Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Small Mammal Pets/Answer Key"

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:''This article concerns a particular breed of rabbit, the Netherland dwarfFor information on domestic rabbits in general, see [[Domestic rabbit]].''
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{{Taxobox_begin | color=pink | name=Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster}}
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{{Taxobox image | image = [[Image:Phodopus_sungorus.jpg|250px]] | caption = Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster, normal color}}
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{{Taxobox_begin_placement | color = pink}}
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{{Taxobox_regnum_entry | taxon = [[Animal]]ia}}
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{{Taxobox_phylum_entry | taxon = [[Chordate|Chordata]]}}
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{{Taxobox_classis_entry | taxon = [[Mammal]]ia}}
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{{Taxobox_ordo_entry | taxon = [[Rodentia]]}}
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{{Taxobox_subordo_entry | taxon=[[Sciurognathi]]}}
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{{Taxobox_infraordo_entry | taxon=[[Myodonta]]}}
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{{Taxobox_superfamilia_entry | taxon = [[Muroidea]]}}
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{{Taxobox_familia_entry | taxon = [[Cricetidae]]}}
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{{Taxobox_subfamilia_entry | taxon = [[Cricetinae]]}}
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{{Taxobox_genus_entry | taxon=''[[Phodopus]]''}}
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{{Taxobox_end_placement}}
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{{Taxobox_section_subdivision | color = pink |plural_taxon= Binomial name}}
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*''Phodopus sungorus''
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*''Phodopus sungorus sungorus''
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(see text)
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{{Taxobox_end}}
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'''Winter White Russian hamsters''' are a species of [[hamster]] in the genus ''[[Phodopus]]''They are typically half the size of the better-known [[Syrian hamster]], and therefore called dwarf hamsters along with all ''Phodopus'' species. Features include a typically dark grey dorsal stripe and furry feet. The tail is so short that it hardly shows if the hamster is sitting. In the winter, Winter Whites can turn almost completely white, hence the name Winter White. This is due to a reduction of '''sunlight''', in Winter, there is less light, this causes the hamsters coat to change completely white, this is to help them evade predators in the snow covered Steppes of winter.
  
[[Image:Netherlanddwarfbunny.jpg|right|thumb|A pet Netherland dwarf rabbit]]
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Up until recently, it was debated wether the Winter White hamster was a sub-species of the Campbells (''Phodopus campbelli'') or not, however, it has now been proven that the Winter whites are of their own species ''Phodopus sungorus''.
The '''Netherland dwarf rabbit''' is a popular [[breed]] of [[domestic rabbit]] (''Oryctolagus cuniculus'').  Smaller than most [[List of rabbit breeds|rabbit breeds]], Netherland dwarf rabbits weigh 1 to 3 [[pound|lb]] (0.5 to 1.4 kg) and are usually kept as [[pet]]s or [[exhibition]] animals.  They are not typically used as sources of [[meat]] or [[fur]] because their small size makes them inefficient for these purposes.
 
  
Most rabbits sold in [[pet store]]s are Netherland dwarfs, Netherland dwarf-[[selective breeding|derived breeds]] (often referred to simply as ''[[#Dwarf breeds|dwarf breeds]]''), or dwarf [[hybrid|crosses]]. Their popularity as pets stems from their [[baby]]ish appearance and their [[cage]] space requirement, which is smaller than that of larger rabbit breeds.
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==Winter White Russian hamsters as pets==
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They are often found on the [[pet]] market, in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] more so than in the [[US]]. Care is similar to that of the Campbells [[hamster]]. Winter White hamsters generally make excellent pets, however, a larger Syrian [[hamster]] would be more suitable for younger childeren as they can be handled more clumsily. Winter White hamsters should not be fed food containing sources of [[simple sugar]] because of the risk of developing [[diabetes mellitus]].
  
