Hamsters and Gerbils

Almost everyone has had either a Hamster or a Gerbil. Both of these small rodents are cute and can have a huge energy reserve. They always find something to do (or chew). They can be relatively easy to care for and may not require as much attention as dogs or cats. Many people may ask themselves; what is the difference between the two?

Hamsters

Hamsters are small rodents belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae. Hamsters have sharp front teeth that continue to grow throughout their lifetime. They use these sharp teeth for gnawing. Hamsters are very nimble and have lots of energy (they will love a running wheel). In the wild, a hamster can run as far as five miles (eight kilometers) in a single night. Hamsters are nocturnal which means they sleep during the day and come out at night. Hamsters have poor eyesight, but they do have a keen sense of hearing and smell. They use their whiskers to feel their way around objects (Hooked on Hamsters).

There are many different variations of Hamsters to choose from at almost any pet store. There are Teddy Bear Hamsters, Dwarf Hamsters, Golden Hamsters, Siberian Hamsters, and many more. Each one is cute in its own way. It is possible to tame Hamsters, but it is good to keep in mind that this is not always the case.

Hamsters have small, furry ears; short and stocky legs, wide feet, and their tales are much shorter than the animal's body. Their fur has many variations; such as, black, white, brown, yellow, and even red. The under parts of the animal are often white to shades of gray and black. Dwarf Desert Hamsters are often the smallest of these little critters, with bodies 5 to 10 cm (about 2 to 4 inches) long. The most common Hamster is often measuring up to 34 cm long (not including the short tail with a length up to 6 cm).

Hamsters are generally solitary creatures. They are sometimes active in the early morning or late evening. Digging is probably one of their passions. They often like to construct burrows with one or more entrances and may even include tunnels that can lead to nesting areas. Of course, for this to be possible they will need plenty of bedding.

Hamsters often hoard food in their cute little cheeks and will stockpile large amounts of food (for those who wonder where all the darn food went to). They also have a life expectancy that can range up to around 4 or 6 years.

Hamsters can produce several litters a year with several little ones in each litter. Male and female Hamsters should be kept separate if you do not want the addition of offspring. It is wise to keep only sibling male Hamsters together; otherwise, they will most likely become very territorial.

Gerbils

Gerbils often have short fur and long furry tails. Some may think they resemble tiny kangaroos. Naturally; a Gerbil is curious, social, friendly, very active, and athletic. They love to chew and dig tunnels. Gerbils love to run in their running wheels and this is good way to keep them healthy or in shape.

The more a Gerbil is handled; the tamer they become. Gerbils that are gently handled from a young age will rarely bite. They do not enjoy being alone and when alone they often live shorter, unhappy lives. A happy Gerbil will often make chirping noises. A Gerbil with a partner will enjoy having a pal to share its nesting area with, snack with, and be groomed by. If Gerbils are housed together since a young age, they will usually get along really well regardless of their sex. They are best kept in pairs.

Gerbils tend to choose one mate for life and may become aggressive toward other Gerbils if introduced too quickly. If their mate is taken away and then re-introduced, the transition may not go smoothly. Females do best in groups of two. Males may be tolerant in groups of three or more. It is still recommended to stick with pairs to avoid any fights between the little critters.

A Gerbil will reach a size that is in between a rat and a mouse (about 2 to 4 oz). They have a life expectancy of 1 to 5 years. When Gerbils mate and have litters, they tend to have an average of 5 babies. A pair of Gerbils can produce another litter every 30 to 40 days, but often for a total of 6 or 7 litters throughout their reproductive lives.