Buyer question
Is a Long-haired Syrian hamster good for beginners?
Yes: our Animal Library rates the Long-haired Syrian hamster 4 out of 5 for beginners (good first small pet).
Source: the Long-haired Syrian hamster page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Long-haired Syrian hamster in the Animal Library
The detail
The long-haired Syrian, often sold as the teddy bear hamster, is the same species as the golden hamster with a recessive long-coat gene. Males grow a long skirt of hair, so an owner adds gentle grooming to normal Syrian care.
- Best fit
- First pets, older children
- Handling
- 4 out of 5 (Tames well with patience)
- Care load
- 3 out of 5 (Coat checks, spot-clean)
What to weigh
Long hair picks up bedding and food and can mat or soil around the rear, especially on males. Otherwise it is a Syrian: solitary, nocturnal and short-lived.