Hamster
Hamster Facts
| Size | 1.5-13 inches (4-34 cm) |
| Speed | Up to 3.7 mph (6 km/h) |
| Weight | 0.7-23 ounces (20-650 grams) |
| Lifespan | 2-3 years |
| Food | Seeds, grains, fruits |
| Predators | Owls, weasels, falcons, foxes, snakes |
| Distribution | Syria, Europe, Siberia, Mongolia, China |
| Habitat | Grassland, steppe, semi-desert, forest, mountains |
| Order | Rodents |
| Family | Cricetids |
| Scientific name | Cricetinae |
| Characteristics | Small rodents that feed on seeds |
Main Characteristics
Hamsters are small rodents closely related to mice. They have large, round ears, long whiskers, and a short stubby tail. They are particularly known for their cheek pouches, where they store food. Hamsters enjoy digging tunnels and burrows, and have a strong urge to move. The largest hamster is the European hamster, recognized as the most colorful mammal in Europe. Hamsters are also popular pets.
Species
There are 16 species of hamsters. The most common hamster is the Syrian hamster found in Syria and Turkey. Most of them are wild animals, such as the European hamster. Only Syrian hamsters and dwarf hamsters can be kept as pets.
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution
• Europe
The European hamster is the only hamster found in Central Europe, where it has become very rare. In Southern and Eastern Europe, you can find the Turkish hamster, and the Romanian hamster.
• Asia
In China, Russia, Mongolia, and other Asian countries, there are additional species such as the Campbell's dwarf hamster, the Djungarian hamster, the Roborovski hamster and the Chinese dwarf hamster.
• USA
In the USA, there are no wild hamsters, only pet hamsters.
Habitat
Hamsters prefer dry or semi-dry, open grasslands. The European hamster favors loess and clay soils. In Germany, it primarily lives in flat, fertile arable land. Occasionally, they can be found in urban areas, such as cemeteries and gardens. Some species also inhabit forests, steppes, semi-deserts, or even mountains.
Way of Life
All hamsters are passionate loners – unless they have young ones. They sleep during the day. At dusk and night, they become active. Most of their time is spent searching for food supplies and building their burrows.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
The largest hamster is the European hamster. It measures 8-13 inches (20-34 cm) in body length and weighs 7-23 ounces (200-650 grams). The smallest is the Roborovski dwarf hamster, which only grows to 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) long and weighs 0.7-0.8 ounces (20-24 grams).
Cheek Pouches
Hamsters have expandable cheek pouches in their mouths. They can stuff anything they don’t want or can’t eat at the moment into these pouches. The cheek pouches can expand to two or three times the size of their heads!
Fur and Color
The European hamster is easily recognized by its fur pattern. It has a yellow-brown back and a dark belly. It features white spots on its face, front legs, and sides. Pet hamsters have different colors. Syrian hamsters have black markings on the back of their heads and a white belly. Dwarf hamsters can be gray, brown, white, cream, spotted, and may have a stripe down their back.
Teeth
Like many rodents, hamsters' teeth never stop growing. They wear down as they gnaw.
European Hamster or Syrian Hamster – What’s the Difference?
European hamsters and Syrian hamsters can easily be confused due to their similar fur patterns. However, the European hamster has a black belly while the Syrian hamster has a light one. Additionally, the European hamster is twice as large and heavy.
Hamster or Mouse – What’s the Difference?
There’s a simple trick to instantly tell mice and hamsters apart at first glance: mice have long tails. Their tails are at least as long as their bodies. Hamsters do not. Their tails are at most half the length of their bodies and are often not visible at all.
Diet
Hamsters primarily feed on seeds. However, they also consume sprouts, roots, fruits, and leaves. The European hamster has a preference for grains, clover, potatoes, and corn. Not all species are strictly herbivorous, as some also eat animals like insects, lizards, and frogs.
Behavior
Digging
Hamsters love to dig and burrow.
Running
Hamsters love to run. They can cover up to 5 miles (8 km) in a single night. European hamsters, while searching for food for the winter, can even travel 7.5 miles (12 km) in one night. Considering how small these creatures are, that’s quite an impressive distance.
