The European Wild Hamster

Pebbles82 · 02-02-2020, 04:02 AM

There's a BBC video of it here and some photos. 10" long apparently and black bellied. It's been designated endangered in Alsace in France and a program of breeding and crop growing going on there to try and save it from becoming extinct. In Germany they have programmes as well I think.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07vfb4b

https://www.boredpanda.com/wild-euro...mpaign=organic

Coco61 · 02-02-2020, 05:51 AM

I saw the original programme on the bbc and this clip shows the best bits. The lure of the candle wax in the red jar is the fat content for the winter ahead. The clip has edited out what happened when two hamsters encountered each other in the same graveyard (in Vienna) and had a dispute over territory!
The photos are really interesting showing the lengths they can go to to gather food in.

Pebbles82 · 02-02-2020, 06:39 AM

I am not sure how I missed that programme! Might try and find it on iplayer.

I can't find a clip of that but there's a photo of it here

https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/...sters-20931909

Ria P · 02-02-2020, 07:43 AM

I also saw the original programme and someone had even pointed it out on this forum. How could you have missed it Serendipity!

I am from Bavaria, used to holiday in Austria and have been to Vienna but have never seen a European Hamster!! I had a guinea pig who ignored me because he loved my mother. Should have taken an interest in hamsters decades ago. Grrr.

Try and find this programmes. It's short but fab. Especially the opening scene and sound track.

Dalis_mum · 02-02-2020, 08:08 AM

Hehehe. That reminds me of the late Eddie at Halloween. He'd climb inside his pumpkin, fill his pouches but wouldn't fit back out the hole. I used to have to rescue him through the lid. Lol

Coco61 · 02-02-2020, 09:13 AM

It is the episode on Europe in the David Attenborough series. Fascinating.
It includes the Barbary Apes in Gibraltar and I think wolves in Italy.

Vierville · 02-02-2020, 10:25 AM

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This is the sign that the French government puts up in areas where European Wild Hamsters live advising people that they are a protected species and must not be disturbed.

Very sweet.

Ithuviel · 02-03-2020, 01:14 AM

Wonderful hamsters. i will also look online for the series. Do you guys know which episode is that?

Vierville · 02-03-2020, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ithuviel

Wonderful hamsters. i will also look online for the series. Do you guys know which episode is that?

I believe it is Series 1 Episode 5.

Ria P · 02-03-2020, 01:45 AM

Yes, Series 1 Episode 5 Europe