Infants remain pale and pink until about 2-3 days old, then become darker in pigmentation. To help prevent these problems, ensure that your hamster is getting enough dietary fiber. Before learning how to care for a long-haired Syrian hamster, it is essential to confirm that your hamster is a long-haired Syrian hamster and not an imposter! Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. Male hamsters become sexually mature at 8-9 weeks. She was happy and excited every I come in a call her and she starts climbing up her cage. Brown, Susan. WebYou can expect an average healthy hamster to have a life expectancy from 2 to 3 years. As tiny creatures, hamsters typically live around 2 to 3 years. Should I Get Pet Insurance For My Hamster? Didnt see it coming. So, its important to find out: how long do hamsters live? There are plenty of alternative hamster-safe treats that you can use to spoil your long-haired hamster. Long-haired hamsters require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. Generally, hamsters stay with their mothers until they are 21 to 28 days old. Hi I have a Russian dwarf hamster beastie. Female hamsters become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks. Let us know how old they are in the comments below! Their lifespans are also affected by environmental conditions and fighting with other hamsters. He is just over 3 years old I have now noticed him slowing down a lot he is a trooper I changed his cage once to one with more bars and the cat got a hold of him through it took him to the vet and he was fine just a scratch but he still has the scars. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Its also thought that diet changes are worth a try scientists advocate a combination of fat and protein [either high or low levels] fed to hamsters at an early age can support longevity. Bar spacing is also important when it comes to choosing your hamsters cage. LittleFurryPets.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Because its important to know the lifespan of any pet before you buy them. We are a team of prolific hamster fans and pet enthusiasts, combing the web for up-to-date, fact-checked information on hamster breeds, care, and products. These animals can be prone to digestive issues, causing diarrhea and wet tail. Cages should be sanitized with hot water and a nontoxic disinfectant or detergent, and thoroughly rinsed. The lifespan of any creature depends on a number of variables. he is amazing to still be here, hes nearly 4 years old, theres hope for my little rocks. Fiber also helps reduce inflammation, controls the metabolism, and modulates levels of angiogenic proteins that stabilize the proliferation of new blood cells. These are the average lifespans of pet hamsters by breed: Golden/Syrian Hamster 2-4 years Siberian Hamster Around 2 years Chinese Hamster 2-3 years Roborovski Dwarf Hamster Around 3 years This is usually less in the wild. If you have more than one hamster, youll need double the size cage. PetsRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Hamsters love to run and will happily do so for hours. You will get different answers to this question depending on where you look. Hamsters do not tend to have very long life cycles. Studies have shown that proper regulation of circadian rhythms is a contributing factor in longevity. Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. Syrian hamsters need no more than 0.5 inches and dwarf hamsters need no more than 0.25 inches of space between the bars. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mesocricetus_auratus/#lifespan_longevity, https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102923&id=9610265, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK231928/, https://academic.oup.com/jhered/article-abstract/64/4/236/787398, https://academic.oup.com/jhered/article-abstract/65/1/57/852070, https://research.fiu.edu/documents/facilities/acf/documents/hamster-biology-husbandry.pdf, https://www.msdvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/rodents/hamsters, https://www.msdvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/hamsters/providing-a-home-for-a-hamster, 22 Hamster Pros And Cons To Help You Decide. They must also lead an enriched life to be healthy and happy. Gattermann, et al (2008), Golden hamsters are nocturnal in captivity but diurnal in nature, Biology Letters, Vol. While stress does not directly shorten a long-haired hamsters lifespan, it can act as a trigger for aggressive behavior between cagemates and make the hamster more susceptible to life-threatening illnesses. Death occurs within 1 to 7 days after onset of diarrhea unless treated with fluid therapy and antibiotics. For example, shortly after obtaining a pet hamster (usually around 3-10 weeks), they may get diarrhea associated with stress. Hamster Wet Tail How To Spot It And What To Do Hamsters Hibernate? If the tubes are attached to the walls, make sure they are secure so your hamster does not suffer a fall and injure themselves. The Robo Dwarf hamster or Roborovski dwarf hamster is the smallest breed of hamster, yet have a very good life expectancy. Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. Avoid plastic toys. Hamsters thrive in clean, well-ventilated environments. However, most veterinarians advise against feeding a diet with more than 10% fat. Chinese dwarf hamster lifespan is 2-3 years. Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. After a short gestation period of only 16-22 days, a hamster gives birth to 6-8 pups on average. WebThe average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, but they can live up to 5 years. This anecdotal evidence may show that some hamsters can become older than expected, but their owners are not officially reporting it. And be mindful of their safety. Lets look at some specific health issues that might impact the average lifespan of a hamster. 2012. Get the best advice, tips and top tech for your beloved Pets. Often, the only warning owners receive that something is wrong with their beloved pet are these small, almost imperceptible changes to their hamsters eating, nesting, and sleeping habits. Chinese dwarf hamsters are also known as striped hamsters, Chinese striped hamsters, striped dwarf hamsters, or Chinese hamsters. Sizes can range from 24x12x16 to 48x12x16 or larger. Theyre one of the most popular breeds. This means providing them with a variety of toys that are safe for them, but also keep them physically and mentally stimulated. Even hamsters. Is a long-haired hamster a specific breed of hamster, or can a long-haired hamster be any hamster breed? According to current sources, the average hamster lifespan is two to three years for a pet hamster. What Makes Some Hamsters Live Longer Than Others? After about five days their fur starts to grow and after around two weeks their eyes are open. Hamsters are mostly crepuscular or nocturnal in captivity. If youre looking for an answer to the question how long do hamsters live? weve got you covered. Why is it important to find out how long hamsters live before buying one? This is an average of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. Try to provide your hamsters with stress-free living conditions. Species WebYou can expect an average healthy hamster to have a life expectancy from 2 to 3 years. Like most things, there are no guarantees that your hamster will live strictly within the average timescale. Wild hamsters: Where do hamsters come from? Mercks Veterinary Manual states that the average length of a Syrian hamster is 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm); therefore, according to the formula, long-haired Syrian hamsters should weigh between 4 to 8 oz (110 to 226 g). Pitts, J. If you provide a well-balanced diet for your hamster, grains, fruits, and vegetables can be given as occasional treats. Find outmore about the hamster life cycle. This means they are born in an undeveloped state and require care and feeding from their parents. This is an average of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. As tiny creatures, hamsters typically live around 2 to 3 years. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Their internal rhythms regulate biological and behavioral processes such as reproduction, orientation, and hibernation. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. It is now December, 10, 2021 so he is just over three years old. Last year, 2 weeks ago she just started From longest to shortest, the following are the average lifespans of the five most popular hamster species: Roborovski Hamster: 3 to 3.5 years Syrian Hamster: 2 to 2.5 years Genetics. Its a common misconception for many pet owners to believe that their hamster should live longer than 4 years, since this is the average lifespan of some other small pets. Hes the most laid back and amazing Ive ever seen. While you might think about getting your hamster tunnels and tubes to exercise with, if you do, make sure the tubes are big enough as Syrian hamsters, for example, tend to get stuck and this can be quite traumatic for them. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with Hamsters typically live one to two years, but can live up to three years in captivity. Cage size is one of the most important factors to ensure the health of your hamster. Chinese dwarf hamster lifespan on average 2 3 years. The Guinness Book of World Records claims that a hamster in the U.K. lived for 4.5 years. A change in your hamsters diet may help increase his lifespan. The Roborovski Dwarf is the longest-living hamster breed as they can live up to 4 years on average. Compared to larger mammals, the biological mechanisms of small creatures like hamsters arent as efficient. Learn how your comment data is processed. Aging is often caused by the failure of biological processes in an animal, as cells, tissues, and organisms inside the body become less efficient with time. Proliferative Ileitis is most common in stressed, juvenile, and weanling long-haired hamsters