Hamster

Social housing and social isolation: Impact on stress indices and energy balance in male and female Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

Although Syrian hamsters are thought to be naturally solitary, recent evidence from our laboratory demonstrates that hamsters may actually prefer social contact. Hamsters increase their preference for a location associated with an agonistic encounter regardless of whether they have “won”...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Ross, A. P., Norvelle, A., Choi, D. C. et al. 2017. Social housing and social isolation: Impact on stress indices and energy balance in male and female Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Physiology & Behavior 177, 264-269.

The gingival vein as a minimally traumatic site for multiple blood sampling in guinea pigs and hamsters

Laboratory animals are still necessary in scientific investigation and vaccine testing, but while novel methodological approaches are not available for their replacement, the search for new, humane, easy, and painless methods is necessary to diminish their stress and pain. When...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Rodrigues, M. V., de Castro, S. O., de Albuquerque, C. Z. 2017. The gingival vein as a minimally traumatic site for multiple blood sampling in guinea pigs and hamsters. PLOS ONE 12(5), e0177967.

Exogenous and endogenous components in circadian rhythms

The running activity of hamsters is much higher at a light intensity of only 0.05 lux than 20 lux.

Year Published: 1960Animal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Aschoff, J. 1960. Exogenous and endogenous components in circadian rhythms. Cold Spring Harbor Symposium on Quantitative Biology 25, 11-28.

Activity measured by running wheels and observation during the oestrus cycle, pregnancy and pseudopregnancy in the Golden hamster

Golden hamsters run up to 9 km/24 h in running wheels.

Year Published: 1966Animal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Richards, M. P. M. 1966. Activity measured by running wheels and observation during the oestrus cycle, pregnancy and pseudopregnancy in the Golden hamster. Animal Behaviour 14, 450-458.

Assessment of environmental influence on the biological responses of animals

Hamsters housed in dark cages show poor reproductive performance.

Year Published: 1967Animal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Porter, G. 1967. Assessment of environmental influence on the biological responses of animals. In: Husbandry of Laboratory Animals. Conalty, M. L. (ed), 29. Academic Press, New York.

Food hoarding behaviour in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus): effects of body weight loss and hoard-size discrimination

Two experiments investigated some of the factors that influence food hoarding behaviour in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). In Experiment 1, hamsters given limited access to food failed to increase the amount of food they consumed at each meal. Instead,...

Year Published: 1969Animal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Phillips, J., Robinson, A., Davey, G. 1969. Food hoarding behaviour in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus): effects of body weight loss and hoard-size discrimination. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology [B] 41, 33-37.

Paper as a positive reinforcer for acquisition of a barpress response by the golden hamster

A hamster will readily work in order to get access to nesting material.

Year Published: 1969Animal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Jansen, P. E., Goodman, E. D., Jowaisas, D. et al. 1969. Paper as a positive reinforcer for acquisition of a barpress response by the golden hamster. Psychonomic Science 16, 113-114.

Housing, care, and breeding

Species-appropriate handling procedures are described/demonstrated.

Year Published: 1968Animal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Magalhaes, H. 1968. Housing, care, and breeding . In: The Golden Hamster - Its Biology and Use in Medical Research. Hoffman, R. A., Robinson, P. F., Magalhaes, H. (eds), 15-23. Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa.

The effect of light intensity on the breeding and development of rats and golden hamsters

It was noticed that animals subjected to an illumination of 2000 lux were tame and playful with handling, while those at lower light intensities resisted handling and tried to bite when vaginal smear was taken. ... The weight of some...

Year Published: 1969Animal Type: Hamster, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Weihe, W. H., Schidlow, J., Strittmatter, J. 1969. The effect of light intensity on the breeding and development of rats and golden hamsters. International Journal of Biometeorology 13, 69-79.

Effects of oestrogen and progesterone on nest building in the golden hamster

Nest building in golden hamsters was measured by daily removal and weighing of nests built with straw pulled in from a supply outside each cage. Females used increasing amounts of straw as pregnancy advanced. Similar increases were seen in spayed...

Year Published: 1969Animal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Richards, M. 1969. Effects of oestrogen and progesterone on nest building in the golden hamster. Animal Behaviour 17, 356-361.