Most rodents are known for their long tail, from squirrels, rats and gerbils to the the field vole famous for having a very short tail.
The family friendly guinea pigs on the other hand, notoriously have no tail at all. Quite bizarrely, there’s often a lot of confusion between guinea pigs and hamsters, some people and articles confuse these 2 very distinct pets. It is an odd mistake to make, as basically guinea pigs look nothing like hamsters and behave in completely different ways.These animals come from completely different sides of the world, guinea pigs originating from South America. They don’t look remotely like each other, guinea pigs measuring between 8 – 12 ” (20 to 30cm) which is so much bigger than even the biggest Syrian hamster. They also present very different behaviour, guinea pigs are herbivore, do not hoard food, are active during the day, and are extremely vocal and sociable creatures.
This confusion and the difference between all these various rodents might explain why people and articles often wonder whether hamsters have tails or not. Let’s clear up this confusion for them:
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Do Hamsters have Tails
Many people do not know that these furry little creatures do have tails. It’s true – hamsters have short tails which are often hidden beneath their fur, making them difficult to spot unless you look closely!
It’s not comparable to the long tail you can see on rats or gerbils, it ‘s much shorter and less visible, a bit like a little stub.
Tails, short as they might be, are still one of the main characteristics of a hamster, even if they are less known that the signature cheek pouches and those cute little eyes and ears. If you ever sign in your hamster to participate in a hamster show, it’s worth noting that not having a tail will mean an immediate disqualification in that show.
There are theories believing that hamsters might have had longer tails long before they were domesticated, but evolution made them shorter due to the lack of use and need. Hamsters are naturally burrowers, not climbers. It means that not only do they do not need a tail to help them do any climbing, but a smaller tail will not get in the way of their activities, foraging and burrowing in their many tunnels.
Do hamsters use their little tails for balance? That is more than unlikely, the tails are far too short for this.
Do Syrian Hamsters have Tails
Syrian hamsters, the biggest of all the domesticated hamster species , have a very short tail that measure about 1/4 inch (6mm).
Tails are hairless. This make them a very useful tool to check on your hamster and some of the possible health conditions. Dry skin on the tail, for example might indicate skin disease, or dehydration in your hamster. In any case, you should always check with your vet if you spot something odd or unusual.
If you have a long hair Syrian, their tails are generally covered by their fur and can be difficult to spot, but when you look closely it’s there!
Do Dwarf Hamsters have Tails
By Dwarf Hamster, we include Roborovski (the smallest of all the hamsters), Russian Campbell’s Dwarf hamster, and Winter White (also known as Djungarian Hamster).
Dwarf hamsters do have tails, they are little fluffy little tail, a bit like a bunny tail.
Do Chinese Hamsters have Tails
Chinese Hamsters are often included in the Dwarf hamster group, but they show some distinctive features that makes them a species apart. They are not the most commonly found in pet shops or with breeders, so are not well known.
Chinese hamsters are very easily recognisable: they are very skinny and long, with an average size of 3-4 inches long. They are jokingly described as looking like a dwarf hamster crossed with a mouse. Their main feature is a long tail compared to all the other hamsters. That tail makes them the best climbers of all domestic species. Chinese hamsters will enjoy and make the most of added climbing toys in their enclosure, grapevine wood or safe ropes.
As they are quite long, they also need the same larger wheel as the Syrian.
What is Kinked Tail Gene
What is a kinked tail: not to be confused with the natural shortness of a hamster’s tail, kinked tails are caused by a genetic mutation. When born, their tails will look bent or have an odd shape due to this gene. It curls towards the back, rather than sticking straight out.
This is a common trait when breeding fancy or hybrid hamsters. It does not cause pain nor discomfort for the animal but it’s important to know that it can lead to serious spinal deformities in offsprings.
This is another reason why it’s not recommended to take hamster breeding as a hobby . Only buy from reputable and responsible breeders that are aware of the genetic issues related to certain traits. Breeders should be aware of this gene, as well as other health problems linked to breeding, in order to take all necessary measures in preventing them.
Kinked Tail and Grey Hamster
Grey hamsters can come from 3 different genes: silver grey, light/lethal grey, and dark grey.
Dark Grey Syrian are less common in North America. Dark grey is a recessive gene, and has been linked to kinked tails. Dark Grey pups are often much smaller than other colour pups.
Do Hamster Tails Grow as they get Older.
Hamster tails do not grow as they get older and will remain the same size for their entire life. This is because hamsters have vestigial tails which are made up of a cartilaginous structure rather than bone like other animals, meaning that it cannot grow in length. However, their fur may thicken over time or become more visible as the hamster gets older.
The hamster hind end will often change as the hamster gets old and lose body tone, getting to a more triangular shape.
Wet tail
Wet tail is a serious bacterial infection that hamsters can suffer from. It is a medical emergency with a 90% death rate.
Wet tail affect mainly baby Syrian hamsters up to 10 weeks- there’s a debate with people disagreeing if it affects hamsters as they grow older.
It is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in their intestines, and results in severe dehydration, and eventually death if left untreated. The most common symptom of wet tail is diarrhoea, often with streaks of blood. Every diarrhoea is not a symptome of wet tail, but is always present with wet tail. Other symptoms include lethargy, lack of appetite, and a sagging tail that is wetter than usual.
Treatment for wet tail usually consists of antibiotics and re-hydration fluids given by a vet. It’s important to take your hamster to the vet immediately if you suspect they have wet tail, as it can be fatal if left untreated.
To conclude about hamsters and their tails
Hamsters are special creatures with a variety of features and traits that make them unique. The tail is one such attribute, ranging from little fluffy tails for Dwarf to longer hairless tail of a Chinese hamster.
Understanding the nature of their tails, and subject like kinked tail, can help you better care for your hamster and recognize any potential health issues. Additionally, knowing about these differences between species will ensure you get the right type toys and boredom breakers for your pet. Ultimately, it is strongly discouraged to improvise as a breeder which requires a lot of knowledge and constant research, but it is important to understand what kind of hamster breed you adopt in order to provide optimal living conditions so they remain happy and healthy!
Hope this helps!