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

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A '''house rabbit''' is a [[domestic rabbit]] kept as a pet for companionship, which lives inside the home with his owners. He has an indoor pen and a rabbit-safe place to run and exercise, such as a living or family room.  A house rabbit is easily trained to use a litter box and can learn to come when called. His diet typically consists of unlimited timothy hay, a small helping of pellets, and some fresh vegetables. A house rabbit is a very quiet pet. He is suitable for a family without small children, due to the rabbit’s likelihood of being frightened or harmed by loud sounds or mishandling.
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{{Taxobox
 +
| color = pink
 +
| name = Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster
 +
| image = Phodopus sungorus 2 - Colour corrected.jpg
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| image_width = 250px
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
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| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
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| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
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| ordo = [[Rodent]]ia
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| subordo = [[Myomorpha]]
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| superfamilia = [[Muroidea]]
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| familia = [[Cricetidae]]
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| subfamilia = [[Cricetinae]]
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| genus = ''[[Phodopus]]''
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| species = '''''P. sungorus'''''
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| binomial = ''Phodopus sungorus''
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| subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
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| subdivision =
 +
''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 [[Golden Hamster|Syrian hamster]], and therefore called dwarf hamsters along with all ''Phodopus'' species. Features include a typically thick 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]].
  
==Socialization==
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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 is now known that the Winter whites are of their own species, ''Phodopus sungorus''.
[[Image:Rabbit sharing apple.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A house rabbit sharing an apple with his owner.]]
 
Most people are surprised to find out how social house rabbits are.  House rabbits become part of the family, just as cats, dogs, and birds do, and often get along well with these other animals.  It is not uncommon to see the house rabbit grooming the cat or dog.  House rabbits learn their name and come when called.  Other tricks that they can learn include begging and jumping hurdles.
 
  
A rabbit needs at least two hours of out-of cage time in a safe environment (see [[#House proofing | house proofing]] below). His strong muscles in his back legs will weaken if the he is not given opportunities to run, jump, and play.  When a rabbit plays, he will often do a '''binky''', which is a happy dance where the rabbit will jump in the air, turn 180°, and take off running. When calm and receiving pets on the head, he will gently grind his teeth with contentmentRabbits enjoy gentle, quiet attention from their human counterparts, although most do not like to be cuddled, which takes them too far from their natural comfort zone as prey animals.
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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 [[United States|U.S.]]. They are rarely found in pet stores in [[Canada]]. Care is similar to that of the [[Campbell's dwarf hamster|Campbell's dwarf hamster]]. Winter White hamsters generally make excellent pets.  However, a larger [[Golden Hamster|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]]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.
  
House rabbit organizations warn that a rabbit does not make a good pet for small children because they do not know how to stay quiet, calm, and gentle around the rabbit. The organization recommend rabbits as great pets for people who are older than 10, have patience, and have time to devote attention to their rabbit.
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Winter Whites, in common with the [[Campbell's dwarf hamster|Campbell's Dwarf Hamster]] are sociable and will live together peacefully with others of their own species, but are best introduced at a young age and will require a sufficiently large cage to ensure they live together happily.
  
==Housing==
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In general, dwarf hamsters typically have more of a family structure than the [[Golden Hamster|Syrian Hamster]]Conventional beliefs that dwarf hamsters will happily live in mated pairs, with both male and female caring for the youngHowever, this may be a result of a frequent confusion of the Winter Whites and the Campbell's hamstersCurrent research work suggest biparental care in Campbell's hamsters (Phodopus campbelli) but not in Winter Whites (Phodopus sungorus) (see research work by Dr. Katherine Wynne-Edwards at Queen's University, Ontario, Canada). Some report that same-sex pairs and larger groups don't always get along well and frequent fighting may occur and be a great distress for them, or even lead to deadly incidents.
Rabbits need a pen that is at least 4 times the length of the rabbit. A dog training folding fence 26 or more inches tall serves as a simple penOther people buy large dog cagesHouse rabbit organizations caution against using a grid floor, as this will cause sore hocks (sores on the bottom of the rabbit’s back feet).  Carpet or linoleum can be added to a cage that has a grid floor to protect the rabbit’s feetAnother option for a rabbit cage is a multiple-level condo.  The rabbit condo can be made by using cable ties and storage cubes ([http://breyfamily.net/bunnycage.html sample building instructions]). This provides the rabbit plenty of jumping options and variety.  Basic necessities for the cage include a litter box, water, food bowl, hay, and toys.
 
