Hamsters Anyone?

Originally Posted by Anne

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Leaves?! I'm sure you've probably read more since this picture has been taken, but never ever bring anything unsterilized from outside and put it in the cage! You could be bringing in fleas, ticks - or eggs and larvae from either, mites, worms, disease, and bacteria and molds that do not need to be in a small area where it can build up.
So never bring anything in that can't be baked in your oven to sterilize it or better yet not at all since a rodent will chew on it.

You can find plenty of items to decorate and enrich their habitat. Paper towel and toilet paper tubes are always a huge hit.



As for life span, I had one hamster for 4 and a half years. He was an adult when I bought him. I have no idea how or why he lived so long. Maybe it was the occasional treats of chicken noodle soup. He was also given a rare mealworm treat, and regularly had fresh produce.

The hammies are adorable! I had a Syrian when I was in 1st grade, she was soo sweet.
If you are interested in possibly getting rats here are two good sites for info: http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk and http://www.goosemoose.com (click on the 'Rats Rule!' link).
I have been keeping rats for about 10 years now, they make such fabulous little pets! It's been forever since I've had a hammie, but rats require a LOT of attention and suffer from a lot of health problems so they can quickly become expensive -- so this may be something you want to take into account. That being said I couldn't imagine not having them in my life. Also, they MUST be kept in same sex pairs or groups to be happy.

awesome, I have tons of hamster pics...
here are some- use them please:
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/11658305
There are some good ones and some bad ones on there but my favorites are:

Poor hammies.I hate it when people don't research the care of pets before they get them.Thank goodness you got them and sperated them.
I have a drawf hamster named Zoey.She is a doll and so sweet.
Campbells,Winter Whites and Robos can live in pairs.

Oh I just remembered a few more photos I had. These pics are of my calico hamster Callie. I wish I could find another calico/tortie hamster, I love the pattern!

I used to have a tortie hamster. At the time I didn't know that's what her coat pattern was called.

Originally Posted by ut0pia

awesome, I have tons of hamster pics...
here are some- use them please:
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/11658305

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Thank you! How can I give you credit for the pictures? by your TCS username? or do you have a blog or a website?

TCS username will be great

Originally Posted by ut0pia

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Awwww. I have her twin:

Originally Posted by AbbysMom

Awwww.

I have her twin:

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Awww so cute!! Whats his/her name? Mine was a boy and his name was Nero, but he is over the bridge now So is the other golden banded, her name was Miller..

Did you give them back to the school??? I would see about keeping them.Obviously they were not getting the right care there in the school.

Awww...ALL the hams in this thread are adorable,I love the calico one! I never seen ones like that around here!

I have ONE ham.A "teddy bear" syrian named JJ (Juggalo Joe).I used to have hammies all the time as a child,but when I was about 15 or so,I just gave up on keeping hams.Then October 2007,I went and checked out a litter of hamsters someone had and ended up leaving with JJ.

He is a cutie,about 1 yr old now.He has NEVER bitten me and has his own way of showing affectionate,although he is nowhere near as affectionate as the rats! When his time comes,I probably won't get anymore hammies.They are cute,but not really the kind of pet I want.JJ usually don't care too much for me and I normally like affectionate animals.I love my li'l JJ though.

Anyway here are a few pictures of JJ.Feel free to use them.

Originally Posted by Anne

Oh, and just had to add. I've seen pet rats in need of a home and I wonder if maybe that would be a good option for us too. I think they are smarter, right? I need to do some reading on pet rats.

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Rats are GREAT pets! I have owned/raised rats for over 10 yrs now and will never be without them! They are highly intelligent and bond to their people.I currently have 10 ratties!

WOW all these pictures are so gorgeous. I love the tortie colouring!

They did go back to the kindergarten, but with some instructions this time. Plus, we sponsor their bedding and food and I make sure they get the best kind now. We really can't keep anymore pets here right now on a regular basis.

As for rats, I did some reading and they seem absolutely fabulous. Being as we decided we don't have the ability to keep a hamster though... Rats seem to require much more time and attention and I honestly cannot commit to that. Some day though - who knows?

Thanks so much for the pictures Juggallette! I finished writing the text for Teddy Bear Hamsters and it's time to start working on the pictures!

Sadly my little JJ passed away yesterday!
I am not sure what happened...I found him curled up as if he were asleep.
He was only a little more then a year and perfectly healthy! R.I.P JJ.

Awww poor little J.J. - at least he's had a nice life with you

Originally Posted by 709Juggalette

Sadly my little JJ passed away yesterday!
I am not sure what happened...I found him curled up as if he were asleep.
He was only a little more then a year and perfectly healthy! R.I.P JJ.

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AWWW! RIP JJ!

Oh no!! I'm so sorry about JJ! I know it hurts a lot to lose them

Anne- I just checked out the website, it's looking pretty awesome!