All about the most adorable pet – Black bear hamster

Everybody loves hamsters. How can you not? They are such adorable sweet pets. If you know about hamsters, you may know that there are many different breeds of hamsters worldwide. Today we are going to discuss one such special type of hamster called black bear hamster. These guys are so unique and have the world debating over if they are a legit breed or not. So how about we get to know more about them? 

This guide will help you learn some interesting black bear hamster facts. When you learn about them you will definitely want to adopt one. If you do, this guide got you covered on that too. We will tell you how to raise a black bear hamster, their temperament and how to tame them. So go ahead and scroll through.

What are black bear hamsters? 

Well, the black bear hamster is not an officially recognized hamster breed.

There is some debate on this topic. Some hamster fans argue the black bear is a full subtype of the Syrian hamster breed. On the flip side, others oppose that the black bear is a simple gene mutation. According to them, black bears are just an offshoot from the existing Teddy Bear Syrian hamster breed. Black bear hamster names include black bear Syrian hamster or European black bear hamster. Sometimes people refer to them as teddy bear hamsters. 

What kind of hamster is a black bear hamster?

Black bear hampster got discovered as a breed variation in 1985. As we mentioned earlier, black bears are not a legitimate breed. They got their name because of the similarities between their appearance (black fur and white markings, thick coat) and the appearance of giant black bears. 

On that note, let us get to know about black bear hamsters’ appearance. 

Black bear hamsters have black fur that typically covers their entire body. They also have a couple of white marks appearing near their belly, paws, and face. Not all black bears have black fur, though. Instead, some black bear hamsters have dark brown hair.

They also have black eyes and ears, and their paws, nose, and tail are pink. Their coat can either be long-haired or satin or sometimes rex. Satin coats are glossy and are more prominent on light-colored hair than black fur. On the other hand, rex coats are wavy or curly. Interestingly, even their whiskers are curly or wavy with rex coats.

Black bears can be between five and six inches long when they reach adult size. You could say black bears are comparatively larger than the standard Syrian breed size. On average, Black bear hamsters stand about seven inches tall and weigh four and six ounces.

Black Bear hamsters are a particular type of Syrian hamster. 

These guys are a type of Teddy Bear. This breed comes in different colored coats and patterns. Black and white teddy bear hamsters are becoming more and more popular.

baby black bear hamster,

Baby black hair hamsters are the most adorable. They are born without any fur and with their eyes and ears closed. However, they will have both their front incisor teeth. Usually, these babies rely on their mums until three weeks old. However, you can start introducing softened food moistened with water from around ten days old. 

How big does a bear hamster get?

Black bear hamsters can grow up to 6-7 inches in length. They are almost double the size of a typical dwarf hamster. Another way to size it on average is the size of your hand. 

black bear hamster life span, 

How long do black bear hamsters live? Usually, they have a maximum life span of five to six years. However, the average is between two and three years. Note that the smaller the hamster, the shorter its life span. As black bear hamsters are a large breed, they can live longer than a small-sized hamster.

Always remember that the healthier you keep your hamster, the longer it is likely to live.

Are black bear hamsters friendly?

These guys are the gentle giants of the hamster kingdom. People believe that Black Bear hamsters have a sweet and gentle temperament compared to most other species of hamsters. Other than that, people believe that Black Bear hamsters seem to tolerate handling stressful situations much better than other hamsters.

As we mentioned earlier, Black Bear hamsters are more relaxed than some other species of hamsters. So they are prone to obesity. That is why they require a bit more exercise to prevent obesity. You can help the pet be more active by placing an exercise wheel with a wide diameter in your Black Bear hamster’s cage. Also, you can buy a plastic exercise ball that will help your pet exercise while outside of their cage. Also, because of their large size and gentle temperament, you can get the pet out of the cage for extended periods.

You can get a small leash and harness for taking your Black Bear hamster out of its cage. Unlike most other hamsters, these guys are less likely to stress when you handle them. As they do not get stressed much, it is safe to assume that they are less likely to bite you. Black bear hamsters’ gentle nature makes them a friendly hamster species and a fantastic choice for a pet. They are affectionate, social, sweet, and great pets for adults and small children.

Black bear hamster for sale

Buying a black bear hamster does not cost you much money. You can bring a hamster home for free if you choose to adopt. However, if you prefer to buy your black bear hamster from a breeder or a pet store, it will cost you about $20. 

You could say purchasing a black bear hamster does not cost much money. However, if you include the price of the paraphernalia, food, and bedding to care for the pet, it can be pretty expensive. That is why you should make sure that you have enough money to buy the essentials. Also, make sure to carefully consider if you have the budget to maintain a pet in the long run.  

Black bear hamster cages

As we mentioned earlier, black bear hamsters are giant compared to other hamster species. So the usual small hamster cages will not be spacious enough for the black bear. You can instead purchase a cell that is at least 24” x12” x12.” 

Make sure it has bar spacing less than half an inch. The cage should also have more than 1,000 sq. cm of usable floor space.