  
==Litter training==
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There are several phases (colorations) of Winter White hamsters: their normal (dark brownish-grey colouring) or sapphire (blue-grey colouring)A white pattern called pearl (white with coloured hairs) sometimes exists in either phase, producing the normal pearl or sapphire pearl formsHowever, these colours may be difficult to find, and the range of colours is much narrower than in the case of the [[Campbell's dwarf hamster|Campbell's]].
A rabbits is easy to litter train, especially if the rabbit has been spayed or neuteredWhen a rabbit is placed in a new area, it is common for him to mark the area with his droppings.  After he gets acquainted to the area, he naturally starts favoring a certain locationA litter box, usually a small cat litter box, filled with about one inch of non-toxic litter, is placed there.  Most pet stores carry safe litter that is easy to handled, clean, and absorbent. Sawdust pellets (wood stove fuel pellets), Carefresh, and Yesterday’s News are popular.  Litters made from pine or cedar is not used because it may cause liver damage to the rabbit.  Placing the hay close to the litter box can speed up the training, since rabbits like to defecate and eat at the same time.
 
  
==Feeding==
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Winter White hamsters, also called Siberian hamsters, come from the steppes of Siberia and Kazakhstan and possess an adaptation not seen in [[Campbell's dwarf hamster|Campbells]]: they can moult into a white winter coat. This camouflages them against the snow and also gives them their name.  This moulting is brought on by the amount of day light; if the hamster is kept in an environment with short duration of day light (< 12 hours of light/day) for more than 6 weeks, they will change into their winter coat (white guard hair with thick inner hair) with only a single black stripe going through the center of the backSuch seasonal moulting is mediated through the nocturnal secretion of melatonin, the hormone secreted by the pineal glandShort day lengths also triggers the regression of the gonads in both male and females, and thus Winter Whites become infertileBecause Winter White hamsters show such photoperiodic and seasonal changes in physiology and various behaviors, it is also used as a research model system for studying seasonality and photoperiodism.
Unlike rabbit commercial rabbits, pellets account for only a small portion of a rabbit’s diet. Pellet amounts are determined by the weight of the rabbit and is listed on the back of the manufacturer’s packaging.  Adult house rabbits generally eat pellets made from timothy grass.  Rabbits less than 6 months old eat pellets made of alfalfa grass, which has more caloriesHouse rabbits of all ages are provided an unlimited amount of timothy hay—roughage that reduces the chance of blockagesHouse rabbits are typically given about 2 cups chopped vegetables per 6 lbs. of body weight and up to 2 tablespoons of fruit per 6 lbs. body weight daily. Rabbits are provided an unlimited amount of fresh water.
 
House rabbit owners commonly provide treats, although in very limited quantities, which can include a few pellets, a slice of strawberry, or other healthy foodsAdvertised treats in the pet stores are occasionally used, although even more sparingly, since they typically have a very high sugar content.
 
  
==House proofing==
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The average lifespan of the Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster is to 2 years, although they can live longer.
A house rabbit needs at least two hours daily out of his cage to run and explore.  He is provided an area where he is free to roam in which hazards (to house or bunny) have been mitigated. For example, to prevent electrocution, an owner will hide electrical cords cover them with flexible clear tubing (slit lengthwise), such as that purchased in the plumbing section of a home store. Another commonly protected item is woodwork, which is subject to being chewed; this problem is mitigated by providing something in the room that will attract the rabbit to chew instead, such as an old phone book, large pieces of paper, or a toilet paper roll. Despite the hazards of a house, it does provide an inherent shelter; house rabbit owner do not leave their rabbits outside unattended, since prey animals may attack, or there may be pesticides that can harm the rabbit.
 
