Hamsters are cute, furry mammals with outsized cheek pouches and brief tails. These small rodents reside within the wild, and a few species are standard as home pets. There are about 20 hamster species present in quite a lot of habitats, from deserts and plains to dunes and agricultural fields throughout Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. One species, the European hamster, is critically endangered.
From their elaborate burrows to their constantly rising incisors, there’s a lot to find out about these little fluff balls. Right here are some things you might not find out about hamsters.
Quick Hamster Details
- Frequent Identify: Hamster
- Scientific Identify: Cricetinae
- Common Lifespan within the Wild: 2 to three years
- Common Lifespan in Captivity: 2 to 4 years
- IUCN Crimson Checklist Standing: Least concern to critically endangered, relying on the species
- Present Inhabitants: Unknown
1. There Are About 20 Species of Hamsters
Hamsters belong to the household Cricetidae, which incorporates voles and lemmings in addition to rats and mice. The 20 or extra species of hamsters are fairly different. Some are ratlike, just like the seven members of the Cricetulus genus, whereas the lone member of the Cricetus genus, the European or widespread hamster, has distinctive black fur on its stomach.
The preferred species for pets are the golden or Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), and three totally different members of dwarf hamsters: the winter white dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus), Campbell’s dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli), and the Roborovski hamster (Phodopus roborovskii), the smallest of all hamster species.
2. They Are Nocturnal Creatures
Being prey for thus many animals, it’s no surprise that almost all hamsters are nocturnal. They spend their days hiding from snakes, eagles, foxes, badgers, and different carnivores. Within the wild, hamsters dig burrows with deep tunnels and a number of entrances for defense and to sleep throughout bouts of torpor. They’re solitary animals, spending most of their time of their burrows alone. They’re additionally fiercely territorial and can assault invading hamsters that dare enterprise close to.
3. They Are Promiscuous
Female and male hamsters are polygynandrous—that means they’ve a number of mates. Throughout breeding season, males journey from burrow to burrow and mate with any feminine, offered that the feminine hasn’t already mated. As soon as she has mated, a copulatory plug varieties on the feminine to forestall any additional insemination. Hamsters are territorial, and females often kick the male out after mating.
Females usually delivery two to 4 litters a 12 months—their gestation interval is simply 15 to 22 days—and litter sizes can vary from one to 13 younger, although the typical is round 5 to seven.
4. Hamsters Are Banned in Hawaii
Given their excessive reproductive price and that Hawaii’s local weather is much like the hamsters’ native habitat, these critters are unlawful in Hawaii. Hamsters might rapidly set up giant colonies within the state in the event that they ever escaped into the wild, posing an issue for agriculture and different native species.
Hawaii’s listing of banned animals additionally contains hummingbirds, snakes, gerbils, hermit crabs, and salamanders.
5. Their Enamel By no means Cease Rising
Like all rodents, hamsters’ incisor enamel haven’t any roots and by no means cease rising. By gnawing, they preserve their enamel good and sharp whereas stopping them from turning into too overgrown.
Researchers finding out rodents’ enamel have found that their incisor enamel comprise energetic stem cells. This issue, coupled with rodents’ trait of regularly regrowing their enamel, offers scientists hope of sooner or later replicating the tooth regeneration course of in people.
6. They Hoard Meals
Hamsters are constructed for meals storage. Their cheeks are like tiny totes they will fill with fruit, grains, roots, and leaves—as much as an quantity equal to their physique weight. Once they discover an considerable supply of meals, they fill these cheek pouches and return to their burrows the place they’ve ready meals chambers for storage. Actually, their identify comes from the German phrase “hamstern”, which suggests to forage.
7. They Are Susceptible to Micro organism and Viruses
Hamsters carry salmonella and, whereas uncommon, they’re additionally liable to Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, a virus that can lead to flulike signs. The first strategies of zoonotic illness switch from hamsters and different rodents to people is thru bites, direct contact with the animal, and oblique contact with contaminated objects. Younger youngsters and pregnant adults are significantly vulnerable to contracting it.