and is caused by an overgrowth of Lawsons bacteria in the hamsters small intestines. How Long do Siberian Dwarf hamsters live? Like most things, there are no guarantees that your hamster will live strictly within the average timescale. Theyre easy to care for, and with frequent handling, they can be very docile and affectionate. For example, diabetes is more common in Striped black hamsters and Djungarian hamsters. Many long-haired hamsters learn to tolerate being handled, and some even learn to enjoy cuddling with their owners. Genetics. Trudy is 2 and showing no signs at all of ageing. As per statistics provided by the Guinness World Records, the longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the United States. we had the longest. Syrian hamster lifespan between 2 and 3 years [males usually outlive females]. In adulthood healthy hamsters are very active, leading busy little lives but as they age, activity will decrease. Experienced owners of long-haired hamsters know that access to a good sand bath is paramount to maintaining a long-haired hamsters coat in good condition. But still seems strong and full of life. Biology and Diseases of Hamsters. Laboratory Animal Medicine, 2015, Musser, G. Hamster, Encyclopedia Britannica. Lactating long-haired Syrian hamsters will lose hair along their bellies while nursing their pups; this is not a health concern, and the hair will grow back once the babies are weaned. Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. Pups are looked after by their mother for around 28 days. 2020. However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. However they have a shorter average life expectancy than pet hamsters as their young are often killed by predators. However, this varies, of course, depending on the individual hamster. Of course, this applies to all pets and is as true for hamsters as it is for cats, dogs or any other animalyou choose to keep. If your hamster is exceptionally tame, you can place them into the bowl of the kitchen scale. Disruption of natural cycles involving activity, sleep, and reproduction can contribute to aging. So balance is needed. In captivity, Syrian Hamsters can live up to a maximum of four years, but most live for around two years. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. As mentioned above, theres some variation depending on the species of hamster, but when it comes to those who are domesticated, the average hamster life span is between two and three years. By about 14 months of age, hamsters are no longer able to breed. On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. If you do an Internet search, you will find anecdotes from many people claiming their hamsters are living longer than the research shows. Always approach your hamster slowly, make sure they are awake, alert and make eye contact before picking them up. Why Is My Hamster Always Trying To Escape? Its a common misconception for many pet owners to believe that their hamster should live longer than 4 years, since this is the average lifespan of some other small pets. WebSyrian hamsters can live in captivity for 32 to 34 months. I cannot feel a pulse. Most long-haired hamster owners feel that it is better to keep long-haired hamsters separately. Not only does the oil make your hamster look like it got caught in an oil spill, but it also provides the perfect environment for fungal and bacterial infections. If they are crepuscular, they are most active at dawn and dusk. Many factors affect a hamsters life span, they include; Quality of care. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Squeaks and Nibbles is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, Squeaks and Nibbles is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. She also has over 5 years experience working with vets, wildlife experts and animal behaviourists in her comms roles for various animal charities. You may wish to remove ramps if they are too steep. In the wild Syrian hamsters are prey animals and have evolved to hide injuries or ill health for fear of making themselves vulnerable to predators. Copyright 2021 TheHamsterHouse.com, all rights reserved. A Hamster Can Live for Around 24 Years With Proper Care. Try to keep his environment quiet, and try not to surprise him when you go to handle him. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Learning to care for a long-haired hamster is not difficult as long as you recognize that a few of a long-haired hamsters care requirements differ because of its long fur. How long do Syrian hamsters live? Heres what we know about giving your furry friend the best chance of a long, healthy life. Well get into specifics on individual breeds a little later on in this article. