Weeds as a predominant food source: a review of the diet of common hamsters Cricetus cricetus in farmlands and urban habitats

The endangered common hamster needs proteins: identifying diversified crop-based diets improving hibernation and reproductive success

Modern production-oriented farming has led to a decline in agricultural biodiversity. In Europe, one example of concern is the common hamster Cricetus cricetus, a hibernating rodent once largely distributed in farmlands and now listed as Critically Endangered. The decline of this species is tied to a significant decrease in hamsters' body mass at emergence from hibernation and in reproduction rate. Previous work has shown that monocultures of maize and wheat, which induce severe nutrient deficiencies, are a major cause of this phenomenon. To prevent such deficiencies, we tested in controlled conditions the effect of eight nutritive diets on hamsters' hibernation and reproduction. Diets were selected for their nutritional content and based on farmers' consultation. We tested three lipid-rich associations ('oat-sunflower', 'potato-sunflower' and 'buckwheat-sunflower'), two protein-rich associations ('maize-bean' and 'maize-pea') and an intermediate association ('wheat-soybean'), as well as 'sprouted wheat' and 'sugar beet'. Hamsters fed the lipid-rich diets showed a better body condition at the end of hibernation. However, a low reproductive success was recorded in all groups, with only 17% of reproductive trials leading to birth. Nonetheless, the amount of protein ingested by the mothers before reproduction increased birth probability whilst pups' survival to weaning was positively correlated to mothers' body condition. Overall, our results show that hamsters need a balanced diet to ensure their ability to reproduce. Indeed, low-protein diets led to lower birth rates and low-lipid diets led to reduced body condition and subsequently low pups' survival. The 'wheat-soybean' association best fulfilled hamsters' nutritional needs. Overall, these results highlight the need to improve current farming practices to provide a more fulfilling nutritional environment for common hamsters and the farmland fauna.

Morphometric parameters predict body fat proportions in common hamsters

Common hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) are hibernators that rely both on body fat reserves and food stores for the winter period. They face an ongoing population decline in most parts of their distribution and recently were classified as critically endangered. Knowledge on individual body fat proportions in this species is of particular interest for conservation, because it could contribute to better understand the high plasticity in overwintering strategies, overwinter mortality rates, individual variations in reproductive output, and give information on the animals’ health state. To calculate body fat proportions, we validated a method that can be applied in the field without the use of anesthesia. To develop this method, we first analyzed the body fat in carcasses of common hamsters using Soxhlet extractions and measured four morphometric parameters (body mass, head length, tibia length, foot length). The morphometric measurements were then integrated in a linear regression model to predict body fat proportions based on the measured values. The morphometric variables yielded an explained variance (adjusted R²) of 96.42% and body fat proportions were predicted with a mean absolute error of 1.27 ± 0.11% from measured values. We applied the model to predict body fat for available field data, which consistently produced reliable values. By measuring the four morphometric parameters and following the provided instructions, body fat proportions can be reliably and noninvasively estimated in captive or free-ranging common hamsters. Furthermore, the method could be applicable to other rodents after species-specific validation.

Are All Conservation Measures for Endangered Species Legitimate? Lines of Thinking With the European Hamster

When dealing with the protection of an endangered species, it appears more and more important to address the ethical limits and the societal perception of the implemented conservation measures. This will be illustrated here through the example of conservation programs of the European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) in France. The main threats for this critically endangered rodent are the impoverishment and fragmentation of its habitat due to recent changes in agricultural practices and urbanization. Thus, the status of this species changed from harmful to endangered in only a few decades. This must lead to acceptance of the species by citizens and especially farmers paid to destroy this species until the 1990s while nowadays to protect it. To stem the decline, several measures have been taken through the last 20 years including population reinforcement, wild animal tracking, and implementation of suitable habitats. One can, therefore, discuss the efficiency of these measures and their integration in the entire socio-ecosystem. Population reinforcement and the questions that can arise from it will first be addressed. Secondly, in situ animal monitoring and implications of the methods used will be discussed. Third, we will deal with agricultural practices favorable to the species. Finally, we will highlight the links between European hamster conservation measures and wider problematics.

Seasonal Expression of Avian and Mammalian Daily Torpor and Hibernation: Not a Simple Summer-Winter Affair†

Daily torpor and hibernation (multiday torpor) are the most efficient means for energy conservation in endothermic birds and mammals and are used by many small species to deal with a number of challenges. These include seasonal adverse environmental conditions and low food/water availability, periods of high energetic demands, but also reduced foraging options because of high predation pressure. Because such challenges differ among regions, habitats and food consumed by animals, the seasonal expression of torpor also varies, but the seasonality of torpor is often not as clear-cut as is commonly assumed and differs between hibernators and daily heterotherms expressing daily torpor exclusively. Hibernation is found in mammals from all three subclasses from the arctic to the tropics, but is known for only one bird. Several hibernators can hibernate for an entire year or express torpor throughout the year (8% of species) and more hibernate from late summer to spring (14%). The most typical hibernation season is the cold season from fall to spring (48%), whereas hibernation is rarely restricted to winter (6%). In hibernators, torpor expression changes significantly with season, with strong seasonality mainly found in the sciurid and cricetid rodents, but seasonality is less pronounced in the marsupials, bats and dormice. Daily torpor is diverse in both mammals and birds, typically is not as seasonal as hibernation and torpor expression does not change significantly with season. Torpor in spring/summer has several selective advantages including: energy and water conservation, facilitation of reproduction or growth during development with limited resources, or minimisation of foraging and thus exposure to predators. When torpor is expressed in spring/summer it is usually not as deep and long as in winter, because of higher ambient temperatures, but also due to seasonal functional plasticity. Unlike many other species, subtropical nectarivorous blossom-bats and desert spiny mice use more frequent and pronounced torpor in summer than in winter, which is related to seasonal availability of nectar or water. Thus, seasonal use of torpor is complex and differs among species and habitats.