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Show All about today's hamsters Animal loving people are always on the lookout for interesting and unusual pets. Thus it is that a creature like the hamster, almost unknown before 1930, has come to be widely knows as a desirable pet. Though known by several names, "hamster" or "golden hamster" seems most popular. The name hamster is derived from the German word "hamstern", to hoard, and this is aptly applied, describing one of their chief characteristics, that of storing up extra food in a favorite spot in excess of their immediate needs. At fust glance hamsters appear rather like minature bears. They have soft fur, and very loose skin. Their eyes are bright and bold but their eyesight is not keen. They have a stub of a tail ; one-quarter of an inch long. Han are clean, completely lacking odo are not prone to external parasites as fleas. A most unusual feature of hami setting them apart from most animals, is the cheek pouch. It is for gathering food and litter for 1 or for preparing the nest litter, pouches extend from the cheeks t shoulders and can contain food ap imately equal to one-half the weight. Hamsters make great pets whic fun for the whole family. Once t this funny little ball of fur no b than your hand turns into a deligh amusing companion who likes do better in this world than to be pe: , . . . f v- 1 0 1 -" 'WHO'S DOWN THERE,' says a curious brown and whit, hamster before falling oft the edge of a table into it master' hand. |