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

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[[Image:Random 006.jpg|thumb|250px|A black and white Dutch rabbit]]
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{{Taxobox
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| color = pink
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| name = Roborovski Hamster
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| image = Susu_The_Hamster_Roby.JPG
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| image_width = 220px
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
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| phylum = [[Chordata]]
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| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
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| ordo = [[Rodent]]ia
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| familia = [[Cricetidae]]
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| subfamilia = [[Cricetinae]]
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| genus = ''[[Phodopus]]''
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| species = '''''P. roborovski'''''
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| binomial = ''Phodopus roborovski''
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| binomial_authority = ([[K. A Satunin|Satunin]], 1903)
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}}
  
The '''Dutch rabbit''', easily identifiable by its characteristic colour pattern, was once the most popular of all [[rabbit]] breeds. However, after [[dwarf rabbits]] were developed, the popularity of the small rabbit dwindled. Nevertheless, the Dutch rabbit remains one of the top ten most popular breeds worldwide.
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'''Roborovskis''' ('''''Phodopus roborovski''''') are the smallest and fastest of all [[hamster]]s and are commonly kept as [[pet]]s. Distinguishing characteristics of the Roborovskis are the white spots where their eyebrows would be, and the lack of a dorsal stripe commonly seen in dwarf hamsters. They live, on average, to three and a half years of age - the longest of any domestic hamster.
  
It is thought that the Dutch rabbit was first developed in the lowlands of the [[United Kingdom]] with ancestors from the [[Netherlands]] and [[Belgium]]. In the beginning of the 19th century, the Dutch rabbit was imported into England where it continued to thrive as a [[meat]] breed.  
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They are very curious, however easily startled and generally quite shy.  They are social and when socialised from an early age, sleep together in one place. Their speed makes them generally unsuitable for children who wish to have a pet they can hold and play. They are very affectionate when introduced at a young age. They do have very good tempermant and rarely bite. As they grow to be roughly the size of an adult's thumb, they can easily squeeze through the bars of a standard hamster cage, and so careful consideration needs to be given to housing. Always ask pet shop owners or breeders what is the best ideal cage to use. Because of their size and speed, Roborovskis are best for people who prefer to observe rather than to play with their pet.
  
== Appearance ==
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{|
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|-
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| [[image:Roborovski Face.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Roborovskis' facial markings differ from those of other hamsters.]]
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| [[image:Roborovskis Sleeping Together.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Roborovskis are extremely social and like to sleep together.]]
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|}
  
The Dutch rabbit is a fairly small breed, weighing between 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 pounds. Despite its popularity, the Dutch rabbit has not changed much over the years. The most striking aspect of the breed is the marking pattern, and it is available in eight different colours and a few unique multi-coloured versions.
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Because of their size and features, they can be comical pets when observed in social groups. If kept together in mixed sex pairs or groups Roborovski Hamsters usually start to breed in the spring following the year in which the female was born. Females often become sterile at around 24 months of age but males usually remain fertile for most of their life.
  
The front of the face, front part of the body, and one third of the of the rear paws are white. The cheeks, ears and belly are coloured. The saddle line to the tail and down the back legs are also coloured. This pattern of white and coloured fur is very important and must be maintained in order for the rabbit to be considered a true Dutch.
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[[image:Roborovski Dwarf Hamster - Colour Corrected.jpg|thumb|200px|Roborovski's are the smallest and fastest of all hamsters.]]Roborovski hamsters gestate for around 23-30  days. When the young are born they resemble pink beans. At around 5-6 days the skin may start to pigment and at 6-8 days hair begins to emerge. By 10-12 days the babies are covered in short fur and the eyelids are beginning to mature. At this time the babies may also start wandering around the cage, even though still blind. The female will usually collect the wandering babies and return them to the nest - this may be accompanied by squealing from the babies but is not usually anything to worry about. At 14-16 days of age the eyes open and the babies are fully covered in fur.  The babies are fully weaned and can be removed from the mother at 4 weeks of age.
  
The fur of this breed is dense, short and lustrous. The ears are erect and well-furred. The coloured fur of this rabbit can be black, blue, chocolate, tortoiseshell, grey, steel grey. Of these choices, the black/white and blue/white are the most popular.
 
  
In the 1960s a tricolour Dutch rabbit was developed and thought by some to be a cross between the Harlequin rabbit breed and the Dutch rabbit. Later, a harlequin colour version of the Dutch rabbit was developed, thought to be produced from the tortoiseshell Dutch.
 
  
==Housing and Care==
 
  
Due to the size of the Dutch, it requires less space than most rabbits and is a favourite among rabbit owners.
 
 
====Feeding====
 
 
As with any rabbit, hay or grass should make up around 80% of the Dutch's daily intake. Unlimited hay should be available at all times. Pellets should be offered as a supplement only. Exclusively feeding a rabbit pellets can lead to life-threatening dental disease - only by chewing hay or grass can a rabbit wear down their back teeth sufficiently (their teeth grow constantly, as with rodents).
 
 
Meadow hay or Timothy hay is ideal - but Alfalfa hay should be avoided, as it is too rich in calcium for a rabbit's digestive system.  Timothy hay has the tendency to make our rabbit puke hairballs into our ginea pig's fur.
 
