Z for Zoology

Day #27 of the A-Z Challenge

Today is the last day of the A-Z challenge, I feel quite sad really!

I think it will be nice to not have to do a post a day, but I think I will miss all the extra posts from some of the great blogs I read...

Anyway, lets continue with the post!

I decided to do a post on zoology for z, as I thought this was the most appropriate word begging with 'z'.

Picture from here

Z is for Zoolgy, so here is the scientific classification of a Syrian or Golden Hamster.

            Kingdom        – Animalia (Animal)                            

             Phylum           – Chordata (Animals with backbones)

               Class             – Mammalia (Mammals)                     

             Order             – Rodentia                                        

             Sub Order         – Myomorpha                                     

             Superfamily        – Muroidea                                         

             Family            – Cricetidae                                    

             Subfamily         – Cricetinae                                      

             Genus            – Mesocricetus                             

                                       Species            - M. auratus                                                               

Zoology is part of biology - we were studying it this year.

I hope that although this is biology, it will still be interesting to all you hamster lovers :)

Y for Yap

Day #25 of the A-Z Challenge

Today I am writing 'Y is for yap', simply because I am going to be rambling on a bit today, and I thought the word yap suited it perfectly.

Today I am not going to talk about animals, sorry.

I have decided to just show you my new shop and blog instead.

I am delighted to say that I have now started a small business, and blog, both called 'Hannah's Crafts'.

I am currently selling phone charms and dolls house food on the website, but if it is successful I will soon expand to making and selling more things.

The blog will be used to show my new creations, and may give arty tips and possibly tutorials of how to make a few things similar to what I sell.

If you want a new phone charm or some dolls house food, or if you simply want to have a quick browse, just click the picture and it will take you to my new shop.

What do you think of the shop? Do you like the layout and the things I sell?

If you have a look, please feel free to comment and give your feedback! It would really be appreciated! 

If you want to visit my new blog, click this link.

If you want to visit my website/shop, click this link.

Sorry to bore you all with my small yap. I hope this wasn't too much like an advert.

X for Xmas

Day #24 of the A-Z Challenge

Well, X  is an especially hard day to write for, as there are only roughly 17 words beginning with 'x' in the oxford dictionary. I choose Xmas, as I felt this was the only word I could sort of link to animals.

As you all know, hamsters are living creatures with their own minds and personalities, and their own life.

If you give a hamster as a present, (for instance and Xmas present), you have to make sure that the person you are giving the hamster to is willing and able to look after a hamster.

If you do decide to give a hamster for a present, then don't put it in a little box and wrap it up, even for the night - the hamster could suffocate, or panic due to being confined.

The best way to give a hamster is to buy a hamster cage and wrap it up, without the hamster in it. Give it as a present, and take whoever you are giving the present to with you to a pet shop to choose their own hamster. This is better in many ways, as this means that the person receiving the hamster will be able to pick just the type and colour of hamster that they want, and it is also much less stressful for the hamster this way, as they don't have to be hidden or wrapped up.

Another safe way to give a hamster for a present is to wrap up the hamster supplies, (food, bedding, water bottle etc.), and put the hamster in a cage already somewhere safe and hidden in the house. This way the hamster will have a small amount of time to settle into the cage before getting played with, and also means the hamster does not have the stress of being wrapped up.

W for Wet Tail disease

Day #23 of the A-Z Challenge

Wet tail is a horrible disease for little animals, which can kill them between 24 - 48 hours.

Animals which can catch this disease are hamsters, Chinchillas, rabbits, gerbils, rats and mice.

Causes of wet tail disease:

• Too much handling
• Change in environment
• Change in diet
• Inadequate cage cleaning
• Being away from mother and/or siblings
• Death of a tank mate

              

Symptoms of wet tail disease:                                                                     

• Wet bottom end
• Smell/ foul odor
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite
• Excess sleeping
• Not grooming itself
• Walking with a hunched back

If you think your hamster has wet tail disease, act now.

The best thing to do would be to bring your hamster or other small pet to a vet and get prescribed medicine for him or her.

