The hamster is a cute pet. There are many advantages in its content, but only many who wish to buy this animal often encounter a choice of which hamster is better to get: a Syrian or a Dzungarian? The fact is that these breeds are the most common in Russian homes. As representatives of the Khomyakov family, they, of course, are similar. But there are several important differences that may be decisive for the future owner when choosing a pet.
How carriers of these two pedigree qualities differ from each other, and which hamster is better to buy: Syrian or Dzungarian, we will tell in this article.
To begin with, we will determine the description of these two types of decorative rodents.
Dzungarian hamster. Appearance
This is a very miniature animal with a pointed muzzle and with small ears. Its body weighs no more than 50 grams with a total length of not more than 10 cm. As a rule, it is covered with thick short fur, which in natural conditions is usually gray-brown in color with white blotches. A blackish or dark gray strip is expressed along the spine — this is a common species trait for dzhungars. The abdomen, paws and the inside of the ears of the animal are usually white or light. Eyes are convex, black.
The domestic Dzungarian hamster is different in color from wild. There is a usual set of colors for domesticated animals: it is standard (gray-brown body with a white belly), sapphire color (bluish-gray, also with a light belly), pearl (whitish with gray spots) and tangerine (cream with a red tint).
But you need to consider that individuals of this species molt and become almost white in winter - because of this, and also because of their small size, the dzhungarik is sometimes called the Russian winter dwarf hamster. Nature stipulated that the hamster was invisible in the snow, because the dzungariki do not hibernate and in winter conditions should also take care of food. True, it should be noted that in captivity molting with color change is rare.
Where dwells in nature
Many people wonder where and how the Dzungarian (or Sungurian) hamster lives in wild natural conditions. This interest is caused not just by curiosity: in fact, in order to ensure the best living conditions for the animal in captivity, it is important to know what the lifestyle of his wild ancestors was.
In Russian open spaces, this type of hamster is very common, for example, in Khakassia, in some regions of Kazakhstan, in the steppes of southwestern Siberia. Due to food preferences, this rodent selects semi-deserts and steppe spaces on which grassy grass plants grow.
The most active Dzungarian hamsters at night. They live in minks, which necessarily have several entrances and knots, as well as a nesting chamber.
The life expectancy of this rodent in the wild is small - no more than two, sometimes three years. At home, it usually increases, but slightly.
Content Features
Although many owners do not heed this opinion, dzhungariks should not be placed in several copies in one cage. However, as the experience of keeping this species in captivity testifies, it is best if there is only one animal in one cage.
The joint maintenance of male and female will lead to the appearance of offspring. If animals are not further planted, their livestock will grow exponentially, and instinct will force adult individuals to eat their cubs. Usually this immediately causes quite understandable rejection among the owners, but here it should be understood that hamsters in the natural environment do not live in families, but single individuals in each area, and the conditions of captivity cannot change this. Therefore, if a female hamster has offspring, it should be reached separately after reaching a certain age (as soon as young hamsters are able to feed on their own).
The content of two same-sex hamsters together is not recommended: in this case, manifestation of aggression in relation to each other is possible, both in females and males. In addition, cohabitation in one cell can cause stress in each of the inhabitants, and this will inevitably affect their owners, as soon as they try to communicate with them.
It is best to feed captive Dzungarian hamsters with special feeds.
It is worth noting that in pet stores quite often under the guise of a Dzungarian hamster, animals of hybrid origin are sold. Such individuals may have an unstable psyche and a tendency to various diseases, including diabetes. A conscientious breeder will always provide you with a pedigree upon request.
Now, let's look at materials about another, no less popular animal, a companion of man.
Syrian hamster. Description
This representative of the Khomyakov family is larger than the Dzungarian - along with the tail (1.5 cm), the length of the body of this rodent is 13 (in rare cases, up to 18) centimeters. In this case, the weight can reach 120-125 grams. Representatives of this species, which are also called Golden Hamsters, differ, respectively, in the golden or brownish color of a thick soft coat. In the process of domestication and selection, the variability of the coat color has expanded significantly: Syrian hamsters can be in addition to the main black and silver-white colors, as well as bicolor and even tortoise colors.
A feature that is attached to all hamsters in animal science, but is especially noticeable among Syrians, is the presence of cheek pouches. They are designed to transport food that the animal will get, exploring the surroundings, in its burrow. In addition, if there is a lot of food, this hamster is also inclined to store it in its bags. In the filled state, the bags hang from the cheeks to the very shoulders of the animal, which is why the name of this hamster is translated from Arabic as "Mr. Saddlebags."
The remaining features that can be distinguished by comparing the Syrian hamster and the Dzungarian hamster are protruding noticeable ears in the former, a slightly more elongated muzzle, and the absence of a dark dorsal stripe.
