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Mouse-like hamster

Calomyscus bailwardi can be found in Central Asia countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, S. Russia, and Pakistan. They are widely distributed at elevations of between 400 and 3,500 meters. It builds nests within the crevices of rocks with fine grass and sheep wool. This type of habitation protects the mouse-like hamsters from extreme temperature variations, as well as against enemies.

Mouse-like hamster
Calomyscus bailwardi have a small, compact body with a head and body length of 8-10 cm and a tail length of 7-10 cm. The ears are conspicuously large and the vibrissae are long. This hamster has a pelage that is fine and soft in texture. The back is sandy brown or grayish brown and the limbs and belly are white. The tail has thick fur that is longer than that of the head and body. The tail is black on the dorsal surface and white on the ventral surface. The mouse-like hamster differs from other hamsters in that it lacks cheek pouches. Like other members of its family, the mouse-like hamster has a sciurognathous jaw, in which the angular process on the mandible arises in a line with the rest of the jaw.

Reproduction
The length of gestation period ranges from three to five weeks The breeding season is lengthy and some females have two litters per year. Reproduction generally begins in late March and end in early June. The female hamster only has three pairs of mammae, thus the litter size is small, with only two to five young. The newborn has no hair. However, 13 days after birth, when their eyes open, they have developed a gray pelage. Among the different types of hamsters, the mouse-like hamster is considered one of the slowest developing species because the coloration of the fur and size may not be fully developed until the animal is six months old.

Behavior
These mice are not highly social in the wild. Occasionally, some share favorable sleeping sites, and in captivity they may huddle together, perhaps to overcome their fear of the unfamiliar surroundings. Calomyscus bailwardi is active only at night during the summer time, but is also active in the autumn and winter.

Food Habits
Calomyscus bailwardi are herbivorous. They feed on the seeds of herbaceous plants and grasses. They also consume flowers and leaves. Since the mouse-like hamsters do not have cheek pouches, they are unable to carry large quantities of food back to their storage chambers.
In captivity they should be offered a complete diet of rodent lab blocks, and rat or mouse mix, with bits of fruit or veggies regularly. Cheerios or wheat bread are great treats, in small quantities. Do NOT feed chocolate, fried foods, salted foods, candy or junk food! They may enjoy crickets and mealworms if they are captive bred, never feed wild insects as they may carry parasites. Vitamins, like Nutri-Cal are a good addition to their diet, and added calcium during nursing and growth due to demands on their systems at those times, but take care not to overdo it. Water bottles should be used to proved constant, clean water. Ceramic or stoneware food dishes work well for keeping seeds or fresh foods off the floor, and a wire mesh hopper that allows them to eat the lab blocks through without extra waste.

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