Turkish Hamster

Scientific name: Mesocricetus brandti
Size: 18-26cm long
Lifespan: 2-3 years
Natural range: Turkey, Lebanon and Isreal

Housing

• large multi-level hamster cage or aquarium with mesh lid
• allow at least 20gal per hamster
• they are very territorial and should be housed individually
• provide an external heat source on low for the enclosure; if they get cold they will go into hibernation
• Bedding: aspen
• Accessories: wheel, hideaway, wood chews, tubes

Food

• high quality commercial rodent seed mix and rodent blocks
• timothy hay
• fresh vegetables once to twice a week

Breeding

• Maturity: 7-8 weeks old for females, 4-6 months old for males
• Gestation: 15-18 days
• Litter size: 2-8
• young should be fully weaned by 3-4 weeks old