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Babieezzzz.
Okay so my hamster is def. pregnant.
Can someone tell me everything i should know about baby hamsters?
Please and thanks.
:)
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Want to answer more questions in the Domesticity category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Pets?
I'll tell you everything you need to know! As requested, I will give you more info on them =]
Since the hamster is now pregnant, she is likely gonna be very defensive. Limit holding her or anything, because she can bite. Make sure she is filled with water and food daily. They eat like pigs, no lie. Have her as comfortable as possible. Make sure she and the cage is clean daily, so the pups can have a nice environment. I'm sure you'd hate to be born next to feces and urine =]. That can carry diseases.
Make a nest for the mother. I tore up pieces of kleenex tissue (it's safe), and she tore it up to smaller shreds herself and made a nest. It's amazing. Just hand it to her and she'll do the rest. Gestational period can go from 9 days to 2 weeks. Sometimes later; sometimes earlier.
Pups can very from a few to almost 15. When my hamster gave birth, she gave birth to about 12 pups. They're small, bald, and they are very squeaky. Noisy little things... The mother will nurse them up to at max two weeks. While they're in the nursing stage, never ever touch the pups or the mother. Touching the pups can change their scent, and the mother will assume it's not hers and will eat it.
Nasty part is, mothers do eat some of their young (It's natural). Sometimes all of their young. They do it because to get rid of the runts (the weak and helpless ones) or because she has too much to handle, and can't take care of all her pups. It's pretty darn gross. I hate to be blunt, but you'll sometimes see leftover limbs around the cage. They also do it to get some protein in her diet so she can get stronger, and have protein for her young. So almost always the mothers eat some of their young. Be prepared.
Without trying to touch them, clean the cage daily. They are messy. Pups will sometimes wander away from the mother during the nursing stage. This is normal, and don't pick it up, and bring it to the mother. She'll find the pup and drag it herself back to the nest (it's cute).
During nursing stage, the mother will be lethargic and pretty hungry. She needs her nutrients and water while nursing. Make sure she's filled with food and water at all times. She is still one defensive protective mother during nursing, so be careful. Reaching your hand near her, she can bite.
After the nursing is done, weaning may begin. You'll notice the gender of the pups and it's important you separate them afterwards so you don't breed more (unless you want to). You can keep them or take them to the pet store to be sold (or sell them yourself). I chose to keep them.
That's the basics of pups. If you need info after 2 weeks, you can always post a question to me =]
Good luck.
In fact, I took pictures of the mother and her young if you'd like to see them:
Mother: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Pups: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Pups #2: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Pups #3: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Mother in her nest: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
They are kinda blurry I know. I used my mobile phone to take these pictures, and this was like 3 years ago. But they are pretty small.
Hope I helped! =]
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The sites below should cover everything, but here are some more to look at :)
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Good luck with your new pets!
xxtiffany
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I don't personally know anything about baby hamsters, other than you're not supposed to touch them.
But here are a few good sites that you should definitely check out:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Good luck,
Darby(:
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