  
==Toys==
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<gallery>
House rabbits need to play to keep their minds active. Rotating through a collection of toys provides variety and keeps their interest. Toys must be non-toxic and include cardboard boxes with holes cut in it, toilet paper rolls stuffed with hay, a ball with holes for food to tumble out, plastic rattles for the rabbit to toss, stray mats, or untreated wicker baskets. Some rabbits enjoy cloths that are dangled in their cage.  All house rabbits need wood toys that they can chew on to wear down their teeth, which will continue to grow if they have nothing to chew.  Toys can be purchased at a pet store, or they can be handmade.
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Image:Pearl Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster - Front.jpg|Pearl Winter White - Front
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Image:Pearl Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster - Side.jpg|Pearl Winter White - Side
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Image:Pearl Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster - Rear.jpg|Pearl Winter White - Rear
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Image:Pearl Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster - Face.jpg|Pearl Winter White - Face
 +
</gallery>
  
==Health==
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[[Image:Phodopus_sungorus.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster, normal color]]
House rabbits do not need any vaccinations or teeth cleaning.  The only time a house rabbit needs to go to the vet is for an emergency, such as if the rabbit is not eating or has head tilt.  Some rabbits may have special needs, such as malocclusion, in which regular vet visits may become needed.  rabbit organizations recommend finding a vet before an emergency occurs, since not all vets are knowledgeable about rabbits.  The [[House Rabbit Society]] maintains a [http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html list of veterinarians who practice veterinary medicine on rabbits].
 
  
Rabbits have nails and teeth that grow continually. The teeth growth is countered naturally by the rabbit chewing wood toys.  However, a house rabbit still requires his nails be trimmed by a human at least once a month.  Many owners learn to do this themselves.
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== Campbells/Winter White Hybrids ==
  
Rabbits shed on average of once every three months.  During this shedding time, it is beneficial to brush the rabbit with a gentle rubber brush.
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Of the 5 species kept as pets only the [[Campbell's dwarf hamster|Campbells]] and Winter Whites are able to interbreed and produce live offspring (hybrids). Hybrids are most often unknowingly produced through incorrect identification of the two similar species of hamsters and unfortunately the number of hybrids is increasing particularly within pet shops in many countries today where they are often mislabelled as being one or other of the pure species.
  
A neutered or spayed house rabbit will be happier, healthier, and will be easier to litter box train.
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Although hybrids make suitable pets the breeding of hybrids should be avoided as it can cause health and birthing problems and also the widespread breeding and distribution of hybrids could threaten the existence of both pure species in captivity. Therefore if intending to breed Russian hamsters it is important to ensure that both hamsters being bred are a pure form of, and of the same, species to avoid producing hybrids.
  
==Organizations==
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== External links ==
The following organizations focus on educating and assisting owners of house rabbits:
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*[http://www.hamsterforum.co.uk Hamster Forum]
*[[House Rabbit Society]]
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*[http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/dwarf_winter_white_russian_hamsters.htm Pet Web Site (formerly The Complete Hamster Site) section on Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamsters]
*[http://PittsburghHouseRabbit.org Pittsburgh House Rabbit Club]
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*[http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/hybrid_hamsters.htm Pet Web Site (formerly The Complete Hamster Site) section on Hybrid Hamsters]
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*[http://www.hamster-heaven.com Hamster Heaven]
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*[http://www.xander.it/video.htm Xander.it] - Winter White video gallery
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*[http://www.furrycritters.co.uk FurryCritters]
  
==References==
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[[Category:Hamsters]]
*[http://www.rabbit.org/ House Rabbit Society]
 
*{{cite book |author=Audrey Pavia |title=Rabbits for Dummies |publisher=Wiley |location=New York |year=2003 |isbn=0-7645-0861-X}}
 
  
==External links==
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[[cs:Křečík džungarský]]
*[http://www.rabbit.org/ House Rabbit Society]
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[[de:Dsungarischer Zwerghamster]]
 
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[[es:Phodopus sungorus]]
{{Pet Species}}
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[[fr:Hamster russe]]
 