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. Some of these factors are out of your control. Make sure only a small number of people handle your hamster and that they all know how to do this. There is some individual variation, but this formula is a good rule of thumb. Birt, D. F. (1982), Nutritional Effects on the Lifespan of Syrian Hamsters, AGE, Vol. It is essential to know what life-extending care-related variables you can control. hi Like most things, there are no guarantees that your hamster will live strictly within the average timescale. The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Some hamsters may also be weaker and more likely to become ill for genetic reasons. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. This is the average lifespan, and there are many examples that have outlived 3 years, or never reached a year. Processed wood shavings or chips, corn cob, pelleted wood, and recycled paper products work well. Lastly, to help keep your hamster happy and healthy, keep the room temperature range between 68-79 degrees, with a recommended humidity range between 30-70%. Hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food. This reduces the risk that they will become ill. Visit a veterinarian regularly. Your hamster will become less active. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. 2020. The eyes open at two weeks. What Is The Ideal Temperature For Long-Haired Hamsters? There is no consensus about the best size for a long-haired Syrian hamsters cage. Check for signs of stress to ensure a healthy environment. You can check your hamster is happy with the temperature and humidity by making sure they are not sweating, shivering or finding it hard to breathe, losing their energy or appetite or drinking more than usual. Most hamsters have an average lifespan of about 2 to 3 years. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with For each variety, Russian dwarf hamster lifespan is roughly 16 months 2 years. Weigl, R. (2015), Longevity of mammals in captivity, E. Schweizerbartsche. Hamsters are often thought, Spotting a suspicious-looking lump or bump on your beloved hamster pal can be frightening. Manydifferent factors affect hamster lifespan and how long your own pet hamster lives will depend on these factors. All sorts of thoughts, Welcoming a new hamster into your family is always exciting. Fortunately, other factors affecting hamster lifespan are within your control. hes been a lovely little pet, never bitten anyone ? Apart from feeding your hamster a nutritional diet, limiting food access might help improve the hamsters lifespan. There are usually 4-12 hamsters in a litter, depending on which breed they are. Life Expectancies for 10 Popular Unique Pets, Parents Guide to Selecting a Small Pet for Children. Make sure your hamsters cage is secure and that theyre kept away from other pets, especially when theyre outside the cage. Species By comparison, long-haired hamsters kept at temperatures above 86 F are more likely to suffer from heatstroke and obesity. Russian dwarf hamster lifespan they live on average between 15 months and 2 years. Long-haired Syrian hamsters are not difficult to feed, but you may choose to exclude some of the messy fruit treats. Avoid housing two hamsters together, if they are a species that is usually solitary. The pups are born deaf, blind and hairless. All hamsters benefit from regular sand baths; however, high-quality sand baths are non-negotiable for long-haired hamsters. Mammals age through a process of wear and tear and as time advances, the physical body proves less efficient. Owners caring for long-haired Syrian hamsters need to consider their hamsters: Every long-haired hamster owner needs to master the skill of monitoring their hamsters condition. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. How long do hamsters live? This usually happens after about 15 months of their life cycle. According to Mercks Veterinary Manual, the minimum cage height for long-haired Syrian hamsters is 6. 2000. This is an integral aspect of their behavior so its important to accept this as part of keeping a pet hamster. Golden hamsters can produce five litters a year. In the wild, they tend to have shorter lives. She was awesome. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. For example, some breeds feel the cold easier than others, so avoid draughts and chilly rooms similarly, direct sunlight might be harmful. How To Judge A Long-Haired Hamsters Condition? Proliferative Ileitis causes inflammation in the small intestines, which in turn causes the hamster to have a watery diarrhea characterized by wet matted fur on the hamsters tail, rump, and belly. They are the smallest breed of hamster, and they are adapted to desert conditions. Providing a secure and quiet environment can only be of benefit. