Kingdom : Animalia Class : Mammalia Family : Cricetidae Scientific Name : Mesocricetus Auratus Size : 5 - 28cm (2 - 11in) Weight : 100 - 900g (3.5 - 32oz) Top Speed : 6km/h (4mph) Life Span : 2 - 3 years Colour : Tan, Brown, White, Black Skin Type : Fur Special Features : Food storage pouches and ability to run backwards
- Hamsters are a type of rodents found throughout the world.
- They are believed to have their origin in the East-Asian deserts.
- There are around 20 species of hamsters found in the wild.
- The Russian Dwarf hamster is the smallest hamster species with the average size being around 10 cm long.
- The Syrian hamster is the largest hamster species with individuals growing up to 30 cm in length.
- Hamsters are quite common as household pets and get along well with children due to their calm and quiet temperament.
- They are extremely solitary animals, so much so that they fight each other to death, if in the same territory.
- In the wild, most of the hamster’s time is spent in digging and foraging for food.
- They have large cheek pouches which help them store and bring back food to their burrow.
- They inhabit semi-desert regions and build their burrows under the soft ground.
- Their burrows have many tunnels and chambers with separate eating and sleeping place.
- Hamsters are very quick runners and have the unique ability to run backwards.
- This really helps them in escaping from their predators quickly.
- They are nocturnal animals coming out in search of food during the night.
- Their teeth continue to grow throughout their lives and need continuous gnawing to keep from getting too long.
- They are omnivores, mainly feeding on seeds, nuts, vegetables, grass, fruits and berries.
- Their natural predators are large birds of prey like owls and hawks and snakes.