Hamster

Hamsters are small, stout-bodied rodents with short tails, small furry ears, short stocky legs and wide, fur-covered feet. Their fur is thick and silky, short or long, in colours such as black, grey, honey, white, brown, yellow and red.

The Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), also called the golden hamster, is the type most commonly kept as a pet. There are many Syrian varieties, including long-haired ones and different colours. The dwarf hamsters are smaller: those of the genus Phodopus, which includes Campbell's dwarf, winter white dwarf and Roborovski hamsters, have bodies about 5.5 to 10.5 cm long.

One of a hamster's distinguishing features is its elongated cheek pouches, which stretch back to the shoulders and carry food. When full, they can make the head look double or even triple its size.

Hamsters belong to the rodent subfamily Cricetinae, part of the broader family Cricetidae, which also includes voles and lemmings. The earliest hamsters appeared around 15 million years ago, probably in central or eastern Europe. The word hamster comes from German, and in German the verb hamstern means to hoard.

The Syrian hamster was first described scientifically in 1839, but it was not successfully bred and domesticated until 1939. All pet and laboratory Syrian hamsters appear to descend from a single brother and sister pair, captured near Aleppo in Syria in 1930 by the zoologist Israel Aharoni. They bred very successfully in Jerusalem, and later animals from that colony were exported to the United States, where Syrian hamsters became common pets. They were kept as pets there by at least 1942.

In the United Kingdom, zoologist Leonard Goodwin claimed most hamsters were descended from a colony he introduced for medical research during the Second World War.

Most hamsters are strictly solitary. Housed together, they can become stressed and may fight fiercely, sometimes fatally. Dwarf hamsters might tolerate siblings or same-sex companions if introduced young, but that is not guaranteed.

In the wild they are crepuscular, foraging at twilight. Pet hamsters tend to live a nocturnal life, waking around sundown to eat and exercise. All hamsters are excellent diggers and make burrows with nesting and food storage chambers. They hoard food in their cheek pouches.

Hamsters have poor eyesight, being nearsighted and colourblind, but they sense movement well. They rely on smell, using scent glands to mark territory and leave scent trails. They hear high-pitched sounds, including ultrasound, and can learn the sound of their food and their owner's voice. Pet Syrian hamsters do not hibernate.

Hamsters are very flexible, but their bones are somewhat fragile. They are extremely susceptible to rapid temperature changes, draughts, and extreme heat or cold. Their sharp incisors grow continuously throughout life, so they must be worn down.

Hamsters are hindgut fermenters and often eat their own droppings to recover nutrients.

Typical lifespans in captivity: Syrian hamsters live no more than two to three years. Campbell's and Djungarian (winter white) dwarf hamsters live about two to four years. Roborovski hamsters often reach three years.

This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.

What is the most popular pet hamster?

The Syrian, or golden, hamster is the type most commonly kept as a pet. Among dwarf hamsters, Campbell's is the most common.

How long do hamsters live?

Syrian hamsters typically live no more than two to three years in captivity. Campbell's and winter white dwarfs live about two to four years, and Roborovskis often reach three.

Can hamsters live together?

Most hamsters are strictly solitary and may fight, sometimes fatally. Some dwarf hamsters might tolerate siblings or same-sex partners introduced young, but this cannot be guaranteed.

When are hamsters awake?

Pet hamsters tend to be nocturnal, waking around sundown to feed and exercise. In the wild they are mainly active at twilight.

Do hamsters hibernate?

Wild Syrian hamsters can hibernate, usually for 2 to 3 days. When kept as house pets, Syrian hamsters do not hibernate.

Do hamsters change colour in winter?

The winter white dwarf hamster's coat turns almost white in winter, when daylight hours decrease.

A group of hamsters is called a horde.

The winter white dwarf hamster is also known as the Djungarian hamster.

The Roborovski hamster is extremely small and fast.

Hamsters are born hairless and blind, in a nest the mother has prepared in advance.

Pet hamsters lose weight in autumn, in anticipation of winter, even when kept indoors.

Hamster shows exist where people gather to judge hamsters against one another.