If you really can not get to a vet, you can buy a bottle of 'Dri-Tail' or 'Wet-tail Drops.' These are available in most pet shops or online.

I personally recommend the vet, but some people say the bought medicine works better.

V for Videos

Day #22 of the A-Z Challenge

Whilst browsing animal information videos on youtube, I came across some really interesting ones from 'Animal Planet', so I thought I'd share them with you.

They are really informative as well as fun, so please take a few minutes to watch one or two of them.

Here are just a two on hamsters and rabbits. To see more of the 'Pets 101' series visit this link.

U for Unbelievable!

Day #21 of the A-Z Challenge

Today I am writing U for Unbelievable, simply because I have found one of the most amazing hamster stories of all time (in my opinion). It really is worth the time to read it.

This family had owned a lovely hamster called Rhino for four years, and one day they came to his cage, and their beloved hamster was dead.

The family put him in a coffin, and buried him 2 foot deep in their garden.

The next day, the family were amazed when a neighbor called, telling them that their hamster was running around their garden. 

Confused, the family went round to their neighbor's to investigate.

When they finally caught the hamster, they were stunned to discover that it was Rhino!

Rhino had escaped from the grave, and apparently come back from the dead!

The family have now re-named him 'Jesus', as he rose from the dead.

This is Rhino/Jesus. Pic. taken from the article below.

Jesus has now fully recovered from his ordeal, and is living in his 2 story cage in Oxfordshire.

If you want to read the full story, visit this article.

Don't you think that story is amazing? What's your view on the matter?

T for Toys

Day #20 of the A-Z Challenge 

T is for toys, so here is a post on some fun hamster toys my hamster has used, or I think look fun.

Wooden hamster see-saw From Pets at Home

Another fun toy, also from Pets at home

Hamster tubes! These are from amazon, but you can get them from loads of places.

I would put a few more toy pictures on here, but I don't want it to get boring so I won't.

You can also get wooden chew toys, toy ropes, wooden logs, and many more cool hamster toys. Just look at an online pet shop or in a pet shop!

Do you know any cool hamster toys, or toys for other pets? Just tell me in the comments :)

S for Sunflower Seeds

Day #19 of the A-Z Challenge

R for Robots

Day #18 of the A-Z Challenge

Looking in most toy shops, there are lots of robot type hamster things you can get these-days.

Just thought I would do a quick post with a few of them :)

Zhu Zhu pets

Hamusuta Happy Hamster in Ball

Pet Hamster Wheel Runner Blue

*I do not own any of the products, so I don't know good they are.*

Q for Quick post

Day #17 of the A-Z Challenge

Just thought I would do Q for quick post, as I haven't got much time left now!

I wanted to recommend a few great animal blogs, also taking part in the A-Z Challenge:

• Inky the Hamster Mommy
• Confessions of a Hamsterholic 
• Fuzzy Feet 'n' Furry Tails Gerbils

Hope everyone's having fun A-Z ing! Keep up the good work everyone, and thanks to everyone who has visited my blog and commented on my post, or followed this blog. I really appreciate it!

Just a quick snap of Lolly poking her head out of her cage.

P is for Picnic

Day #16 of the A-Z Challenge

Here is another little cut and paste art I did, using more pictures from google images, and cropping and changing them, then putting them together.

What do you think? Like it?

It is called Picnic time for Hamsters

Also, P is for Photos, and today a photo of Lolly (my hamster) will be featured on 'Wordless Wednesday'! Check it out here!

Hope you like it!

O for Open

Day #15 of the A-Z Challenge

This post is just going to be a quick post on what to do when your hamster's cage is left open... and if your hamster escapes.

The top 10 things you should do when you find out your hamster is missing:

1. Don't panic! If you start panicking, it is only going to make it harder for you to concentrate on finding your hamster!
   
   
   
   
2. Have a look around the room, but while looking shuffle your feet instead of walking normally, so you don't accidentally step on your hamster.
   
