*2.2.7 Hamsters*

Hamsters are rodents of order Rodentia belonging to the family Cricetidae and the best-known species of hamster is golden or Syrian hamster (*Mesocricetus auratus*). Physically, they are stout-bodied with distinguishing features that comprise elongated cheek pouches extending to their shoulders, used to carry food back to their burrows, as well as a short tail and fur-covered feet (**Figure 23**). Depending on the species, they have silky fur long or short, colored gray, black, white, honey, brown, red, yellow or a mix [43].

Hamsters are more crepuscular (primarily active during the twilight period), than nocturnal or diurnal and remain concealed during the day to escape being trapped by predators. Primarily, they feed on seeds, nuts, fruits and occasionally eat burrowing insects. They carry food in their spacious cheek pouches to their underground storage chambers [44].

Wild hamsters are omnivores and exist on a mixed diet of vegetation, grains and grasses as well as some insects. Strawberries are a perfectly healthy, safe snack for hamsters and can be a good part of their balanced diet. Hamsters can eat strawberries quite comfortably without hurting to themselves. The fruits have a great nutritional value for hamsters since it also provides them with many health benefits.

**Figure 23.** *Hamsters.*

### *2.2.8 Guinea pigs*

Guinea pig (*Cavia porcellus*), also known as the cavy in family Caviidae have a short and smooth coat that may be cream, white, reddish or chocolate brown, tan, black, or a combined pattern. There is a crest of longer hairs at the neck, but tail is not visible externally. It resembles to other cavies in having a robust body with large head and eyes, and short ears and limbs. There are four toes on the forefeet and three on the hind feet having hairless soles and short sharp claws (**Figure 24**). The guinea pig's natural diet is grass and their molars are particularly suited for grinding of plant matter [45, 46].

Herds of animals move together, eating grass or other vegetation, they do not build nest or burrow, but frequently seek shelter in the burrows of other animals. They are herbivores, feed on mainly grasses and greens, and most likely love to chew on some strawberries, and can eat strawberry's stems, tops and leaves. Similar to strawberries, strawberry stems might get even more excited to pest than the fruit itself. Leaves of strawberries are another great treat for cavy, as they contribute to facilitate a proper

**Figure 24.** *Guinea pig.*

digestion of the fruit. And it is needless to say that guinea pigs adore chewing on various green leaves just for fun. Additionally, guinea pig's health will utterly benefit from the high levels of compounds that strawberries contain [47, 48].

For protecting of strawberry plants from guinea pig, gardeners can build a wooden cage and install a wire mesh over the cage to avoid approaching animals from entering into this enclosure. Unfortunately, fencing would not always help to keep guinea pig and other rodents away from strawberry plants. It is because these culprits have the ability to dig underground holes and come up to garden for feeding on these mouthwatering berries.
