Hamsters have an interesting reproductive system, characterized by a very short gestation period compared to other mammals.
:Basic Information
Maturity is 4 to 6 weeks, but it is recommended to wait until 8-10 weeks of age for their first mating.
The gestation period ranges from 16 to 22 days, and varies by species (e.g., Syrian hamsters reach maturity at 16-17 days, Roborovski hamsters at 20-22 days).
A female hamster can give birth 2 to 3 times a year.
Little size ranges from 3 to 12 pups per litter.
Pups Care and Important Warnings:
After birth, the pups and their families require special care, and there are some behaviors you should be aware of.
Pups Development: Pups are born blind, deaf, and furless. They begin to open their eyes and drink water after about two weeks. They begin eating solid food between days 16 and 21. They are weaned when they are 3 weeks old.
Eating behavior of the young: The mother may sometimes eat some of her young. This behavior has several explanations, including:
Stress or fear: If the mother feels threatened or disturbed after giving birth.
Lack of nutrition: To replace the protein needed to nurse the remaining young.
Weak young: To eliminate young that don't appear strong enough to survive.
:Critical Postpartum Advice
Do Not Touch the Pups: Avoid touching the pups at all during the first one to two weeks of their life. The human scent may cause the mother to perceive them as a threat or food.
Provide Tranquility: Place the cage in a quiet place and avoid cleaning it or disturbing the mother during the first days after birth.
Provide the mother with adequate food: Ensure the mother has plenty of food and clean water to prevent her from eating her pups out of hunger.
Tips for breeders:
Separate males from females: After confirming mating, it's best to separate the male from the female, as females can sometimes be aggressive toward males after mating.
Choose mates wisely: Keep in mind that Syrian hamsters are solitary creatures and should not be housed with other hamsters in the same cage, while some dwarf species, such as Russian hamsters, are more sociable.
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