How long do they live?

[TracyMM]

Hi, back to the original question on longevity, the information contained in these threads could form the basis of a very useful little study on the longevity of pet hamsters, considering species and gender, if anyone is interested or knows anyone who researches into this kind of thing (I am not imperiously delegating but it's not my area, and moreover it's statistical, not my thing.)

I remember that great comparison between cage sizes that I think LeedsGirl (I think) did - it could be shown quite simply on that kind of graph.

If more information were gathered, maybe from this and other forums, then together it might be used to contextualise the existing information we have on what is the average life span of hamsters. An average is just that - I am sure that trends change over time, and it may be that now the average is changed -or not. And if the trend is changing -why? And likewise if it is not -why? That's why a little survey out of this selection of threads could be really useful to breeders/those involved in animal welfare, etc. It might contradict or support existing information, but either way I think it might be valuable.

As I said, it's not my field. I need all my fingers and toes to count to 20, and I am useless on a computer (re the graphics).

Just an idea....

[TracyMM]

By the way, I just looked at how many people had viewed this thread - over 11,500 so far. That's a lot of people looking, most of whom will have had, and currently have, at least one hamster. So if everyone with hamsters contributed, that's a lot of information.

By the way, I don't in any way mean to sound clinical about this. I have a son who was absolutely devastated when his first hamster died in December, and it upset me too, so I do know that it is a very sensitive subject for those of us who have lost our beloved pets. I trust that no-one is offended by this suggestion.

[LawaRawr]

Millie- syrian,pet shop hamster, almost 3 years old, passed away from old age

George- syrian, pet shop hamster (got given him for free at the pet shop because he was missing his toes on his back foot), about 3 and a half, passed away from a stroke

Snowy - syrian, rescue hamster, age unknown but i had her for about 3 years and she had 5 owners before me so i would say about 3 and a half - 4 years old, got put to sleep at the vets due to a stroke and she was to weak to recover.

[souffle]

I do still keep tracks on this thread along with Pophammy. Pophammy did some analysis a while back but she is very busy at the moment with final A levels and I don't want to bother her with it.
If anyone would like to use the info and analyse it statistically we could get together and write it up. I am pretty poor at stats though so not much help!

[lou1990lou]

Gem - syrian - female - 0 litter - approx 4 months - cheek cancer
Olive - syrian - female - 0 litter - approx 7 months -Intestinal blokage we believe.

A friends ...
Hammy - syrian - male - 0 litter (:P) - approx 2.5 years - old age.

All from p@H

[njwilde]

Tracey, I think that is an excellent idea. Especially as I always wondered whether the environment, initial breeder etc had an impact on the age. Mine, apart from 1 ill one were all pretty similar around 2 years but it seems to vary a lot over here and I had a friend who had a 4 year old hamster, too. I am always very upset when the little ones go away and still am upset about teh last one in February and I know that I am not the only one on the forum who suffers so it would be great to explore teh topic a bit more and help other people.

Unless it's something that someone else wants to have done asap, I can offer myself to do the statistics, I m a finance researcher and therefore used to numbers and statistics and I like it Im away In August but have a lot of time in September so we could try and gather soem more info before then and more questions, as in what people think is relevant to ask, such as how much time spent with the hammies, cage size, diet, home breeding/pet shop etc. that woudl be great.

[minkymagicmouse]

my hamsters in the past a girl got to 6 years she was a syrian, i had the rest at least 5 years the least of years i had mine for were 4 years one was 5 years and had a suvere prolaps from her bottom and wouldnt go to the rainbow bridge she was so stubern and so badly wanted to stay she took 2 injections and 3 gas boxes, mine have always lived years i dont know quite how,
but the last one i had at mums when i moved i wasnt alowed to bring her and with in a month of me going she passed away, yet she was a healthy happy sweety before,

any mu young sweet little monkey minky defied the odds from a fall were he jumped and wet tail and prolaps and is still hear happy and being a monkey as allways hes a young boy he will be 3 months on the 14th july,

[Iluvhamsters]

Treacle - Female Syrian, not bred from - pet shop bought - died 1yr 9months, old age.

I also remember a Russian Hamster I had who was 4 years old when he died, he was a pet shop hamster and possibly a hybrid.

[lucycp]

pebbles-male-syrian-1year- he got a chill when we were on holiday

Teddy-male-syrian- 2.5 years- back legs stopped working and passed shortly after

Fudeg-male-syrian-1 year 11 months- old age

[Silver]

Joe ~ Pure Winter White Peal Boy Bred By sue @ TufftyFluff. 2 Years 3 Months Died Of Old Age

Silver xxx