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

Revision as of 14:06, 11 December 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 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 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.. 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 monosaccharides because of the risk of developing diabetes mellitus.

Winter Whites, in common with the Dwarf Campbells Russian 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. Dwarf hamsters will happily live in mated pairs, with both male and female caring for the young. 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.

Winter White hamsters are available in either their normal (dark brownish grey colouring) or sapphire (blue grey colouring). A white pattern called pearl (white with coloured hairs) can be added to either colour to produce the normal pearl or sapphire pearl. 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 environment, they will change into their "winter" coat. When in the winter coat, Winter Whites will become infertile.

The average lifespan of the Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster is 1.5-2 years although they can live longer.

Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster, normal color

Campbells/Whiter 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, and the same, species to avoid producing hybrids.

External links

de:Dsungarischer Zwerghamster es:Phodopus sungorus fr:Hamster russe 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 fi:Venäjänkääpiöhamsteri zh:短尾侏儒倉鼠

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 {{Taxobox
 | color = pink
-| name = Roborovski Hamster
+| name = Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster
-| image = My dwarf roborovski.JPG
+| image = Phodopus_sungorus2.jpg
-| image_width = 220px
+| image_width = 250px
 | regnum = [[Animal]]ia
-| phylum = [[Chordata]]
+| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
 | classis = [[Mammal]]ia
 | ordo = [[Rodent]]ia
+| subordo = [[Myomorpha]]
+| superfamilia = [[Muroidea]]
 | familia = [[Cricetidae]]
 | subfamilia = [[Cricetinae]]
 | genus = ''[[Phodopus]]''
-| species = '''''P. roborovski'''''
+| species = '''''P. sungorus'''''
-| binomial = ''Phodopus roborovski''
+| binomial = ''Phodopus sungorus''
-| binomial_authority = ([[K. A Satunin|Satunin]], 1903)
+| subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
+| 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 [[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]].
-'''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.
+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''.
-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. They are not usually recommended for families with children, due to their flighty and sensitive temperament. Also, they are not as affectionate as other, more robust breed of hamster. Roborovski hamsters do not like to be held or cuddled, and do not form trusting relationships with humans easily. 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.
+==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.]]. 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]].
-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.
+Winter Whites, in common with the Dwarf Campbells Russian 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.
-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.
+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.  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.
-==External links==
+Winter White hamsters are available in either their normal (dark brownish grey colouring) or sapphire (blue grey colouring).  A white pattern called pearl (white with coloured hairs) can be added to either colour to produce the normal pearl or sapphire pearl.  However, these colors may be difficult to find, and the number of available colors is much smaller than in the dwarf Campbell's hamster.
-*[http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/roborovski_hamsters.htm Pet Web Site (formerly The Complete Hamster Site) section on Roborovski Hamsters]
+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 environment, they will change into their "winter" coat.
+When in the winter coat, Winter Whites will become infertile.
+The average lifespan of the Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster is 1.5-2 years although they can live longer.
+[[Image:Phodopus_sungorus.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster, normal color]]
+== Campbells/Whiter 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, and the same, species to avoid producing hybrids.
+== External links ==
+*[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://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/hybrid_hamsters.htm Pet Web Site (formerly The Complete Hamster Site) section on Hybrid Hamsters]
 *[http://www.hamster-heaven.com Hamster Heaven]
-*[http://roborovski.tk/ R&R Hamsters (a.k.a. Roborovski Hideout)]
+*[http://www.xander.it/video.htm Xander.it] - Winter White video gallery
+*[http://www.hamster-care.com/russian_dwarf_hamster.html russian dwarf info]
+*[http://www.furrycritters.co.uk FurryCritters]
 [[Category:Hamsters]]
-[[Category:Mammals of Asia]]
+[[Category:Animals kept as pets]]
-[[de:Roborowski-Zwerghamster]]
+[[de:Dsungarischer Zwerghamster]]
-[[fr:Hamster de Roborovski]]
+[[es:Phodopus sungorus]]
-[[it:Phodopus roborovskii]]
+[[fr:Hamster russe]]
-[[ja:ロボロフスキーハムスター]]
+[[it:Phodopus sungorus]]
-[[pl:Chomik Roborowskiego]]
+[[he:אוגר סיבירי]]
-[[fi:Roborovskinkääpiöhamsteri]]
+[[nl:Russische dwerghamster]]
-[[zh:沙漠侏儒倉鼠]]
+[[ja:ジャンガリアンハムスター]]
+[[pl:Chomik dżungarski]]
+[[fi:Venäjänkääpiöhamsteri]]
+[[zh:短尾侏儒倉鼠]]