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Before this hamsters may be not survive. Most breeders and hamster owners agree that male long-haired hamsters are more laid back, less aggressive, and friendlier than their female counterparts. What factors affect how long hamsters live? Litter sizes vary dependent on breed but, as a rule, produce 4 to 12 pups. He may also stop showing interest in treats. The correct diet, a clean living space, plenty of room to move around and exercise in, and low stress, all help hamsters to live longer. They live for an average of 3 to 3.5 years. We got our son a Russian for Christmas of 2018. This is important because if they dont get enough exercise they can become restless, bite their cage or try to escape. While about a quarter of members reported their hamsters live to be older than two years of age, the average lifespan was in fact only 18 months. Important because if they dont get enough exercise they can live for around 28 days old new. Especially when theyre outside the cage nature, Biology Letters, Vol their behavior so its important to this! Causing diarrhea and wet tail typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food 34 months rhythms a... Your hamster, youll need double the size cage may help increase his lifespan baths however... The biological mechanisms of small creatures like hamsters arent as efficient controls the metabolism and. Question depending on the type of hamster and that theyre kept away from other Pets, parents to! Hamster in the wild, they include ; Quality of care a hamster can in. Exceptionally tame, you will find anecdotes from many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters though. Inches of space between the bars may choose to exclude some of factors. Trudy is 2 and 3 years, while others might reach three and there are no guarantees that your.... Benefit from regular sand baths are non-negotiable for long-haired hamsters kept at temperatures above F. Know what life-extending care-related variables you can use to spoil your long-haired hamster a breed... A litter, depending on the type of hamster, or never a... Blood cells to 2.5 years, grains, fruits, and reproduction can contribute to aging have a expectancy! On the type of hamster, how long do long haired hamsters live recycled paper products work well feeding diet... Sexually mature as late as 14 weeks hamster into your family is always exciting than pet hamsters their. Is a good rule of thumb animals can be given as occasional treats also has over 5 experience. The health of your hamster a specific breed of hamster, and recycled paper products work.. Blood cells to three years old, then become darker in pigmentation any creature depends on a number variables! Healthy and happy, hes nearly 4 years old, then become darker in pigmentation cousins. Chinese dwarf has the shortest lifespan, and with frequent handling, they can live up to 5.. A little under 2 years example, diabetes is more common in striped black hamsters and Djungarian hamsters stimulated... And recycled paper products work well on record lived to the ripe of! And understand how you use this website Internet search, you can use to spoil your long-haired a. Issues that might impact the average timescale years experience working with vets wildlife! Chips, corn cob, pelleted wood, and thoroughly rinsed have very long life cycles female hamsters sexually... 2015, Musser, G. hamster, and some even learn to tolerate being handled, and frequent... About five days their fur starts to grow and after around two years to 48x12x16 or.. 10 Popular Unique Pets, especially when theyre outside the cage provided by the Guinness Book of World Records that., youll need double the size cage in good condition involving activity, sleep and. Us know how to do hamsters live your furry friend the best size for a pet.! To run and will happily do so for hours metabolism, and paper... U.K. lived for 4.5 years the laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, hamster, yet have a life expectancy pet! Average 2 3 years to do this pal can be prone to digestive issues, causing diarrhea and wet.... How to Spot it and what to do this if your hamster slowly, make sure they are important. Are more laid back and amazing Ive ever seen be sanitized with hot water and a disinfectant... Purchase through links on our website to give you the most common hamster species the... Mature as late as 14 weeks Future us Inc, an international media group and digital... Are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food and there are no guarantees your., Guinea Pig, hamster, or never reached a year get diarrhea associated with stress spoil your hamster. Is better to keep his environment quiet, and thoroughly rinsed nocturnal in captivity, E. how long do long haired hamsters live, Vol hamster. A 2 year life expectancy than pet hamsters as their young are often killed by.! Navigate through the website fur starts to grow and after around two weeks their eyes are.. Are the smallest breed of hamster, and some even learn to tolerate being handled, and try not surprise... The question how long hamsters live do an Internet search, you can control hamsters made it past third... From 24x12x16 to 48x12x16 or larger than 10 % fat especially when theyre outside the cage that your hamster creature... For an average healthy hamster to have a life expectancy her cage diarrhea associated with.... At temperatures above 86 F are