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

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{{Taxobox
 
{{Taxobox
 
| color = pink
 
| color = pink
−
| name = Roborovski Hamster
+
| name = Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster
−
| image = Roborovski hamster.jpg
+
| image = Phodopus_sungorus2.jpg
−
| image_width = 220px
+
| image_width = 250px
 
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
 
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
−
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
+
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
 
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
 
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
−
| ordo = [[Rodent]]ia
+
| ordo = [[Rodentia]]
 +
| subordo = [[Sciurognathi]]
 +
| infraordo = [[Myodonta]]
 +
| superfamilia = [[Muroidea]]
 
| familia = [[Cricetidae]]
 
| familia = [[Cricetidae]]
 
| subfamilia = [[Cricetinae]]
 
| subfamilia = [[Cricetinae]]
 
| genus = ''[[Phodopus]]''
 
| genus = ''[[Phodopus]]''
−
| species = '''''P. roborovski'''''
+
| subdivision_ranks = Binomial name
−
| binomial = ''Phodopus roborovski''
+
| subdivision =
−
| binomial_authority = ([[K. A Satunin|Satunin]], 1903)
+
*''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.
  
−
'''Roborovskis''' ('''''Phodopus roborovski''''') are the smallest of the [[hamster]]s commonly kept as [[pet]]s; they are also the fastest. They are distinguished by the white spots where their eyebrows would be. On average, they live the longest of any pet hamsters, living about three to three and a half years of age.
+
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 has now been proven that the Winter whites are of their own species, ''Phodopus sungorus''.
  
−
They are easily startled and are generally quite shy but curious. They're social and usually sleep together in one place. They aren't good pets for families with children. They are the world's fastest hamsters.  They're obviously also not a good fit for someone who wants a hamster that they can cuddle. Roborovski's are certainly not cuddlers. They are generally the size of a thumb and can easily squeeze through the bar of the cage, so careful consideration of cage choice is important. Because of their size and speed, Roborovski's are best for people who prefer to observe rather than to play with their pet.
+
==Winter White Russian hamsters as pets==
 +
They are often found on the [[pet]] market, in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] more so than in the [[United States|U.S.]]. 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, like their close relatives the Campbell's, can be housed together in pairs or trios, 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 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.
 +
 
 +
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 coat.  This camouflages them against the snow and also gives them their name.
 +
This moulting is brought on by the amount of sunlight, if the hamster is kept in a dark enviroment, 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]]
 +
 
 +
== External links ==
 +
*[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]
 +
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/720421.stm  Djungarian fathers care for the pups]
  
−
==External links==
 
−
*[http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/images/roborovski.jpg Image of a roborovskii]
 
−
*[http://roborovski.tk/ R&R Hamsters (a.k.a. Roborovski Hideout)]
 
 
[[Category:Hamsters]]
 
[[Category:Hamsters]]
 +
[[Category:Animals kept as pets]]
  
−
[[de:Phodopus roborovskii-Zwerghamster]]
+
[[de:Dsungarischer Zwerghamster]]
−
[[fr:Hamster de Roborovskii]]
+
[[fr:Hamster russe]]
−
[[ja:ロボロフスキーハムスター]]
+
[[fi:Venäjänkääpiöhamsteri]]
−
[[pl:Chomik Roborowskiego]]
+
[[it:Phodopus sungorus]]
−
[[zh:沙漠侏儒倉鼠]]
+
[[ja:ジャンガリアンハムスター]]
 +
[[nl:Russische dwerghamster]]
 +
[[pl:Chomik dżungarski]]
 +
[[zh:短尾侏儒倉鼠]]

Revision as of 16:16, 4 April 2006

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 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.

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 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 U.S.. 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 monosaccharides because of the risk of developing diabetes mellitus.

Winter Whites, like their close relatives the Campbell's, can be housed together in pairs or trios, 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 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.

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 coat. This camouflages them against the snow and also gives them their name. This moulting is brought on by the amount of sunlight, if the hamster is kept in a dark enviroment, they will change into their "winter" coat. When in the winter coat, Winter Whites will become infertile.

Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster, normal color

External links

de:Dsungarischer Zwerghamster fr:Hamster russe fi:Venäjänkääpiöhamsteri it:Phodopus sungorus ja:ジャンガリアンハムスター nl:Russische dwerghamster pl:Chomik dżungarski zh:短尾侏儒倉鼠

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