Syrian hamsters are some of the most common hamster breeds available today. They are treated as adorable pets who are cute, easy to keep and friendly. Another common name for them is Golden Hamsters, due to their coat. So, if you are considering to get a Syrian hamster, well-done.
Although they are friendly and safe to keep, they are a bit different than other hamsters. The main thing to know is that a Syrian hamster must be kept in a separate cage after he reached 4-5 weeks of age. They are extremely aggressive to other members of the same species, therefore they can injure or even kill another hamster if you keep them in the same cage. The same thing applies if you try to keep a Syrian hamster in the same cage with other hamster species.
When it comes to the size, it cannot be generalized, but usually, they can grow between 4 and 7 inches. Females are bigger than males. The average lifespan is between 2 and 2.5 years, however, there are cases in which a Syrian hamster can live up to 4 years. The longest living hamster held a record of 4.5 years.
Some of the main differences between this and other hamsters are in the coat, which is thicker, then we have a short tail, small eyes, and cheeks which are simply said, adorable.
Colors of these hamsters include cinnamon, red and rust, but there are some who are darker in color. There are also several patterns possible. Usually, they are black with dots, solid, in one color only or white fur mixed with dots.
The last, but not least important facts to know is that these hamsters don’t like insects as much as other species. They are much better when it comes to escaping than dwarf hamsters as well. Also, they may require more frequent maintenance than other species.
Choosing the right cage
Choosing a cage for a Syrian hamster is a bit more complicated than doing the same for other species. First of all, they require a bigger cage than dwarf or other hamster species. The size cannot be generalized, but keep in mind that a larger cage is always a better idea. Don’t try to save money on a small cage because it won’t be appealing to your pet.
The grid of a cage must be ½ inches or less, due to obvious fact. As we have already mentioned, they are an escape artist, so they will always look for a way to escape the cage. The grid size is mandatory to consider simply because they cannot move between the wiring. If you get a larger distance, they may get stuck or they escape. It is extremely difficult to catch them.
A cage must not be very tall. These hamsters are known for climbing as high as possible. Once they reach the top, they usually get tired and fell at the bottom. This can cause some injuries and has a negative effect on the behavior of hamsters. Always look for a flat, but a large cage. They are the safest and the most appealing option.
Tubes and toys inside must be carefully chosen as well. These are active, nocturnal hamsters, so they may stuck if you choose smaller tubes. In this case, the bigger is always better, so pay attention to that.
A good thing is a fact there are plenty of cages which are specially developed for Syrian hamsters. They are escape proof, which you can see if you examine the cage closely. Then, they come with a superb ventilation system, which is needed as well, due to their size. The last, they are easy to clean. Syrian hamsters produce waste more than any other hamster species, therefore easy to clean cage is mandatory.
Adding ceramic, wooden and plastic hideouts will have a wonderful effect on your pet. Always make him feel as comfortable as possible.
Summary
It is mandatory to remember that Syrian hamsters are much bigger than any other species, so they require larger cages. They must be kept alone at all times and they require escape-proof cages. Only if you match all of this with your new cage, you will have a happy and safe Syrian hamster.
