Hamsters and humans (Part VIII)

Hamsters and humans

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Hamsters and humans (Part VIII)

·                     Hamsters and humans

·                     Hamsters as children’s pets

·                     Human Allergies to Hamster Dander

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The main predators of grey hamsters are mink and stoats. Other hamsters are killed by foxes, birds of prey, domestic dogs and cats. Common hamsters have sometimes been trapped by man for their fur and are considered to be a pest because they dig up root vegetables and eat other crops. Dogs were used to hunt the hamsters, following them by sight. The species is thought to be in no danger of extinction, even though its numbers have been reduced over the years through modern farming methods.(7)

Until 1930, it was assumed that the golden hamster was extinct as a species. Then, in 1930, near the ancient town of Aleppo in Syria, a Jewish archaeologist by the name of Aaron Abrahams, came across a nest containing a small rodent with twelve babies that he could not identify. He carefully placed the family into a container and had them taken to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. There they were identified as golden hamsters and, under laboratory conditions, encouraged to
breed. As a result, all the golden hamsters kept as pets in the world today are descended from the mother and babies found by accident in Syria back in 1930. It has never again been found in the wild. (7)

Apart from being kept as pets, hamsters have also been popular as laboratory animals. There has been concern that they may escape and become pests, like the common hamster in Europe. They have sometimes formed colonies under the floors of buildings, but generally it is too cold in Europe for hamsters to survive in the wild. Their import is banned in Australia and New Zealand where the climate is warm and dry in parts - perfect for golden hamsters!(7)

A hamster and his pet owner. (15) 

Hamsters as children’s pets

Hamsters are naturally nocturnal and can become alarmed, and may bite, if disturbed during the daytime. Children need to be supervised when handling hamsters and, as with all pets, an adult needs to be responsible for making sure the hamster is properly cared for. (12)

Human Allergies to Hamster Dander

Certain people are allergic to the hair and/or dander of hamsters. People working with hamsters in laboratory situations are more likely to develop such allergies because of the continual association with them. Signs include itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose, persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, skin rash and anaphylactic shock (a medical emergency).(1)

Owners of hamsters may also be susceptible and if a suspected allergy problem occurs a medical doctor should be consulted.(1)

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