The signs of a pregnant hamster mainly include the following aspects:
I. Behavioral Changes
1. Irritable Temper: A pregnant hamster may become more irritable than usual. It may be unwilling to accept being mounted by other hamsters and may even attack the male hamster.
2. Hoarding Food Behavior: During pregnancy, the hamster may hoard a large amount of food to prepare for the upcoming lactation period.
II. Physical Changes
1. Enlarged Abdomen: In the middle and late stages of pregnancy, the hamster's abdomen will gradually bulge, and its body may take on a pear shape, with the rear part being heavier and drooping, and the buttocks becoming noticeably larger. When touched, the abdomen of a pregnant hamster will be a bit harder than normal.
2. Nipple Changes: The nipples of a pregnant hamster will become more prominent. Usually, around one week of pregnancy, the nipples will start to enlarge, their color will darken, changing from a lighter color before to pink or dark red, and they will stand out more.
3. Weight Gain: Due to the growth and development of the fetuses, the hamster's weight will gradually increase.
III. Changes in Living Habits
1. Increased Appetite: A pregnant hamster needs to consume more nutrients to meet the growth and development requirements of the fetuses. Therefore, its appetite will significantly increase, and it may prefer to eat some nutritious substances, such as dried small fish, mealworms, etc.
2. Drowsiness and Reduced Activity: As pregnancy consumes energy, the hamster may become more drowsy, dislike excessive exercise, and choose to rest more often.
3. Enhanced Nest-building Behavior: Hamsters have a strong instinct to build nests, and this instinct will become more pronounced after pregnancy. It will start to collect various soft materials, such as cotton, paper scraps, hay, etc., to build a comfortable "delivery room".
IV. Other Characteristics
1. Increased Water Intake: The water intake of a hamster will also increase during pregnancy.
2. Becoming More Alert: In the later stage of pregnancy, the hamster may become more alert, be very sensitive to changes in the surrounding environment, and show strong defensiveness towards the approach of other animals or humans.
In conclusion, the signs of a pregnant hamster include behavioral changes, physical changes, changes in living habits, and some other characteristics. If you suspect that a hamster is pregnant, it is best to provide it with a quiet, comfortable, and safe environment and closely observe its condition. At the same time, pay attention to reasonable feeding to avoid obesity or other health problems caused by overfeeding.