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Hamster

From Tilcayo Cats, the lean encyclopaedia by Tilcayo Knowledge Systems
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Hamsters are rodents of the subfamily Cricetinae in the family Cricetidae. The subfamily has seven genera: Allocricetulus, Cansumys, Cricetulus, Cricetus, Mesocricetus, Phodopus and Tscherskia. All of them live in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.[1]

Features

Hamsters have sturdy bodies, short limbs and short tails, and large cheek pouches for carrying food. Most species dig burrows with chambers for nesting and storing food.[2][1] Those of Europe and the Middle East have 16 teeth.[2] Many are nocturnal and solitary.[2][3]

Species

  • The European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) is the largest hamster. It has declined steeply in western Europe.[2][4] The IUCN Red List assesses it as Critically Endangered.[5]
  • The golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) comes from a small area of Syria. It is the familiar laboratory and pet hamster.[2][1] The IUCN Red List assesses it as Endangered in the wild.[6]
  • Other Mesocricetus species include Brandt's hamster, the Romanian hamster and the Ciscaucasian hamster.[2] The Romanian hamster's total population has been estimated at only a few thousand.[2]
  • The grey or Armenian hamster (Cricetulus migratorius) is the smallest hamster in Europe and the Middle East.[2]
  • The Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) lives in southern Siberia, Mongolia, north-eastern China and northern North Korea.[7]
  • The dwarf hamsters of the genus Phodopus include the Djungarian hamster (P. sungorus), which turns white when days are short.[8] The IUCN Red List assesses the Djungarian hamster as Least Concern.[9]

Hibernation

Several species hibernate. The European hamster and Brandt's, Romanian and Ciscaucasian hamsters hibernate from about October until March or April.[2][4]


See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Smith, Gerald D. (2011). "Taxonomy and History". In Suckow, Mark A.; Stevens, Karla A.; Wilson, Ronald P. (eds.). The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents. Academic Press. ISBN 9780123809216.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Aulagnier, Stéphane; Haffner, Patrick; Mitchell-Jones, A. J.; Moutou, François; Zima, Jan (2025). Field Guide to Mammals of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East (3rd ed.). Bloomsbury. pp. 76–79. ISBN 9781399414944.
  3. ↑ Murray, Kathleen A. (2011). "Anatomy, Physiology, and Behavior". In Suckow, Mark A.; Stevens, Karla A.; Wilson, Ronald P. (eds.). The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents. Academic Press. ISBN 9780123809216.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Fenyk-Melody, Judy (2011). "The European Hamster". In Suckow, Mark A.; Stevens, Karla A.; Wilson, Ronald P. (eds.). The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents. Academic Press. ISBN 9780123809216.
  5. ↑ Banaszek, A.; Bogomolov, P.; Feoktistova, N.; La Haye, M.; Monecke, S.; Reiners, T. E.; Rusin, M.; Surov, A.; Weinhold, U.; Ziomek, J. (2020). "Cricetus cricetus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T5529A111875852.en. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
  6. ↑ Kennerley, R.; Middleton, K. (2022). "Mesocricetus auratus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T13219A107411865.en. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
  7. ↑ Feeney, William P. (2011). "The Chinese or Striped-Back Hamster". In Suckow, Mark A.; Stevens, Karla A.; Wilson, Ronald P. (eds.). The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents. Academic Press. ISBN 9780123809216.
  8. ↑ Bauer, Beth A.; Besch-Williford, Cynthia (2011). "Other Hamsters". In Suckow, Mark A.; Stevens, Karla A.; Wilson, Ronald P. (eds.). The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents. Academic Press. ISBN 9780123809216.
  9. ↑ Cassola, F. (2016). "Phodopus sungorus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T17037A22354157.en. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
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