==History==
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Winter White's, like their close relatives the Campbell's, can be housed together in pairs or trio's, or perhaps more. They enjoy each others company and are possibly the most communal hamsters in terms of living arrangements.
The Netherland dwarf was first bred in the [[Netherlands]], as its name implies, in the early [[20th century]]. Medium-sized rabbits of various breeds were bred with wild [[European rabbit]]s of unusually small size; after several generations the resulting animal was a very small domestic rabbit available in a wide variety of colors and patterns.  Netherland dwarfs were first imported into the [[United Kingdom]] in the [[1950s]].  In the [[1960s]] and [[1970s]] the [[United States]] imported its first Netherland dwarf rabbits.
 
  
Early dwarfs, even into the 1970s and [[1980s]], had fearful and sometimes aggressive [[temperament]]s as a result of [[breeder]]s selecting [[breeder (animal)|breeding animals]] for size, not [[personality]]. These rabbits behaved more like [[wild]] rabbits than domestic animals and did not make good pets.  However, through generations of [[selective breeding]], the modern Netherland dwarf has become a gentle, friendly pet rabbit, though it still retains a more energetic disposition than larger breeds.
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In general, dwarf hamsters typically have more of a family structure than the Syrian hamster.  Dwarf hamsters will happily live in mated pairs, with both male and female caring for the young, but some report that same-sex pairs and larger groups will rarely get along well, as they wouldn't live together like that in nature. Frequent fighting may occur and be a great distress for them, or even lead to deadly incidents. This is in contrast to the Campbell's species and remains an item of dispute among hamster owners.
  
==Appearance==
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Winter White hamsters used to be only available in their typical Brown/black "Normal" color, but they are now available in a variety of colors. Colors include at least normal (dark grey/brown), pearl normal, sapphire and pearl sapphire variations. However, these colors may be difficult to find, and the number of available colors is much smaller than in the dwarf Campell's hamster.
[[Image:Netherlanddwarf-loki.jpg|thumb|right|Young Netherland dwarf in a mismarked Himalayan pattern]]
 
[[Purebred]] Netherland dwarfs come in a wide variety of colors, including [[List of rabbit breeds#Himalayan|Himalayan]], Red, Siamese, [[List of rabbit breeds#Chinchilla|Chinchilla]], Blue, and White-tipped Black.  Other colors (called ''mismarks'') exist in non-show-quality Netherland dwarfs and in dwarf [[mongrel]] rabbits.
 
  
Netherland dwarfs' [[head]]s and [[eye]]s are disproportionately large with respect to their bodies, and their ears are tiny and carried high on the head.  Additionally, their faces are rounded and shortened.  These features, a part of the animals' [[dwarfism]], cause them to look [[infant]]ile even into [[adulthood]].
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== External links ==
  
Dwarf crosses frequently retain some of these characteristics, depending on the breed the dwarf is crossed with.  However, crosses rarely look as babyish as the [[purebred]] dwarfs and are usually somewhat larger.
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* [http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/dwarf_winter_white_russian_hamsters.htm PetWebSite pages on Winter Whites]
  
==Netherland dwarfs as pets==
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[[Category:Hamsters]]
:''Main article: [[Domestic rabbit#Rabbits as Pets|Domestic rabbit]]''
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[[Category:Animals kept as pets]]
  
===Behavior===
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[[de:Dsungarischer Zwerghamster]]
Netherland dwarf rabbits have the same basic behavioral traits as other domestic rabbits. They can be litter-trained and socialized with [[dog]]s and [[cat]]s.
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[[fi:Venäjänkääpiöhamsteri]]
 
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[[nl:Russische dwerghamster]]
They tend to have [[wikt:spunky|spunkier]] and more energetic [[temperament]]s than larger breeds of rabbit and are rarely content to sit still when outside of the cage.  They are curious animals and have a tendancy to nibble on nearby objects and even human beings.  However, they are extremely fragile animals and easily stressed, and as such they do not make good pets for young children.
 
 
 
===Diet===
 
Like other domestic rabbits, dwarf rabbits consume [[grasses]], [[cereal|grains]], and other succulent [[Leaf vegetable|greens]]. Their [[digestive system]] is somewhat less hardy than their larger cousins, and many leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage can give them health problems.  Generally [[hay]] and a [[pellet]]ed feed should make up the largest portion of their diet.
 
