one day i was lookin'at hamster questions and a few people mention them going into heat? i have a hamster so what is it and do i need 2 worry about it?
2007-02-13 15:47:36 · 5 answers · asked by Kasin W 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
They only looking for a male to mate with them.
2007-02-13 16:07:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do you have Syrian hamster or one of the dwarf species? The dwarf species don't have an obvious heat cycle like the Syrians do. (Syrians are the larger hamsters that pet stores always incorrectly sell as "Panda Bears", "Teddy Bears", "Honey Bears", etc..).
Female Syrian hamsters go into heat every 4-5 days, with 4 days being the typical but 5 day not unusual. Some females will have obvious signs that they are in heat, others will not show any unless placed with a male. A female in heat may take the "freezing" posture when you stroke her back. She will lower her body and raise her tail and back end straight into the air to allow the male the best mount, even if there's no male present. Some will stay locked in this position for a few minutes with no other stimuli while others will "break" out of it once you stop touching their backs. A female in heat may have a bit of white vaginal discharge and she will usually have a musky smell (though some of my females have the musky smell all the time).
Given that it's winter, you female may not be going into heat. As a breeder, I have to use artifical lights and added heat to get my females to go into heat year round and even then, many of them still sense it's winter and won't go into heat. The trick is to give them 14 hours of light, turn the lights off and then go back two hours later. This is the easiest way to get the females to go into heat.
-Janice
http://www.holmdenhillhaven.com
2007-02-13 23:31:17 · answer #2 · answered by radiocricket 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When an animal is referred to as being "in heat" it simply means that they are ready/looking to mate.
Unlike humans who can mate and breed during anytime of the year, most animals such as mammals like your hamster, can only get pregnant during a couple of specific times per year which is where the term "mating season" comes from. It's nothing to worry about though. Usually the animal becomes more active or moody for a while and then it'll calm down again.
2007-02-13 15:52:54 · answer #3 · answered by Digital Haruspex 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"heat" is the term used to describe part of the estrous cycle where the female is ready to mate. It isn't a problem...don't worry. If you have a female they might get aggressive during this time, but if you have a male then it doesn't happen in them so don't worry.
To the poster above: Humans are on a cycle just as animals are. They can only get pregnant at certain times. Some animals don't go through a cycle, but instead release eggs when bred (prey animals like rabbits).
2007-02-13 15:53:10 · answer #4 · answered by missknightride 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no
2007-02-13 16:13:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