Hamsters are classified as rodents in the taxonomic Order Rodentia. Further classification varies in the literature as the origins of the hamster are not yet completely clear. The Order is characterized by incisors which grow continually. There is one pair in both the upper and lower jaws. To keep the incisors from growing too long, rodents constantly gnaw and chew on hard materials. Pet rodents should be given safe material for this purpose.
Hamsters belong to the subfamily Cricetinae and are mammals. There are about 25 species in Cricetinae spread over a number of genera. The Syrian (Mesocricetus auratus) was not successfully bred and domesticated until 1939 although they were first described a century earlier.
The first Syrian pair to be captured were siblings. All domesticated Syrians or golden hamsters appear to have come from this first pair imported from Syria in 1930. When exported to the USA years later, the little animals become an extremely popular domestic pet. They are also favored as laboratory animals.
The European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) and the Chinese hamster both belong to the same genus. Chinese hamsters have a rat-like face, are lighter than a Syrian and quite delicate. They are also very timid. Russian or Campbell's dwarf hamsters are very similar to the Siberian, also called the striped hairy-footed or Winter White. The smallest of the pet species is the Roborovski. These three types belong to the genus Phodopus.
As wild hamsters are most active around early morning and again at dusk, they are said to be crepuscular. They hide from predators during the day in burrows which they have dug out of the soil. They live mostly on vegetable matter plus fruit, seeds and an occasional insect. Hamsters are near-sighted and color blind. However, they have acute hearing. Scent-marking is important to them as it enables them to find their way back to their burrows.
Wild hamsters often hibernate. Their metabolic rate falls to a mere five percent. This markedly reduces the need for food. Some slow all physiological systems down for short periods without going into full hibernation. This is called torpor. There is some disagreement among taxonomists about the origins of the hamster. This has led to several different classifications being used.
Hamsters belong to the subfamily Cricetinae and are mammals. There are about 25 species in Cricetinae spread over a number of genera. The Syrian (Mesocricetus auratus) was not successfully bred and domesticated until 1939 although they were first described a century earlier.
The first Syrian pair to be captured were siblings. All domesticated Syrians or golden hamsters appear to have come from this first pair imported from Syria in 1930. When exported to the USA years later, the little animals become an extremely popular domestic pet. They are also favored as laboratory animals.
The European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) and the Chinese hamster both belong to the same genus. Chinese hamsters have a rat-like face, are lighter than a Syrian and quite delicate. They are also very timid. Russian or Campbell's dwarf hamsters are very similar to the Siberian, also called the striped hairy-footed or Winter White. The smallest of the pet species is the Roborovski. These three types belong to the genus Phodopus.
As wild hamsters are most active around early morning and again at dusk, they are said to be crepuscular. They hide from predators during the day in burrows which they have dug out of the soil. They live mostly on vegetable matter plus fruit, seeds and an occasional insect. Hamsters are near-sighted and color blind. However, they have acute hearing. Scent-marking is important to them as it enables them to find their way back to their burrows.
Wild hamsters often hibernate. Their metabolic rate falls to a mere five percent. This markedly reduces the need for food. Some slow all physiological systems down for short periods without going into full hibernation. This is called torpor. There is some disagreement among taxonomists about the origins of the hamster. This has led to several different classifications being used.
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