Scent Trails
• As Signposts
Hamsters are quite curious but also prioritize their safety. When they venture into unfamiliar areas, they rub their bodies against various objects. This is similar to the story of Hansel and Gretel – while the fairy tale characters leave breadcrumbs as a trail, hamsters leave a scent trail. Following this trail is easy for them, as they have a keen sense of smell.
• To Mark Their Territory
Hamsters occasionally leave small droppings behind. This is not a sign of uncleanliness. Instead, the animals use this method to mark their territory. Rubbing and snuggling against objects also helps them to 'stake out' their area.
What Do Hamsters Do in Winter?
Pet Hamsters
Hamsters kept as pets in a warm home do not hibernate. They remain active throughout the year.
European Hamster
In winter, the European hamster struggles to find food. As autumn approaches, it begins to search for supplies. With its cheek pouches, it can carry up to 11 pounds (5 kg) of food back to its burrow. Once safely stored, it seals the entrances with soil and retreats to the deepest chamber, where the ground remains frost-free. Its heart rate drops from 400 to four beats per minute. Additionally, its body temperature decreases from 89.6 to 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit (32 to 4 degrees Celsius). However, the European hamster does not enter true hibernation. It wakes up every few days to visit its food stash for a snack.
Hamster Burrow
Hamsters dig burrows to protect themselves from predators and to rest. These burrows can be 50-200 cm deep underground.
Entrances and Exits
There are several entrances and exits, including steep escape tunnels. These allow them to quickly escape into their burrow, which is crucial when a predator is nearby. The exit tends to be relatively flat.
Chambers
Hamsters like to make their burrows cozy. They create a snug sleeping chamber, which they line with grass, and a storage chamber that is filled to the ceiling. They even include a toilet in their burrow because they dislike it when their home smells bad!
Senses and Abilities
Sense of Smell
Hamsters possess an excellent sense of smell. It is their most important sense.
Sense of Sight
Hamsters have very poor eyesight. They are almost "blind as a bat". They can only see about 15 cm in front of them and can only detect movement as well as light and dark. Additionally, they are colorblind.
Sense of Hearing
Hamsters have a keen sense of hearing. Their large ears act like antennas, channeling all sounds directly into their ears.
Sense of Touch
Hamsters have long whiskers on their mouths. These function similarly to a blind person's cane, helping them navigate in the dark.
Life Epectancy
In the wild, hamsters live for 2-3 years. As pets, they can live up to 4 years. The oldest hamster on record lived to be 4.5 years old.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
The main natural enemies include weasels, birds of prey, and foxes. When threatened, they retreat to their burrows. If that’s not possible, they don’t surrender easily; instead, they attempt to intimidate the attacker. The European hamster can even become aggressive when it feels threatened. It growls and hisses, trying to bite its assailant with its sharp teeth.
Human Impact
The European hamster is considered the rarest hamster in the world and has been officially listed as critically endangered since 2020. In Germany, their population is estimated to be between 10,000 and 50,000. The reasons for this decline include habitat loss, climate change, light pollution, agriculture, and monocultures (farming with only one type of crop).
Hamsters as Pets
Hamsters do not make good pets. They are nocturnal rather than diurnal, making them difficult to observe. The Syiran hamster is considered the tamest, but it can bite if it feels threatened, especially when someone tries to pet it. Hamsters are not cuddly toys and prefer not to be handled. Often, hamsters are kept in cages that are far too small, which is torturous for them due to their strong need for movement.
Reproduction
Hamsters typically mate between April and May, depending on the warmth of their environment and their location. The gestation period lasts 18-20 days. The tiny babies are born hairless and blind. A litter can consist of 3-15 babies, which are nursed for three weeks. They reach adulthood after about four weeks.
Evolution and Origin
All pet hamsters are descended from the Syrian hamster.
The Hamster Is Related To:
- Gerbil
- Jerboa
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Badger
- Barn Owl
- Eurasian Jay
- Great Spotted Woodpecker
- Hedgehog
- Lynx
- Magpie
- Microbat
- Mouse
- Raccoon
- Raven
- Red Fox
- Wolf
Sources:
- „Smallest breed of domestic hamster“ (https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com)
- „Largest hamster species“ (https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com)
- „Oldest hamster in captivity“ (https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com)
- „Laut werden für den Feldhamster“ (https://www.nabu.de)
Related Articles:
- Hamster Breeds (Pet Section)
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