How do you tame a black bear hamster? 

You already know that black bear hamsters are pretty gentle. You can tame them with regular, gentle handling. However, to build up complete trust, there are specific steps you should follow. It will minimize stress and anxiety and reduce the risk of biting your hand. Try not to rush into the taming process. 

When the hamster first comes to your home, it will be a brand new place for it. Think of it like how you would feel when you go to a completely unfamiliar place. You would be nervous and feel lost. Of course, you will need time to adjust to the new surroundings. It is the same case with your pet as well. It is entirely unfamiliar with your home and you. We know that it is tempting to hold your pet immediately after purchasing it. However, the hamster can be scared at first.  

So what you can do to help your pet is give it time. Let your new pet be on its own for two days in its new cage to explore independently. Let the pet relax and adapt to its new home.  

After a few days, your black bear hamster will feel more comfortable. At this point, you can start to interact with it by offering them treats through the bars of its cage. As they begin to take the treats from your fingers, you can slowly start to place your hand inside their cage to offer them off your palms.

Your pet will slowly feel comfortable enough to reach you on their own. 

Then you can start holding them…

Of course, carrying the hamster for the very first time may feel a bit nerve-wracking. If you get nervous, the pet will likely sense it. It can then make the pet feel nervous itself and cause it to jump out and run. So it is better to take your pet to a secure play area like a playpen. Also, let your hamster run on your hands as much as it wants. Just remember, however, that hamsters are incredibly skillful and can move at quite a speed when they want to.

Now, when you carry them, remember never to grab at them. That is because this is the way predators attack their prey in the wild. So, what you do is hold them gently into your hands using a cupping motion. Never squeeze it if it tries to jump away from you. Other than that, remember to always wash your hands before picking up your pet.

The process may seem like a lot, but once you and your pet get used to each other’s company, it will be fine. 

Remember that each black bear hamster is likely to be different. On that note, there is no specific length of time that the taming process will take. So remember to be patient and build up a good bond.

Teddy bear hamsters care

These guys do not require a lot of care. You have to offer the right food, maintain a proper feeding schedule, and clean cage accessories. Other than that, try and spend time with it daily. Also, the pet usually sheds more than other breeds, so brush the hair weekly. 

Black bear hamsters, like every hamster, need a balanced, nutritious diet. You can feed them grasses, seeds, veggies, and fruit daily. Also, you can offer the pet pre-packaged seed mix. Ensure that the mixture contains enough protein, and the seeds come with husks removed. Do not let the pet have the seed husks as they can hurt its cheek linings.

You can offer hamster veggies like celery, broccoli, or bell peppers. Try to avoid food with high moisture content. Especially foods like cucumbers and lettuce can cause too much defecation or diarrhea. 

You can offer a small amount when you feed your black bear hamster. Usually, hamsters store extra food in their cheeks. That way, they can stash it and hoard it for later. It is better to discourage hoarding because it can attract worms, flies, insects, and mold. Not only will it cause a mess, but it will put your hamster’s health in line as well.

Remember…

Remember to offer clean water to your black bear hamster every day. We recommend using filtered water as it is more hygienic. Instead of using a water bowl, use a bottle with a sipper to offer water. That is because your hamster may end up dragging food or bedding into a water bowl and contaminating it. That is why bottles are a much better option. Also, remember to wash the water bottle daily by brushing it. 

Unfortunately, Black bear hamsters are naturally prone to obesity. So they need a lot of exercise to prevent it. You can encourage the pet to exercise by adding an exercise wheel inside the cage. Other than that, add

 running balls outside the cell. Also, you can let your pet run in a hamster-proof room. The idea is to keep the pet be active as much as possible.

What else can you add to your pet’s cage?

Well, we cannot forget about another important thing. You may know that all hamsters have an instinct to chew. The same goes for black bear hamsters as well. If you do not give them something healthy to chew on, they might start chewing the bars in their cage. So remember to offer your hamster some chewing sticks. Other than that, you can get your pet hay and chewy toys as well.

Now you have the essentials for your pet. Apart from that, another item you can get is a carrier for your pet.

Of course, a carrier may not be on top of your list to buy for your pet. However, it is better to have something to carry your hamster in safely. It comes in handy whenever you need to take your pet out of the house, especially when you go to the vet. You will be able to buy a hamster carrier for around $10-$12 at your local pet store,

Summary

Now you know everything about black bear hamsters. What do you think of them? Of course, you want to adopt one, right? Indeed these black hamsters are fantastic pets for any hamster lover. You may want to have one as your pet. If you wish to own one, remember to care for them properly. Also, it is essential to do your research before adopting one. It can be helpful to you and also the new pet to adjust as well.

It is not difficult to care for black bear hamsters. They generally require only basic needs like food, water, and shelter. However, make sure to clean the pet’s cage regularly. Also, offer them chews and toys to stimulate them mentally and physically. Other than that, show your hamster love, care, and affection, and it will be a wonderful pet for you.