 
 
==Dwarf breeds==
 
 
 
Rabbit breeds derived from breeding larger rabbits with the Netherland dwarf are known as ''dwarf breeds''.  Most smaller breeds, like the Mini-Rex, the Jersey Wooly, and the Holland lop, are results of such breedings.  Generally dwarf breeds are slightly larger than the typical Netherland dwarf, not growing larger than 4 to 5 lb (1.8 to 2.3 kg).  Most have shortened faces compared to larger rabbits, and some even preserve the rounded [[head]], large [[eye]]s, or small [[ear]]s of the Netherland dwarf.
 
 
 
Most dwarf breeds are intended to bring a specialized characteristic, such as a specific fur type, into a smaller rabbit.  Mini-Rex were created through the breeding of dwarfs with [[List of rabbit breeds#Rex|Rex]] rabbits, a fur breed with a short, [[plush]] coat, and retain both the dwarf's size and the Rex fur.  Jersey Woolies are a dwarf version of the [[Angora rabbit]], a [[wool]]-producing breed.  [[List of rabbit breeds#Lop|Lop]]-eared rabbit breeds, interbred with dwarfs, were used to create Holland lop and Mini-lop rabbits.
 
 
 
==See also==
 
*[[List of rabbit breeds]]
 
*[[American Rabbit Breeders' Association]]
 
*[[Cuteness]]
 
 
 
[[Category:Animals kept as pets]]
 
[[Category:Leporids]]
 

Revision as of 11:16, 8 October 2005

Template:Taxobox begin Template:Taxobox image Template:Taxobox begin placement Template:Taxobox regnum entry Template:Taxobox phylum entry Template:Taxobox classis entry Template:Taxobox ordo entry Template:Taxobox subordo entry Template:Taxobox infraordo entry Template:Taxobox superfamilia entry Template:Taxobox familia entry Template:Taxobox subfamilia entry Template:Taxobox genus entry Template:Taxobox end placement Template:Taxobox section subdivision

  • Phodopus sungorus
  • Phodopus sungorus sungorus

(see text) Template:Taxobox end Winter White Russian hamsters are a species of hamster in the genus Phodopus. They are typically half the size of the better-known Syrian hamster, and therefore called dwarf hamsters along with all Phodopus species. Features include a typically dark grey dorsal stripe and furry feet. The tail is so short that it hardly shows if the hamster is sitting. In the winter, Winter Whites can turn almost completely white, hence the name Winter White. This is due to a reduction of sunlight, in Winter, there is less light, this causes the hamsters coat to change completely white, this is to help them evade predators in the snow covered Steppes of winter.

Up until recently, it was debated wether the Winter White hamster was a sub-species of the Campbells (Phodopus campbelli) or not, however, it has now been proven that the Winter whites are of their own species Phodopus sungorus.

Winter White Russian hamsters as pets

They are often found on the pet market, in Europe and Asia more so than in the US. Care is similar to that of the Campbells hamster. Winter White hamsters generally make excellent pets, however, a larger Syrian hamster would be more suitable for younger childeren as they can be handled more clumsily. Winter White hamsters should not be fed food containing sources of simple sugar because of the risk of developing diabetes mellitus.

Winter White's, like their close relatives the Campbell's, can be housed together in pairs or trio's, or perhaps more. They enjoy each others company and are possibly the most communal hamsters in terms of living arrangements.

In general, dwarf hamsters typically have more of a family structure than the Syrian hamster. Dwarf hamsters will happily live in mated pairs, with both male and female caring for the young, but some report that same-sex pairs and larger groups will rarely get along well, as they wouldn't live together like that in nature. Frequent fighting may occur and be a great distress for them, or even lead to deadly incidents. This is in contrast to the Campbell's species and remains an item of dispute among hamster owners.

Winter White hamsters used to be only available in their typical Brown/black "Normal" color, but they are now available in a variety of colors. Colors include at least normal (dark grey/brown), pearl normal, sapphire and pearl sapphire variations. However, these colors may be difficult to find, and the number of available colors is much smaller than in the dwarf Campell's hamster.

External links

de:Dsungarischer Zwerghamster fi:Venäjänkääpiöhamsteri nl:Russische dwerghamster