as per Chap. 50 should include only vegetables and rolled oats, and should be fed sparingly, daily. Wean young at 19 to 20 days and continue low protein diet. At 21 days, such young may weigh ½ to ¾ oz., resemble the medium size mouse and continue so for some time. Such runt-like young make inferior breeders.
ANIMAL LURES: The lateral pouches in the lower vagina of the breeding age female contain quantities of constantly forming cornifled excretion, which may be taken in a routine manner, as vaginal wipings, on small pieces of cotton about the size of a pea and placed in small capsules to be sold as, or used as or in preparation of, baits for foxes, mink and other animals. Tweezers are advised for handling cotton while taking wipings and inserting same into capsules. Nest culls and discarded adults, or parts of same, make good trapping baits for flesh-eating animals.
38. Other Uses
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: Possibly the most useful work hamsters may perform outside the laboratories is that of instruction in the processes of life by their rapid reproduction and maturity of offspring. Children are fascinated by the unique habits of Holy Land Hamsters, charming cage pets. Males climb upon one’s hands and arms as permitted, and several males of about the same age may coneguially occupy the same cage or pen together. Advanced educational uses are presented in Part VI. Also, see the illustrated folder, “School Hamsters,” by the author of this book.
TAXIDERMISTS: Golden Hamsters are convenient specimens for mountings. Curio stores, gift shops, importers, school supply houses, etc., sell them singly and in family groups. A good field for the alert taxidermist.
HOME, SCHOOL, PARK AND ZOO SIMULATION OF NATIVE LIFE: An outdoor summer cage constructed of hardware cloth on 3 by 3, 6 by 6, or 12 by 12 foot floor plan will accommodate from 10 to 50 male hamsters, which if matured together may live thus In a congenial manner in such space. 12 by 12 foot cages may well be partitioned to accommodate a mother hamster with litter in one side, and a male group in the other. Cage should be on a well-drained spot, sheltered by trees furnishing adequate shade from direct sunlight during the heat of the day. A small, heavily constructed box, or a small pile of large rocks, In a corner for nesting quarters . . . water container or shallow-edged pool... barberry, cacti, or rock garden plantings may precede use of the cage. . . a slanting forked limb from a dead tree, limb 3 to 5 inches in diameter, may be added. Such quarters are satisfactory anywhere in the United States during summer months, and year around south of the 35th parallel. If wire flooring (hdw. cl.) Is sunken 2 to 4 feet below ground level, animals will burrow and may exist In most regions less than 5,000 feet In elevation, from approximately the 40th parallel southward through the United States, indulging in broken hibernation during winter.
Young culls and older discards may be used for food for flesh-eating animals In parks and zoos, on fur farms, etc., also for flesh-eating snakes and birds.
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