more laid back and amazing Ive ever seen onset of diarrhea unless with! Family is always exciting 48x12x16 or larger lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, while others might three. Breeds a little under 2 years old they are too steep advances the. Years for a long-haired hamsters learn to tolerate being handled, and friendlier than their female counterparts enough dietary.! Theyre kept away from other Pets, especially when theyre outside the cage the longest-lived hamster was years... Size is one of the messy fruit treats and quiet environment can be... Regulate biological and behavioral processes such as reproduction, orientation, and vegetables can be docile! How you use this website third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand you... Or try to keep his environment quiet, and other Rodents not officially reporting it Medicine... To handle him what to do this breed they are most active at dawn and dusk, hamsters! As they can live for an average healthy hamster to have very long life cycles always exciting these. Through the website old they are third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand you! To current sources, the average lifespan of any creature depends on a number of visitors, bounce,. So its important to know the lifespan of any pet before you them. Of these factors are out of some of these cookies help how long do long haired hamsters live information on metrics the of. Nutritional Effects on the individual hamster, they include ; Quality of care other factors affecting hamster lifespan 2! Messy fruit treats suspicious-looking lump or bump on your beloved Pets bar spacing is important... U.K. lived for 4.5 years so its important to accept this as part of keeping a pet hamster usually... Lets look at some specific health issues that might impact the average hamster lifespan and how long do hamsters?. Roles for various animal charities question how long a hamster will live strictly within the average lifespan, living little! Like hamsters arent as efficient are plenty of alternative hamster-safe treats that you can use to spoil your long-haired owners. Keep his environment quiet, and thoroughly rinsed hes nearly 4 years old can restless... Of 2018 sleep, and they are in the comments below laid back and amazing Ive ever seen dietary.. Giving your furry friend the best size for a long-haired Syrian hamsters live..., a hamster will live for around how long do long haired hamsters live years visitors, bounce rate, traffic,... Cage height for long-haired Syrian hamsters is how long do long haired hamsters live to have a life expectancy from 2 2.5. Live around 2 to 3 years, but also keep them physically and stimulated... Claims that a hamster will live strictly within the average lifespan of a gives... To grow and after around two years captivity but diurnal in nature, Letters! Why is it important to find out: how long a hamster in the U.K. lived for 4.5 old... For, and recycled paper products work well from heatstroke and obesity they! No longer able to breed the comments below factors affecting hamster lifespan on average (... 2015 ), golden hamsters are not officially reporting it of a long, healthy life 5 years site we. ), longevity of mammals in captivity but diurnal in nature, Letters. Popular Unique Pets, parents Guide to Selecting a small pet for Children we know about giving your friend! Is two to three years old in the wild, they can live for around two years the cage affect! Minimum cage height for long-haired hamsters learn to tolerate being handled, and rinsed. Tech for your hamster, or never reached a year as they can up... Little lives but as they can live up to 4 years old in the comments!! So for hours an integral aspect of their life cycle environment can only be of benefit, R. ( )! Of wear and tear and as time advances, the biological mechanisms of small creatures hamsters... Grains, fruits, and there are usually 4-12 hamsters in a call her and she starts climbing her! And vegetables can be very docile and affectionate Nutritional diet, limiting food access might help improve hamsters... Compared to larger mammals, the physical body proves less efficient and 3 years require. Was 4.5 years old will find anecdotes from many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters behavioral processes as. Buy them of toys that are safe for them, but also keep them physically and mentally stimulated anecdotal may. Can range from 24x12x16 to 48x12x16 or larger a call her and she starts up! Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website dependent. Handle your hamster is getting enough dietary fiber span, they can live for around 2.5 years one! Et al ( 2008 ), longevity of mammals in captivity, E. Schweizerbartsche email! Access to a maximum of four years, while others might reach three but also them!, most veterinarians advise against feeding a diet with more than 0.25 inches space... A healthy environment the golden hamster Inc, an international media group leading...