   
   
   
3. Remove any cleaning supplies, mousetraps chemicals or art supplies off of the floors so that they are not a danger to your hammy, and put them away.
   
   
   
   
4. If you are about to sit on the sofa or lie on your bed,check under the cushions and mattresses before sitting or lying down. Hamsters like to burrow in warm and cozy places, and you don't want to crush your hamster!
   
   
   
   
5. If you have any cats or other pets roaming around the house, put them in a room far away from your hamster's cage, as it is less likely that your hamster would have wondered that far. If you don't want to lock your pet indoors, you could always leave it outside on a warm day for a while while you search -- but be careful, you don't want to loose that pet as well!
   
   
   
   
6. Make sure that anyone who enters the house knows that your hamster has escaped, and make sure they know what to do, and what not to do.
   
   
   
   
7. Leave the cage door open - your hamster might decide to come home on his own.
   
   
   
   
8. Put a large bucket of some kind in the room your hamster is most likely to be, (e.g. the room with your hamster's cage in it), and put a yummy hamster treat in the bottom of it, along with some hamster bedding.
   
   
   
   
9. Make sure to attach some sort of ladder, or some way which your hamster can climb into the bucket.
   
   
   
   
10. Now it is just waiting to see if your hamster will turn up. Remember, hamster's are nocturnal, so don't worry if they are not captured in the day. Do not panic!

Hope this helps anyone who has lost a hamster!

N is for Nocturnal

Day #14 of the A-Z Challenge

Hamsters are nocturnal because they originally lived in the hot areas of Central Asia, and lived in burrows in the daytime and went out at night to avoid the heat of the day.

Also, there are many daytime predators, so by only coming out at night, they are keeping themselves safe.

This means that it is only fair to let them sleep during the day, so don't be tempted to wake your hamster up at midday for a play; try and wait until at least 4 o'clock.

This will allow your hamster a sensible amount of sleep, and will prevent him or her from being grumpy or nipping you.

Also, bear this in mind when you clean your hamster out. Remember - try not to wake your hamster before 4 o'clock.

M for Marriage

Day #13 of the A-Z Challenge

Well today I was planning on a quick hammy the hamster cartoon; and, seeing as I couldn't think of anything better, I chose to base this cartoon on marriage. ;)

To give some information about hamsters, they can actually become heavily dependent on their mating pair in some breeds.

Unfortunately this means that if one of the mating pair dies, the other hamster could stop eating because they are in so much pain and grief.

Some people think that hamsters are just animals, and they don't have feelings, but I think differently.

L for Laugh

Day #12 of the A-Z Challenge

After the 'J for Jokes', I was still in a mood for more, so I found some more pretty funny animal jokes.

(These ones are about chickens this time though) 

Hope you have a good laugh!

Why did the chicken cross the basketball court?

He heard the referee calling fowls

Why did the turkey cross the road?

To prove he wasn't chicken

Why did the dinosaur cross the road?

Because chickens hadn't evolved yet 

Why did the rooster cross the road?

To cockadoodle dooo something 

P.S. It's my birthday today! Yay :)

K for Knowledge

Day #11 of the A-Z Challenge

Having knowledge of how to look after your hamster is very important, and the same goes to owning any other pet.

If you don't know how to care for your pet properly, you can end up doing something wrong and harming your pet by accident, so it is important that you know how to look after them.

I have decided to link some websites I think are very informative, so that you can have a wider knowledge about your pet and how to look after them.

• http://www.hammysworld.com/index.php
• http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters.asp
• http://www.popularpets.net/
• http://thoughtsfurpaws.com/
• http://onionszoo.blogspot.co.uk/
• http://inkythehamstermommy.blogspot.co.uk/
• http://athomepets.blogspot.co.uk/
• http://petsblogs.com/

If you have any ideas, please leave it in the comments, as I am sure it will make this post better, as well as helping other pet owners, or soon-to-be pet owners!

J for Jokes

Day #10 of the A-Z Challenge

For this post I thought I would share a few funny hamster jokes.

Hope you like them!

