Behavior of Dzungarian hamsters at home

What makes rodents especially popular is the thriftiness inherent in nature, which works in any conditions. In nature, they stock up on food for the winter, collecting seeds for this in their cheek bags. The hamster released in the house will start running around the room and collecting all sorts of small things, even if they are not edible. Behind his cheeks can be found small objects or even bits of soap and thread.

Dzungariki are very friendly, and love to play with children and sleep in their arms. They just love to be stroked. At night and during the day, hamsters love to sleep, and at dusk they become very active. In order for the animal to maintain its shape, a wheel must be placed in the cage, along which the rodent will be happy to run.

Dzungarian hamsters are very clean and constantly clean their hair. But it is not recommended to wash them with water. If your hamster's coat needs cleaning, you can use sand, but never water.

From the Syrian djungariki hamster differ in non-standard behavior... They can be aggressive, therefore it is not recommended to keep two individuals in one cage. Since each of the rodents loves to own their territory, they can simply injure each other. If you buy a Dzungarian hamster for a child, then you should not forget that he can show aggression and injure the baby. You need to be very careful with this small animal.

Jungarik's choice

Since this type of hamster is by nature solitary, only one rodent can be kept in the house. The opinion that two hamsters in the same cage will not be so sad is wrong. Each animal will need a separate dwelling. Therefore, if you are not going to breed hamsters, then it is best to purchase one individual.

Many are interested in how to determine the sex of a rodent... If the seller cannot help in this matter, then you can proceed as follows:

1. Place the back of the hamster on the palm of your hand, while holding the upper body with your thumbs.
2. In this position, you can easily see the back of the animal. And if he has at least one centimeter between the genitals and the anus and there is a formed gland in the center of the tummy, then you have a male.
3. In females, the distance between the genitals and the anus is very small, and no gland is visible. Females also differ in two rows of papillae.

To determine exactly that the hamster offered to you is Dzungarian, you just need to look at its back, where there must be a gray strip.

Features of keeping Dzungarian hamsters

First of all, you need to prepare a cage for your pet. For the normal functioning of the animal and increase its lifespan, it must have approximate dimensions 50x30 cm... The purchased box must be filled in. For this you will need:

Pet stores offer rodent cage equipment various sections, ladders, tunnels, which are purchased at the request of the owner.

A cage with a hamster should not stand in a draft and the sun, next to a battery or a noisy object like a TV.

Dzungarik care

It is quite easy to take care of a rodent, since it carries out all the hygiene procedures itself. With the help of paws and tongue, the pet thoroughly cleans its body. Even in burrows in which Dzungarian hamsters live in nature, they manage to stay clean. This property was also transferred to domesticated animals at the genetic level. They will not shit where they have to, but will choose one corner for the latrine. This behavior of the rodent makes it very easy to care for him.

When caring for hamsters, keep in mind that dzungarian people molt in winter... Gray blotches disappear on their skin, and it turns white, with only one stripe on the back. Molt duration depends on longitude daylight hours... If the duration is short, the hamster changes color within six weeks.

Rodent feeding

The simplest option for feeding a Dzungarian hamster is special feed mixtures purchased at a pet store. They include corn, seeds, oats, peas, nuts.

From natural products, rodents can be fed with fruits and dried fruits, corn, zucchini, carrots, plantain, lettuce. From fruits, pets should not be given only citrus fruits. They will happily feast on bananas, apricots, peaches, apples.

Since the diet of the dzungarians must include protein, twice a week they need to be given boiled eggs, boiled chicken, low-fat cottage cheese. You can add earthworms, dried gammarus, boiled shrimp to the diet.

When feeding your hamster, be sure to keep an eye on what it hides in its closet. There should be no perishable food, otherwise the rodent may have digestive problems.

Reproduction of Dzungarian hamsters

If you have several hamsters and they are kept separately, then the female should be added to the male during the estrus period. It is characterized by the female arching her back and raising her tail. Such actions mean that she is ready to mate. This period is repeated every five days.

Those who are going to breed dzungariks need to know that a female at home can be fertilized all year round, and produce offspring two to three times a year... Three to nine little hamsters are usually born at a time.

Pregnancy usually lasts 17 to 21 days. At this time, the female should not be picked up and disturbed. She should be fed protein food and provided with napkins with which she will build a nest. Two to three days before giving birth, the wheel and the house should be removed from the cage.

In the first days, babies born blind are completely defenseless. Only in the second week their eyes will open. A couple of months after birth, Dzungarian hamsters become fully mature.

The Dzungarian hamster, a photo of which can be seen in the article, will become a good friend, both for kids and adults. And since its maintenance and care are very simple, the child can cope with them.

Dzungariki at home