THE HAMSTER 



(Cricetus frumentarius) 



FORTUNATELY for us, the Hamster is not included among British 

 animals, although it is well known as near us as Germany, and 

 ranges thence eastwards into Central Siberia. It is about the size of 

 a Guinea-Pig, and not unlike one in form, except that it has a short 

 tail, and also a smaller head and smarter appearance. The tortoise- 

 shell colouration of the coat is somewhat variable, and pied speci- 

 mens, or even pure black and white ones, are not uncommon. One 

 notable peculiarity of the Hamster is the pair of cheek-pouches it 

 possesses, which can be distended until the size of the head appears 

 doubled. It blows its cheeks out like this when angry, which is 

 pretty often, for the Hamster is one of the most touchy, ill- 

 conditioned little animals in existence ; but their more practical pur- 

 pose is to serve, as in the case of other animals possessing these 

 convenient face-pockets, as temporary receptacles for food. 



When he has his mouth filled with provisions, he cannot bite; but 

 he is not long in emptying his pouches and getting ready for the 

 fray if he is not taken quite by surprise. He is really courageous 

 as well as quarrelsome will make a good fight with any Dog but an 

 experienced ratter, and even attack a man without any provocation 

 than that of passing near his hole. His relations with his fellow 

 Hamsters are usually strained ; even the male and female only agree 

 during their short honeymoon in the spring, when they are quite 

 strongly attached for the time being. But the feeling soon wanes, 

 and when the young ones arrive, their mother turns them out-of-doors 

 to seek their own living when they are a fortnight old. This is no 

 hardship, for they have already begun to dig at that age; and, 

 though born blind and naked, they have teeth from the first, and 

 begin to eat corn at a week old, before they can see or have a full 

 coat of fur, so that they can fairly be called a precocious litter. 

 Their number is six to eight ; and at least two litters appear in a year. 



m 