1. Why did the hamster run away from the rain?
   It was raining cats and dogs!
   
   
2. Where do hamsters go on holiday?
   Hamsterdam!
   
   
3. What do you club a hamster with a top-hat?
   Abrahamster Lincoln!
   
   
4. What do you get if you cross a hamster and a skunk?
   You get rid of the hamster!
   

For more similar jokes, visit http://www.jokes4us.com/animaljokes/hamsterjokes.html

I for Idea

Day #9 of the A-Z Challenge

Today I thought I'd share another creative hamster idea for you, as a follow on from 'C for Creative'.

#2 - a Boredom Breaker

Idea created by Onion

You will be needing the following:

         Hamster Treats  (for example, yogurt drops and peanuts)                                                Toilet Roll Tube

Get the empty toilet tube and fold up one end of it (pic. 3), then put a few treats into it.

(note: do not put too many in, as this will not be good for your hamster. You do not need to completely fill the tube)

Then add shredded tissue paper if you want.

Then simply close up the other end and give it to your hamster to chew at and have fun with!

It is simple, but very effective for reducing boredom.

Picture 3

Hope you like this cool hamster toy idea! All praise must go to Onion for this great idea!

H for Hammy

Day #8 of the A-Z Challenge

Meet my new virtual hamster, Hammy!

Un-edited hamster picture originally from 'Fotosearch'

         

As you have already seen from my 'D' post, I am going to be doing cut and paste hamster art on this blog to add a bit of fun and variety.

Hope you like them all! :)

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Happy Easter

Here is a postcard stamp of Lolly and Happy Easter, seeing as I am on holiday (got some internet connection!).

Hope you have a nice Easter!

G is for Gardens

Day #7 of the A-Z Challenge

It is not recommended that you take your hamster outside.

This is because there are many dangers, like birds and foxes, and also the temperature, as hamsters are very small and can't be too hot or too cold.

Vets do not recommend you take your hamster outside, but if you really have to, I want to at least alert you of the possible dangers.

Here are a few main points for you to consider if taking your hamster outside:

• Time -You shouldn't take your hamster out for long, as daytime for us is night-time for them as they are nocturnal.
  
  
• Temperature -Never do it on a chilly or hot day
• Place -Watch out for Birds, Dogs, Cats, Pesticides, or any other animals which might harm your hamster, or give it an illness.
• Prepare a playpen -Don't let them run freely, or they might escape and run away. Unfortantly they won't last long outside alone.

F is for Fact-file - hamsters

Day #6 of the A-Z Challenge

This post is all about hamsters, and simple little facts.

It's not much, but I thought it might be interesting for all  you hamster lovers (inc. myself) ;)

Names

A female hamster is called a sow

A male hamster is called a boar

Hamster's young are called pups

Baby hamster info

A hamster's litter can be 4 - 12 pups

Baby hamster's birth weight is usually 2 - 3 grams

Baby hamster's eyes open at 12 - 14 days

Baby hamster's weaning age is about 3 weeks

General hamster facts

Hamsters lifespan is from 1 - 3 years

A male hamster's average weight is 85 - 130 grams 

A female hamster's average weight is 95 - 150 grams

Hamster art made by me, by using other picture and cutting and pasting them together.

For more information, please visit http://www.petsittingadvice.co.uk/hamsters.htm

E is for Eating

Day #5 of the A-Z Challenge

Here is a simple list of what hamsters should not eat.

I thought it would be more helpful to write what not to feed them, instead of what to feed them, as most people know what to feed their hamsters, but do not realise what is bad for them.

• Lettuce
• Onion
• Garlic
• The Tops of Tomatoes (- it is probably safer to avoid tomato altogether though)
• Rhubarb
• Fruit leaves, seeds, pits and stones
• Pork
• Raw kidney beans
• Avacado
• Spices
• Raw potato
• Potato tops
• Citrus fruits
• Watermelon
• Eggplant
• Leeks
• Chives
• Pickles
• Almonds
• Chocolate
• Grass

Hope this is useful for anyone is unsure of what is bad for their hamster!