Science

a m s ters
H

by Diana Noonan
 H a m s te rs
by Diana Noonan

Cover Ardea Photo Library; 3 Telescope; 45 Alamy Images; 6 FLPA Foto Natura Stock/FLPA;
7 Alamy Images; 8 Ardea Photo Library; 9 Photolibrary.com/OSF; 1011 Dorling Kindersley
Images; 12 Alamy Images; 13 Dorling Kindersley Images; 14 Photolibrary.com

Copyright by Harcourt, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be addressed to School
Permissions and Copyrights, Harcourt, Inc., 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, Florida 32887-6777.
Fax: 407-345-2418.

HARCOURT and the Harcourt Logo are trademarks of Harcourt, Inc., registered in the United States
of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Printed in Mexico

ISBN 10: 0-15-351412-4

ISBN 13: 978-0-15-351412-8

Ordering Options
ISBN 10: 0-15-351212-1 (Grade 2 Advanced Collection)
ISBN 13: 978-0-15-351212-4 (Grade 2 Advanced Collection)
ISBN 10: 0-15-358047-X (package of 5)
ISBN 13: 978-0-15-358047-5 (package of 5)

If you have received these materials as examination copies free of charge, Harcourt School
Publishers retains title to the materials and they may not be resold. Resale of examination copies
is strictly prohibited and is illegal.

Possession of this publication in print format does not entitle users to convert this publication, or
any portion of it, into electronic format.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 050 15 14 13 12 11 10 09 08 07 06
 What Is My New Pet?
Last weekend, I went to the pet
store with my dad to get my new pet
hamster. I chose a male hamster that
looked bright and active. He was
running around his cage. He had
brown and white fur and a pink nose.
3

RXENL08CRD2X_AL_04_TXT.indd 3 1/16/08 8:49:14 AM

 What Are Hamsters?
Hamsters are rodents like mice,
squirrels, and gophers. There are
many kinds and colors of hamsters.
Hamsters make terrific pets. They
are small, and they are fun to watch.

RXENL08CRD2X_AL_04_TXT.indd 4 1/16/08 8:52:24 AM

Where Does
My Hamster Live?
I keep my hamster in a special
wire cage. The bars of the cage are
close together so that he cant escape
through them. Hamsters can use the
bars in their cages for climbing.

5
 On the floor of the cage, I
put a deep layer of special wood
shavings. I bought them at the pet
store. Hamsters like to burrow, so
the shavings need to be deep
enough for them to dig into.

6
 What Does
My Hamster Eat?
My hamster eats mostly seeds.
He also likes to nibble on fresh fruit
and vegetables. Hamsters need fresh
water to drink. My hamster has a
special bottle for his water. He can
drink from it whenever he wants.

RXENL08CRD2X_AL_04_TXT.indd 7 1/16/08 8:54:43 AM

 Sugar is not good for my hamster.
Too much sugar can make a hamster
sick. My hamster eats healthy food.

8
 What Does
My Hamster Need?
My hamster needs a nesting box
in his cage, full of soft, clean tissue.
When he wants to sleep, he goes
into the box. He needs exercise, so
he has a wheel he runs in just like
I have a bicycle. He runs a lot.

RXENL08CRD2X_AL_04_TXT.indd 9 1/16/08 8:56:59 AM

What Do I Do
for My Hamster ?
Every week, I clean out my
hamsters cage and fill it with fresh
wood shavings. I wash out the water
bottle every week also.

10
 Every month, I clean out my
hamsters nesting box. I take old
pieces of food out of the box and
put fresh tissues inside.

11
What Do I Do
with My Hamster ?
When I pick up my hamster, I cup
him in the palm of my hand. I hold
my other hand gently over his back
so that he cannot jump away and
hurt himself by falling.

12
 I sit down when I hold my hamster.
I hold him in my hands or on my lap.

13
 My hamster likes me to talk
quietly to him. Sometimes I feed him
little treats. He is a great pet!

14
 Think Critically
1. Name four different types of rodents.
2. What are the most important things that need
to be done for pet hamsters?

3. What are some facts about hamsters that

you learned from this book?

4. What things would make it easy for a hamster

to escape from a cage?

5. Do you think a hamster would make a good

pet? Why or why not?

Science
Write the Facts Write five facts about hamsters that were
included in this book. Underneath draw a picture of a hamster.

School-Home Connection Ask a friend or family

member what they know about hamsters. Share what
you have learned about hamsters. Then talk about pets
people are able to keep at home.

Word Count: 406

RXENL08CRD2X_AL_04_TXT.indd 15 1/16/08 8:59:08 AM