 
Supplement with a small cup of greens or other vegetables each day - rabbits can eat a wide variety, including flowers and herbs. Fruit can also be given as a treat, but no more than 2 teaspoonfuls a day.
 
 
Although rabbits graze throughout the day, they take most of their food at dawn and dusk, so it's best to provide 2 regular meals - one in the morning and one in the early evening.
 
 
====Housing====
 
 
Many rabbits do very well in the home. They can be litter box-trained and are quite fastidious groomers. Be aware that rabbits love to chew, so make sure all wires are safely hidden or in protective plastic covers and understand that some of your furniture may be nibbled. If the Rabbit nips or bites you it is probably only out of curiosity. If you choose to cage your rabbit, make sure the cage is at least 2 feet by 2 feet by 4 feet. If the cage has a wire bottom, make certain you give the rabbit a plank or sea grass mats to stand on so his feet won’t get damaged from being on the wire all the time. Provide a hide box or shelter and plenty of straw for bedding.
 
 
====Common Diseases and Disorders====
 
 
As with other rabbits, Dutch rabbits do not do well in high or low temperatures. They are prone to hairball obstructions and matted coats if not cared for properly. Rabbits need daily grooming to remove loose hair. Other health concerns include earmites, [[Pasteurella]], respiratory disease, dental problems, urinary bladder stones and fractured backs. Be quick to notice any changes in diet or litter box habits and contact a rabbit veterinarian immediately.
 
 
The average life span of a breeding Dutch rabbit is 5 to 6 years. By [[spaying or neutering]] early in life, you can increase their life expectancy to around 10 years.
 
 
==See also==
 
 
*[[Rabbit]]
 
*[[Domestic Rabbit]]
 
*[[Tuxedo cat]]; sometimes the term Dutch rabbit is used to refer to bicolour cats also known by the term Jellicle cat, Blackmask cat or Tuxedo cat.
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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*[http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/roborovski_hamsters.htm Pet Web Site (formerly The Complete Hamster Site) section on Roborovski Hamsters]
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*[http://www.hamster-heaven.com Hamster Heaven]
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*[http://roborovski.tk/ R&R Hamsters (a.k.a. Roborovski Hideout)]
  
*[http://www.arba.net American Rabbit Breeder's Association]
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[[Category:Hamsters]]
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[[Category:Mammals of Asia]]
  
[[Category:Pet rabbits]]
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[[de:Roborowski-Zwerghamster]]
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[[es:Phodopus roborovskii]]
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[[fr:Hamster de Roborovski]]
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[[it:Phodopus roborovskii]]
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[[ja:ロボロフスキーハムスター]]
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[[pl:Chomik Roborowskiego]]
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[[pt:Hamster Roborovski]]
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[[fi:Roborovskinkääpiöhamsteri]]
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[[zh:沙漠侏儒倉鼠]]

Revision as of 00:26, 20 March 2007

Template:Taxobox

Roborovskis (Phodopus roborovski) are the smallest and fastest of all hamsters and are commonly kept as pets. Distinguishing characteristics of the Roborovskis are the white spots where their eyebrows would be, and the lack of a dorsal stripe commonly seen in dwarf hamsters. They live, on average, to three and a half years of age - the longest of any domestic hamster.

They are very curious, however easily startled and generally quite shy. They are social and when socialised from an early age, sleep together in one place. Their speed makes them generally unsuitable for children who wish to have a pet they can hold and play. They are very affectionate when introduced at a young age. They do have very good tempermant and rarely bite. As they grow to be roughly the size of an adult's thumb, they can easily squeeze through the bars of a standard hamster cage, and so careful consideration needs to be given to housing. Always ask pet shop owners or breeders what is the best ideal cage to use. Because of their size and speed, Roborovskis are best for people who prefer to observe rather than to play with their pet.

Roborovskis' facial markings differ from those of other hamsters.
Roborovskis are extremely social and like to sleep together.

Because of their size and features, they can be comical pets when observed in social groups. If kept together in mixed sex pairs or groups Roborovski Hamsters usually start to breed in the spring following the year in which the female was born. Females often become sterile at around 24 months of age but males usually remain fertile for most of their life.

Roborovski's are the smallest and fastest of all hamsters.

Roborovski hamsters gestate for around 23-30 days. When the young are born they resemble pink beans. At around 5-6 days the skin may start to pigment and at 6-8 days hair begins to emerge. By 10-12 days the babies are covered in short fur and the eyelids are beginning to mature. At this time the babies may also start wandering around the cage, even though still blind. The female will usually collect the wandering babies and return them to the nest - this may be accompanied by squealing from the babies but is not usually anything to worry about. At 14-16 days of age the eyes open and the babies are fully covered in fur. The babies are fully weaned and can be removed from the mother at 4 weeks of age.



External links

de:Roborowski-Zwerghamster es:Phodopus roborovskii fr:Hamster de Roborovski it:Phodopus roborovskii ja:ロボロフスキーハムスター pl:Chomik Roborowskiego pt:Hamster Roborovski fi:Roborovskinkääpiöhamsteri zh:沙漠侏儒倉鼠