Comparison of Dzungarian and Syrian hamsters

Hamsters are very popular pets among Russian children. Every child at least once asked his parents to buy him a hamster. Many mothers and fathers often try to dissuade their child from this venture, because such animals cause a lot of trouble - they require careful care. Other parents, without hesitation, go to the nearest pet store and buy the rodent they like.

However, this decision is more important than meets the eye. Before buying, you always need to delve into the nuances and find out the features of the future family member.

The most popular species of hamsters are the Syrian and also the Dzungarian rodent. How they differ from each other, and which one is best for a child, you can find out from this article.

The Dzungarian hamster is a very friendly and sociable creature. Those who prefer this variety will have to devote a lot of time to the hamster. Some people turn it on as an addition to the interior, as it is quite cute and beautiful to look at. At the same time, the owners practically do not interact with their pet. But this is wrong, since such an attitude negatively affects the hamster and can even shorten its life.

By the way, despite their sociability, such individuals do not live in flocks. But they hardly show aggression towards their relatives.

The average lifespan of a Dzungarian hamster is three years. He can live up to four years with proper care, but no more.

As mentioned above, such a rodent looks very cute. It is not larger than a regular mouse, and weighs about 40 g. It has a spherical body, dark gray coat with a long dark stripe on the back and a light tummy.In winter, its color lightens, and the stripe becomes almost invisible.

Its characteristic external difference is its large round eyes. It is also worth noting the cheek pouches, which are quite large for such a small body.

The front legs of Dzungarian hamsters are very developed and close to human hands. For this reason, the rodent actively uses them while eating. It's funny to watch how he gnaws food, holding it with his little paws.

However, the unpleasant smell from them is stronger. Such hamsters are very nimble and active, although they almost always sleep during the day. Their main activity takes place in the evening and at night.

Syrian individuals are almost twice as large as their counterparts. Their length can reach 17 cm, and their weight varies from 150 to 200 g. In their size, these hamsters can be compared with rats, but their tail is not so long. By the way, females are usually larger than males.

As large rodents, they love space, so you will have to purchase a large cage for such a hamster. There must be a wheel in it, since the hamster needs to throw out the accumulated energy somewhere. At night, he is able to run several kilometers.

Describing the appearance of the Syrian hamster is difficult, as individuals can differ from each other and come in many different colors. They can also be fluffy or smooth-haired.

There are many things you can teach your Syrian hamster, like walking in a litter box and answering your name. But you will have to train him every day. He needs constant attention and communication, otherwise the pet may run wild. This rodent also loves freedom - it should be released from the cage several times a week. So that he does not get lost somewhere in the apartment, it is worth buying him a running ball for hamsters.

If the Dzungarian variant has predominantly dark gray colors, then the Syrian hamsters are more diverse and differ in reddish or golden shades. For this they were even nicknamed golden hamsters.

The body length of the Dzungarian hamsters, even including the tail, does not exceed 10 cm. Accordingly, the Syrians surpass them by almost two times, and weigh even more. Knowing this, a person will never confuse one breed with another.

Syrian hamsters live longer than Dzungarian hamsters - their life expectancy ranges from two to six years.

Although the Syrian hamsters are quite active, the Dzungarian brothers are more nimble and energetic. However, the former quickly get used to human hands, while the latter are difficult to train. But it is sometimes just interesting and funny to observe the vital activity of the Dzungarian individuals.

Anyway you will have to monitor the diet of your pet, as junk food can harm him... Although Syrian hamsters are omnivores, it should not be overused. But with Dzungarian individuals, you should be more careful, since this species is prone to diabetes mellitus. For this reason, do not overfeed them with sweets or fruits.

For most parents who want to please their child, the most important criterion is the bad smell from the rodent, which can spread throughout the apartment. Syrian hamsters are considered less problematic in this regard. Dzungarian, despite their size, are more fragrant. But it is worth noting that females do not smell as much as males.

If it was decided to buy two hamsters at once, then you will have to keep them separately. Rodents do not get along well with each other and often conflict. However, Dzungarian hamsters are more loyal to their fellows and in most cases live peacefully.

It all depends on the preferences of the child. The age of the children is of no small importance - you should not buy a small Dzungarian hamster for a preschool child, because he can easily crush the fragile body of an animal while playing with them. In addition, some particularly wild individuals have the habit of biting.

But the larger Syrian hamster can be safely held and stroked. Thanks to this, children like them more. And do not worry that the child will be bitten - the Syrian individuals are completely non-aggressive towards people.

If the parents know that their child is not very responsible and they do not have much time to take care of the hamster, then it is worth choosing the Dzungarian, since he is more independent and will be able to take care of himself, even if the household members forget to clean up or feed him.

Whichever hamster parents choose, it will need attention and proper care. First of all, you need to provide your pet with favorable living conditions. The cage should be spacious, but you should pay attention to the gaps between the rods were not too wide, otherwise the most agile rodents would be able to escape from their homes.

Also, do not forget about the basic devices that must be present in each cage, for example, a drinker with a retractable limiter, which dispenses as much water as needed. You need to make sure that the animal understands how it works. Water, by the way, should always be fresh, so you need to change it once or twice a day.

The hamster also needs to be fed properly. The main food for him is special dry food. But sometimes you need to pamper him with fruits, vegetables and herbs. It is necessary to ensure that the rodent's diet is balanced.

It is worth remembering that hamsters are accustomed to being awake at night, which means that they should never be woken up during the day, as this can be a severe shock for them.

The conditions in which a pet lives directly affect its lifespan. Like any other pet, hamsters are quite troublesome regardless of their breed. But it is worth giving them your love and attention, and they will become full-fledged members of the family.

A funny video about the differences between the two breeds of hamsters performed by young video bloggers can be seen below.