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

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{{Taxobox
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''This article concerns a particular breed of rabbit, the Netherland dwarfFor information on domestic rabbits in general, see [[Domestic rabbit]].''
| color = pink
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''For information on the country, see [[Netherlands]]''
| name = Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster
 
| image = Phodopus_sungorus2.jpg
 
| image_width = 250px
 
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
 
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
 
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
 
| ordo = [[Rodentia]]
 
| subordo = [[Myomorpha]]
 
| superfamilia = [[Muroidea]]
 
| familia = [[Cricetidae]]
 
| subfamilia = [[Cricetinae]]
 
| genus = ''[[Phodopus]]''
 
| subdivision_ranks = Binomial name
 
| subdivision =
 
*''Phodopus sungorus''
 
*''Phodopus sungorus sungorus''
 
(see text)
 
}}
 
'''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 gray dorsal stripe and furry feet. The tail is so short that it hardly shows when the hamster is sitting. As winter approaches and the days get shorter, Winter Whites' dark fur greys until it is almost completely white (hence the name). In the wild, this adaptation helps them evade predators in the snow covered Steppes of winter. They live mainly in [[Siberia]] and are also found in [[Dzungaria]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Mongolia]] and [[Manchuria]].
 
  
Up until recently, it was debated whether the Winter White hamster was a [[sub-species]] of the [[Campbell's dwarf hamster|Campbell's]] (''Phodopus campbelli'') or not; however, it has now been proven that the Winter whites are of their own species, ''Phodopus sungorus''.
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[[Image:Netherlanddwarfbunny.jpg|right|thumb|A pet Netherland Dwarf]]
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The '''Netherland Dwarf''' 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 (mass)|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.
  
==Winter White Russian hamsters as pets==
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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, although they should be given a reasonably large exercise run because of their energetic characters.
They are often found on the [[pet]] market, in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] more so than in the [[United States|U.S.]]. They are rarely found in pet stores in Canada. Care is similar to that of the Campbell's [[hamster]]. Winter White hamsters generally make excellent pets.  However, a larger Syrian [[hamster]] would be more suitable for younger children as they can be handled more clumsily. Winter White hamsters should not be fed food containing sources of [[monosaccharide]]s because of the risk of developing [[diabetes mellitus]].
 
  
Winter Whites, other than their close relatives, the Campbell's, often cannot be housed together in groups. Although quite some pet owners report that their winter white hamsters enjoy each others company, it is much more common that --after reaching sexual maturity--, they start fighting violently, causing serious injury to each other. Hence, it is usual (though not undisputedly) recommended to keep them solitary.
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==History==
 +
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.
  
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.
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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.
  
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 gray/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 Campbell's hamster.
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==Appearance==
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[[Image:Netherlanddwarf-loki.jpg|thumb|right|Young Netherland dwarf in a mismarked Himalayan pattern]]
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[[Purebred]] Netherland dwarfs come in a wide variety of colors, including [[List of rabbit breeds#Himalayan|Himalayan]], Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Smoke Pearl, Sable Point, Tortoiseshell, Chestnut, Siamese Sable, Opal, Lynx, Squirrel, [[List of rabbit breeds#Chinchilla|Chinchilla]], Otter, Tan, Silver Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Orange, Fawn, Steel, Blue-Eyed White and Ruby Eyed White. Other colors (including ''mismarks'') exist in non-show-quality Netherland dwarfs and in dwarf [[mongrel]] rabbits.
  
Winter White hamsters, also called Siberian hamsters, come from the steppes of Siberia and Kazakhstan and possess an adaptation not seen in Campbell's; they can moult into a white winter coatThis camouflages them against the snow and also gives them their name.
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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 headAdditionally, their faces are rounded and shortened. These features, a part of the animals' [[dwarfism]], cause them to look [[infant]]ile even into [[adulthood]].
This moulting is brought on by the amount of sunlight, if the hamster is kept in a dark environment, they will change into their "winter" coat.
 
When in the winter coat, Winter Whites will become infertile.
 
  
[[Image:Phodopus_sungorus.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster, normal color]]
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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.
  
== External links ==
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==Netherland dwarfs as pets==
*[http://www.hamstersecretsrevealed/blog/ Hamster Secrets Revealed]
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:''Main article: [[Domestic rabbit#Rabbits as Pets|Domestic rabbit]]''
*[http://www.hamster-heaven.com Hamster Heaven]
 
*[http://www.xander.it/video.htm Xander.it] - Winter White video gallery
 
*[http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/dwarf_winter_white_russian_hamsters.htm PetWebSite pages on Winter Whites]
 
*[http://www.furrycritters.co.uk FurryCritters]
 
  
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===Behavior===
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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.
  
[[Category:Hamsters]]
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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 tendency 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.
[[Category:Animals kept as pets]]
 
  
[[de:Dsungarischer Zwerghamster]]
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===Diet===
[[es:Phodopus sungorus]]
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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.
[[fr:Hamster russe]]
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[[it:Phodopus sungorus]]
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==Dwarf breeds==
[[he:אוגר סיבירי]]
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[[nl:Russische dwerghamster]]
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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.
[[ja:ジャンガリアンハムスター]]
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[[pl:Chomik dżungarski]]
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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.
[[fi:Venäjänkääpiöhamsteri]]
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[[zh:短尾侏儒倉鼠]]
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==See also==
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*[[List of rabbit breeds]]
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*[[American Rabbit Breeders' Association]]
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*[[Cuteness]]
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 +
[[Category:Rabbits as pets]]
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[[Category:Leporids]]
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 +
[[zh:荷蘭侏儒兔]]

Revision as of 05:37, 19 September 2006

This article concerns a particular breed of rabbit, the Netherland dwarf. For information on domestic rabbits in general, see Domestic rabbit. For information on the country, see Netherlands

A pet Netherland Dwarf

The Netherland Dwarf is a popular breed of domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Smaller than most rabbit breeds, Netherland dwarf rabbits weigh 1 to 3 lb (0.5 to 1.4 kg) and are usually kept as pets 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 stores are Netherland dwarfs, Netherland dwarf-derived breeds (often referred to simply as dwarf breeds), or dwarf crosses. Their popularity as pets stems from their babyish appearance and their cage space requirement, which is smaller than that of larger rabbit breeds, although they should be given a reasonably large exercise run because of their energetic characters.

History

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 rabbits 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 temperaments as a result of breeders selecting 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.

Appearance

Young Netherland dwarf in a mismarked Himalayan pattern

Purebred Netherland dwarfs come in a wide variety of colors, including Himalayan, Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Smoke Pearl, Sable Point, Tortoiseshell, Chestnut, Siamese Sable, Opal, Lynx, Squirrel, Chinchilla, Otter, Tan, Silver Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Orange, Fawn, Steel, Blue-Eyed White and Ruby Eyed White. Other colors (including mismarks) exist in non-show-quality Netherland dwarfs and in dwarf mongrel rabbits.

Netherland dwarfs' heads and eyes 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 infantile even into adulthood.

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.

Netherland dwarfs as pets

Main article: Domestic rabbit

Behavior

Netherland dwarf rabbits have the same basic behavioral traits as other domestic rabbits. They can be litter-trained and socialized with dogs and cats.

They tend to have spunkier and more energetic temperaments than larger breeds of rabbit and are rarely content to sit still when outside of the cage. They are curious animals and have a tendency 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, grains, and other succulent 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 pelleted 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 eyes, or small ears 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 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. Lop-eared rabbit breeds, interbred with dwarfs, were used to create Holland lop and Mini-lop rabbits.

See also

zh:荷蘭侏儒兔