Types of wool
By the efforts of breeders, four separate subspecies of Syrian hamsters have been bred. These subspecies are distinguished by the following types of coat. The most common and common is the shorthair type. On such a fur resembling plush, various colors look best.
Long-haired Syrians, whose other name is Angora, are also derived. Males of this subspecies have a peculiar “skirt” of long (from 8 to 10 cm) hair in their lower body. However, the females look like ordinary Syrians, except perhaps a little more furry. In foreign pet stores, this species is called the "hamster - teddy bear" (Teddy Bear hamster).
The satin or Satin Syrian hamster is distinguished by its fur with a special, almost glossy shine. They achieved this effect by breeding a new variety, in the fur of which there were hollow wools. However, individuals of satin Syrians cannot be mated with each other, since as a result of this, animals with sparse hair or its complete absence can be born.
Rex (or Curly) hamsters make an impression, like shaken up animals - the hairs in their magnificent outfit curl slightly. In addition, Rex also has a twisted mustache. This variety can be both short (-) and long-haired type.
The latter species is represented by the Hairless Syrian hamsters. They are characterized by a complete absence of hairline. However, animals with a similar fixed mutation sometimes still have some velvety and even short "whiskers".
Unfortunately, representatives of the hairless Syrians are rather painful; they require special care: in case of adverse temperature conditions, some owners even “dress” them. In addition, the life expectancy of a hairless Syrian hamster is half that of a normal one.
Where dwells and what eats
Unlike the Dzungarian hamster, the range of this animal is quite limited: it is found in the Syrian, Turkish and Israeli semi-deserts. Due to human activity, and also because this species is considered a pest, the habitat of the Syrian hamster is constantly decreasing, and according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), this species is currently classified as an endangered animal.
Like other hamsters, this one is most active at dusk or at dawn. The Syrian is quite mobile: the observations of zoologists have shown that during the "night shift" this animal is able to run from three to eight kilometers. When specifying which is better - a Dzungarian or Syrian hamster - keep in mind that the Syrian is more mobile, and often this activity manifests itself in the evening, when he starts to run around the wheel and develop his home in every way.
The life span of a Syrian hamster is small, it is the same as that of the Dzungariks. This fact greatly saddens those who want to have this pet, thinking about which is better - a Syrian or Dzungarian hamster.
The Syrian’s diet is much wider: this animal is considered a practical omnivorous rodent, because it is able to eat not only cereal seeds and all kinds of nuts (which, by the way, are forbidden by Dzungar hamsters), but also small insects. Of the nuts, however, almonds, as well as fruit seeds, are contraindicated to Syrians.
Content
Like the Dzungarian hamster, the Syrian is considered a geographically intolerant animal: cubs should be separated from their mother, as soon as they turn four weeks old. When young people reach eight weeks of age, in order to avoid hassles, they also should not be kept with each other.
Remaining burrowed, these hamsters behave like active housewives, doing the sorting and sorting of food supplies, separating the spoiled ones.
In order for the hamster to move more, it is worth installing a special wheel in the cage. Well, for all types of hamsters, wooden blocks or pieces of mineral stones are mandatory for grinding teeth.
Which hamster is better to get - Dzungarian or Syrian?
Dzhungariki are hamsters with a calm character, they are easily tamed and even attached to their master and can eventually sit on a person’s hand. However, this is only one of the opinions, there are other reviews of the owners who claim the same thing, but about the Syrian hamsters. Therefore, most likely, the nature of your future pet will add up to various factors. In any case, the hamster should be purchased no older than a month or a little more, then it will be easier to tame it and help to get comfortable in a new place.
When answering the question of which hamster is better: Dzungarian or Syrian, the owner’s reviews are something to listen to. Despite the territorial intolerance common to hamsters, the Dzungars are still easier than Syrians (who are considered lone animals) to take root in a group with other hamsters. Of course, the wider the cage, the more skirmishes and the struggle for territory between animals can be avoided. Therefore, one-story cage is more suitable for the dzhungariks, but the Syrians like to climb and they can be offered a compact high cage with tunnels and labyrinths.
Unlike the Syrian hamster, dzungariki should be given low-sugar foods. So, it is better not to offer persimmons, grapes and peaches.
Dzungarian hamsters are active throughout the year, and Syrian hamsters are less mobile in winter, as their wild counterparts hibernate at this time.
Finally, according to some reviews, the smell in the cage with the Syrian hamster living there is more pronounced than from the dzhungarik, although with proper care this moment goes unnoticed.
We tried to answer the difficult question of how the Syrian hamster differs from the Dzungarian hamster, and which is better.