Turkish hamster
| Turkish hamster | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Cricetinae |
| Genus: | Mesocricetus |
| Species: | M. brandti
|
| Binomial name | |
| Mesocricetus brandti (Nehring, 1898)
| |
The Turkish hamster (Mesocricetus brandti), also referred to as Brandt's hamster,[1][2] Azerbaijani hamster,[2] or avurtlak,[3] is a species of hamster native to Turkey,[2] Azerbaijan and other surrounding nations.[1] The Turkish hamster, first catalogued in 1878,[1] is a fairly close relative of the Syrian or golden hamster,[2] though far less is known about it, and it is rarely kept as a pet. The population of the Turkish hamster is said to be declining in the wild,[1] yet this hamster is often used in laboratory testing.[2] Turkish hamsters have lifespans of about two years[2] and are solitary,[2][4] nocturnal animals, which practice hibernation.[1][2] They are reported to be more aggressive[2] than other members of the family Cricetidae.[2] They are tan and dark, sandy brown in color.[3] Like all hamsters, the Turkish hamster has cheek pouches that allow it to carry large amounts of food at one time.[3]
Habitat and behavior
Hamsters are found in the wild throughout Europe and Asia The land where the Turkish hamster lives is extremely dry and open, with fairly little vegetation aside from grasses.[1] Turkish hamsters usually live between 1,000 and 2,200 meters above sea level.[1] This hamster burrows in the ground for shelter,[1] and its burrows can be 20 inches to 6 feet below the ground surface.[1] These burrows are complex, consisting of several tunnels leading to separate cells for nesting, food, and waste.[1] Turkish hamster burrows are well-enough equipped for the hamsters to hibernate for four to 10 months (though sources do differ on this point),[1][2] sometimes sleeping for 30 days at a time,[4] though usually waking weekly for a day or two of activity.[1][2][4]
Diet
Turkish hamsters have fairly varied diets,
Population and endangerment
The Turkish hamster is a rare species,
Reproduction
Turkish hamsters are weaned from their mothers after three weeks of nursing.[4] After eight weeks of age, females are sexually mature,[4] but males do not mature until six months of age.[4] According to iucnredlist.org, Turkish hamsters have two to four litters of young per year, with four to 20 young per litter, averaging 10.[1] Petwebsite.com differs on this point, arguing the litter size is between one and 13 young, with an average of 6.[4] The gestation lasts from 14 to 15 days,[2][4] or 16–17 days.[1] The two main breeding seasons are spring and fall,[4] when daylength is about 15–17 hours per day.[4]
Relationship to other hamsters
All hamsters are solitary creatures and are generally aggressive. Turkish hamsters are most closely related to the Syrian or golden hamster.[2] The Turkish hamster is considered to be the more aggressive of the two, but this could be because the other species has been domesticated.[3][5]
Domestic pets
Turkish hamsters are kept as a pet by some. Hamsters are aggressive by nature and these hamsters are recent pet species, yet this species is still improving. The
References
- ^ . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Turkish Hamster". Hamster-Care. Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Mesocricetus brandti - Turkish Hamster". TrekNature. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Turkish Hamster". Pet Web Site. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Types of Hamsters". About Breeding Knowledge. Archived from the original on December 27, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2011.