[hammy]

If you have windows media player installed on your PC I thought you may like to watch some short videos of the life of a baby hamster. There are 4 short clips here that follow the mum, and babies, through the first 4 week of their life. Just click on the links in order.

A baby hamster is not a baby for long, although very cute as a baby, the baby life is very short lived.
From the day he is born, he will grow very, very quickly.
From day 1, he is born without eyes, or fur, and about 3 grams in weight.
This litter was born 7-3-07 we will follow this litter through from this stage, until the time they leave mum. Which is 28 days? (This period is our shortest calendar month. Feb)

Video 1 3 days old
http://funshare.netatronix.com/babyslife.wmv

Video 2 update 10 Days old
http://funshare.netatronix.com/babylifeupdate1.wmv

This is the first update in the life of a baby hamster. They are now 10 days old,
It will be seen now that the babies fur has started to grow, the ears that where flat against the head when born are now showing. The eyes have started to develop under the skin. In the next video the eyes should be open, and a lot more activity in the nest. They are now capable of eating solids although still suckling, and will be for about another 10 days

Video 3 17 Days old
http://funshare.netatronix.com/update3.wmv

The next updated life of a baby hamster.
They are now 17 days old.
There are 14 babies in this litter. All now reared and safe, mum is checking on the sleeping babes. I am now about to wake them for their feeding time. Being a large litter it is better to spread the food on the floor so as they can all get at it. Even if it is put in dishes mum takes it out and puts it in the store, for the babies to help them selves.
At this stage now I start to feed them high protein, and high fibre diets.
As mums milk is not sufficient to feed them all now, although they are still suckling.
They will suckle for about another 3-4 days, then they will be weaned from mum’s milk.
They rummage around for their own food now. The eyes have been open for about 3 days.
In the next update they will be ready for leaving mum, they will grow very rapid now from here on.


Video 4 Final update 24 days
http://funshare.netatronix.com/babylifeupdate4.wmv

The final update on the life of a baby hamster.
The babies are now 24 days old, they are weaned of mum’s milk now at this stage. They will leave mum in 3 days time, separated into their own same sex cages.
Here they will stay for another week, and then onto their new homes.
In another 4 weeks they start to mature into adulthood. In 12 week they are considered adults.
It looks as though mum will be relived to get her own cage back, and to be on her own once again.
Who wouldn't after looking after this crowd of hooligans, .
This is the best time in the life of the baby, so sweet, and to know that they have all been reared healthy, safe and sound. Theses little bouncing balls of fur are now ready to bring a little happiness into someone’s life.

Mum looking happy now she is back in her own cage