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[[hr:Bijeli ruski hrčak]]
[[Category:Domesticated animals]]
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[[it:Phodopus sungorus]]
[[Category:Leporids]]
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[[he:אוגר סיבירי]]
[[Category:Pet rabbits]]
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[[nl:Russische dwerghamster]]
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[[ja:ジャンガリアンハムスター]]
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[[pl:Chomik dżungarski]]
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[[ru:Хомячок джунгарский]]
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[[sl:Sibirski hrček]]
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[[fi:Venäjänkääpiöhamsteri]]
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[[zh:短尾侏儒倉鼠]]

Revision as of 16:52, 3 May 2007

Template:Taxobox 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 thick 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 (Phodopus campbelli) or not; however, it is now known 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 U.S.. They are rarely found in pet stores in Canada. Care is similar to that of the Campbell's dwarf 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 monosaccharides because of the risk of developing diabetes mellitusTemplate:Fact.

Winter Whites, in common with the Campbell's Dwarf Hamster are sociable and will live together peacefully with others of their own species, but are best introduced at a young age and will require a sufficiently large cage to ensure they live together happily.

In general, dwarf hamsters typically have more of a family structure than the Syrian Hamster. Conventional beliefs that dwarf hamsters will happily live in mated pairs, with both male and female caring for the young. However, this may be a result of a frequent confusion of the Winter Whites and the Campbell's hamsters. Current research work suggest biparental care in Campbell's hamsters (Phodopus campbelli) but not in Winter Whites (Phodopus sungorus) (see research work by Dr. Katherine Wynne-Edwards at Queen's University, Ontario, Canada). Some report that same-sex pairs and larger groups don't always get along well and frequent fighting may occur and be a great distress for them, or even lead to deadly incidents.

There are several phases (colorations) of Winter White hamsters: their normal (dark brownish-grey colouring) or sapphire (blue-grey colouring). A white pattern called pearl (white with coloured hairs) sometimes exists in either phase, producing the normal pearl or sapphire pearl forms. However, these colours may be difficult to find, and the range of colours is much narrower than in the case of the Campbell's.

Winter White hamsters, also called Siberian hamsters, come from the steppes of Siberia and Kazakhstan and possess an adaptation not seen in Campbells: they can moult into a white winter coat. This camouflages them against the snow and also gives them their name. This moulting is brought on by the amount of day light; if the hamster is kept in an environment with short duration of day light (< 12 hours of light/day) for more than 6 weeks, they will change into their winter coat (white guard hair with thick inner hair) with only a single black stripe going through the center of the back. Such seasonal moulting is mediated through the nocturnal secretion of melatonin, the hormone secreted by the pineal gland. Short day lengths also triggers the regression of the gonads in both male and females, and thus Winter Whites become infertile. Because Winter White hamsters show such photoperiodic and seasonal changes in physiology and various behaviors, it is also used as a research model system for studying seasonality and photoperiodism.

The average lifespan of the Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster is 1½ to 2 years, although they can live longer.

Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster, normal color

Campbells/Winter White Hybrids

Of the 5 species kept as pets only the Campbells and Winter Whites are able to interbreed and produce live offspring (hybrids). Hybrids are most often unknowingly produced through incorrect identification of the two similar species of hamsters and unfortunately the number of hybrids is increasing particularly within pet shops in many countries today where they are often mislabelled as being one or other of the pure species.

Although hybrids make suitable pets the breeding of hybrids should be avoided as it can cause health and birthing problems and also the widespread breeding and distribution of hybrids could threaten the existence of both pure species in captivity. Therefore if intending to breed Russian hamsters it is important to ensure that both hamsters being bred are a pure form of, and of the same, species to avoid producing hybrids.

External links

cs:Křečík džungarský de:Dsungarischer Zwerghamster es:Phodopus sungorus fr:Hamster russe hr:Bijeli ruski hrčak it:Phodopus sungorus he:אוגר סיבירי nl:Russische dwerghamster ja:ジャンガリアンハムスター pl:Chomik dżungarski ru:Хомячок джунгарский sl:Sibirski hrček fi:Venäjänkääpiöhamsteri zh:短尾侏儒倉鼠