Romanian hamster
From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia
| Romanian hamster | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Cricetinae |
| Genus: | Mesocricetus |
| Species: | M. newtoni |
| Binomial name | |
| Mesocricetus newtoni (Nehring, 1898) | |
The Romanian hamster or Dobrudja hamster (Mesocricetus newtoni) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in Bulgaria and Romania.
Description[edit]
The Romanian hamster has brown dorsal (back) fur and a white underside. The top of the head has a dark stripe that extends to the neck. The dark cheek stripes extend back to the shoulder. Its head-body length is up to 180 mm (7 in) and its weight ranges from 80 to 115 g (3–4 oz). Its dental formula is 1.0.0.31.0.0.3.[2]
Behavior[edit]
The Romanian hamster is a species known for its nocturnal or crepuscular behavior, meaning it is most active during the night or twilight hours. These hamsters lead a solitary lifestyle, meeting primarily for mating purposes, and are known for their intricate burrow systems, which serve as both shelter and storage for food.
Like all other hamster species, the Romanian hamster is omnivorous.Their diet is varied, consisting of seeds, legumes, rooted vegetables, grasses, and insects. Notably, they possess elastic cheek pouches that enable them to efficiently transport food back to their burrows for storage.
Reaching sexual maturity at a relatively young age, typically between 56 to 70 days old, Romanian hamsters engage in breeding from early April to August. Gestation lasts approximately 15 days, with litters ranging from 1 to 12 pups. The mother plays a vital role in nurturing the pups during the three-week weaning period following birth.
Communication among Romanian hamsters primarily involves squeaking sounds and ultrasonic vocalizations, which facilitate social interaction and territory marking. Flank marking, where both sexes rub their scent glands against objects, serves as a means of communication and territorial assertion.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ Coroiu, I.; Vohralík, V. (2008). "Mesocricetus newtoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T13221A3421872. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T13221A3421872.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ a b MacDonald, David; Priscilla Barret (1993). Mammals of Britain & Europe. Vol. 1. London: HarperCollins. pp. 238–239. ISBN 0-00-219779-0.
- Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. pp. 894–1531 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
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