102 replies to this topic

[feralwallflower]

Mules still aren't a subspecies. They are a sterile hybrid, we just happen to have a name for the cross. Same as a Liger.

Messybeast has a lot of great genetic info on hybridization and genetics if you feel like poking through the site.
http://messybeast.com/genetics/hybrid-cats.htm

[~Black Bitter Tea~]

Mules still aren't a subspecies. They are a sterile hybrid, we just happen to have a name for the cross. Same as a Liger.

Messybeast has a lot of great genetic info on hybridization and genetics if you feel like poking through the site.
http://messybeast.com/genetics/hybrid-cats.htm

Thanks. I wasn't quite sure. So a new species of hamster would have to be shaped by nature and not created by man... Interesting. 

[CarlaVan]

No, They would only breed with the species they are, Also I think almost every species of hamsters live in different regions so they would never have to come in contact they are just like how a Lion and a Tiger would never breed in the wild, it's because they were Forced, To breed.

[doyouknowdewae]

so u can't breed a teddy bear hamster and a panda hamster cause i want to have cute babys but maybe cross breeding is dangerous

[Hera the Hamster]

so u can't breed a teddy bear hamster and a panda hamster cause i want to have cute babys but maybe cross breeding is dangerous

First of all teddy bear hamsters and panda hamsters are the same-their both Syrian hamsters.

Pls don't backyard breed. It's dangerous and can lead to the mother,s and the pups death. Don't do it.

[Sarahs~Hamsters]

so u can't breed a teddy bear hamster and a panda hamster cause i want to have cute babys but maybe cross breeding is dangerous

No u cannot.

Breeding is more than having cute babies, u have to be responsible, knowledgable and proffesional, u also have to be aware of the consequences and problems and well as the vet funds and costs. So definitely not, u cannot just breed two hamsters u like to get 'cute babies'. Will they still be cute when they are older and start fighting eachother? When one of them gets sick and needs very expensive vet bills? Will that still be cute when if u don't separate them at the right age and they start to breed with eachother and then u are stuck with lots and lots of babies, more than u can care for? I'm sorry if Im coming off rude, this post just upset me :(

Edited by ♥SarahsAnimals♥, 22 February 2018 - 01:32 PM.

[SoftSummerPeach]

Very interesting and informative read! I think my hamster, Stripe, must be either a Campbell or a mixed breed. He's really unhealthy, but I'm doing what I can to give him a happy and healthy life! 

 

Though, I wanted to clarify; since it seems to be widely accepted that most pet store WW and Campbells are to some extent mixed (not purebred, i.e. 1/8th WW - 7/8ths Campbell or some such combination), wouldn't that mean that certainly, some mixed breeds are able to reproduce? I'm confused because a lot of people are saying that 100% of mixed hamsters are sterile, while a lot of people are also saying that almost no winter whites are purebred.

 

If the mixed hamsters are always sterile, than all of the phodopus hamsters would either be purebred or 50/50 with no in-between. 

 

I have ZERO intention to breed or mix breed, but I want to know for the sake of my hamsters and to better understand their health.

[nebit]

Campbell/WW hybrids are often fertile. It's a common misconception that all hybrids are infertile. there are many different mechanisms that means such species do not usually hybridize in the wild, but can still lead to fertile offspring when it does happen. The conditions of captivity mean that none of these stop gaps is as effective at preventing their spread, thus in captivity, hybrids and their offspring are common.

[Pookie&Biscuit]

thanks that's very educational and intresting

[babyhamz]

Just to add the scientific aspect. Animals have post-zygotic and pre-zygotic barriers that prevent them from carrying through with a pregnancy. Pre-zygotic barriers include things like: A cat and a dog of different genders simply are not sexually appealed to one another, two species of finches breed in different seasons, species of plants breed in different time frames, and different species having genital that are too big/small or don't fit one another..if you get what I mean. Post-zygotic barriers mean the animals do breed, but the sperm and egg do not properly attach for whatever reasons. This could mean the cross-species hamsters may mate, but the pregnancy never occurs, because for example: the uterus may maintain a temperature unreasonable for the sperm, the DNA may not be able to sequence properly, etc. SO. Mother nature has it's laws on breeding, which is why we don't have ligers, and cat-dog's everywhere. As far as mule's go, and exceptions like that, the DNA sequence causes them to have permanent zygotic barriers which prevent them from being fertile period. As far as cruelty, I think it's just more of a lack of basic education and respect for mother nature's rules. As cool as it would be, you can't breed a sunflower with an orchid, and create some bomb sub-species. Why? Because we have these barriers. So even if someone left two different species to breed, it's unlikely it would happen because of this, but would leave the animals in stress etc, because they still may attempt to breed, but post-zygotic barriers would interrupt conception. And as stated, you risk creating "mules" or mutated forms of litters, which can have a variation of issues. That's my educational bit! lol

Well said!

[hannaomar]

Generally it's illegal to breed hamsters without a license with the purpose of selling them.

If you do want to breed hamsters for your own or giving them to your friends, it is recommended that a female hamster should not give birth more than once in their lifetime because it may cause serious health issues and is very stressful in general.

[lil BIG dwarf]

 

Generally it's illegal to breed hamsters without a license with the purpose of selling them.

If you do want to breed hamsters for your own or giving them to your friends, it is recommended that a female hamster should not give birth more than once in their lifetime because it may cause serious health issues and is very stressful in general.

 

 

To anyone reading this comment or the one above, this person is a bot and spammer just looking to post links.

 

This information is not true. You do not need a license, and either way breeding hamsters is dangerous. Unless you have done years of research, can take on over 10 children, are prepared for multiple deaths, are ready to not even break even with the money you make, are willing to be ethical, have a large vet fund for each hamster, and other things that can prove to be expensive and hard, do not breed.  And most of all, go to a reliable mentor or other source who is a good breeder, and do NOT get information from the internet or just breed for fun. It is bringing living animals in to the world, and is not to be taken lightly. 

[Hamster211210]

Amazing topic! It's really sad that nowadays most Campbells and winter whites are not purebred