Page:The Golden Hamster Manual.djvu/9

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Producers and users, small and large, must have valid scientific information to succeed with hamsters. With such information, hamsters are easily and successfully raised in great numbers and are used by science with amazingly gratifying results.

There is a considerable variety in hamster raising techniques. Two men may use the same type of pens: one fail; the other succeed. Two others may use the same feeds: one fail; the other succeed. The reader may guess the answer. Yes, other factors, techniques and perhaps peculiar local circumstances may be more highly determinative than either man observes. To a marked extent, each and every hamster producer may learn by experience. Nevertheless, proper guidance is invaluable.

It is apparent that no other laboratory animal has been so victimized by erroneous claims and published misinformation as has the hamster. As soon as they have a few animals to sell, some novices pose as hamster authorities. Results of incompetent advice out of such fragmentary and amateurish knowledge have discouraged or misled many beginner producers as well as prospective users of these unique animals. Regardless, hamsters have become firmly established in laboratory usage and demand.

Hamsters are members of a mammal order Rodentia, and include three main groups inhabiting parts of Europe and Asia. The Dwarf Hamster, Cricetulus, approximately $2 1/2$ to 4 inches in total length; and the giant Common Hamster, Cricetus, approximately 8 to 11 inches in total length. Neither dwarf nor giant hamsters have found laboratory favor or pet popularity. The third, the Mesocricetus Hamsters, are of a size in between, have 12 to 16 functioning mammae (nipples), are more prolific than dwarf or giant which have but eight mammae. Wild Mesocricetus Hamsters, Golden, were captured in Syria, domesticated in Palestine, and some descendants later exported to England, the United States and elsewhere. From the Greek word Mesos, meaning middle or in between, and the Latin word Auratus, meaning golden, came the scientific name of the Syriac-Palestinian Hamster: "Golden Hamster, subgenus Mesocricetus, variety Auratus." An abbreviated designation, "Cricetus Auratus," is sometimes employed. Syrian Golden Hamster is the commonly used name.

In wild state, normal Golden Hamsters are 5 to $6 1/2$ inches long, weighing 3 to $4 1/2$ ounces in mature adulthood at 16 to 18 weeks of age. As might be expected, the favorable conditions and proper care in domestication have developed the hamster until good stock weighs 4 oz. upward, and 4 to $5 1/2$ oz. is standard weight for best breeders. Hamsters are beautifully furred a deep golden brown to deep golden red on back and sides, and white to pale bluish grey underneath the body. Distinct dark markings appear on ears, neck and skull. Notably large, elongated cheek pouches—inconspicuous while empty, enormous when filled—used for carrying food and nesting materials. —7—