10 Essential Hamster Facts for Hamster Enthusiasts

The hamster, a small furry animal with a short tail and stout body, belongs to the rodent family. It is widely recognized as a relative of mice and rats. The term ‘hamster’ is derived from the German word ‘hamster,’ which means to hoard, reflecting its ability to store food in each side of its mouth.

Are you a hamster enthusiast? We’ve curated the guide for you. This brief guide includes other intriguing hamster facts, from their discovery to remarkable intelligence.

10 Essential Facts for Hamster Enthusiasts

1: Hamsters Were Discovered in Syria

The discovery of hamsters in Syria is a captivating tale. In 1797, they were initially identified as native to this region. Then, in 1930, archaeologist Aaron Abrahams stumbled upon a nest of 12 baby hamsters near Aleppo, Syria. These hamsters were captured for medical research, and their descendants were distributed to laboratories worldwide during the 1930s. In 1936, some of the first domesticated hamsters from Syria arrived in the United States, marking the onset of their popularity as pets.

2: There Are Around  20 Species of Hamsters

Hamsters comprise a diverse group, with over 20 species closely related to voles, lemmings, and mice. However, only five species are popular pets: Syrian, Roborovski dwarf, Campbell’s Russian dwarf, Russian winter white dwarf, and Chinese hamsters. Among these, golden or Syrian hamsters are the most popular.

While some species are favored companions, others, like the European and Turkish hamsters, thrive in the wild.

3: Hamsters Are Nocturnal Creatures

One of the most intriguing facts about hamsters is their nocturnal behavior, inherited from their ancestors. This means hamsters are active at night, which helps them escape daytime heat and avoid visual predators. 

But how do these creatures see in the dark? They possess specialized sensory whiskers on their snout to gather information about their surroundings. The whisker-to-cortex signaling pathway enables them to see at night.

4: Hamsters Are Banned in Hawaii

Yes, due to their unique characteristics, hamsters are illegal to own or bring into Hawaii. The ecosystems in Hawaii are particularly vulnerable, and introducing invasive species like hamsters could significantly damage these ecosystems. If hamsters escape and breed, they could destroy local plants and wildlife. Therefore, this ban in Hawaii aims to protect the island’s delicate ecology and ensure safety.   

5: Hamsters’ Teeth Have Continuous Growth

Yes, one of the hamster facts is that their teeth never stop growing. The incisors (front teeth) continuously grow throughout their lives, a common characteristic shared with all rodents. These incisors have a soft dentin layer on the inside and a hard enamel layer on the outside, facilitating continuous growth. 

The constant wear of the upper and lower incisors against each other helps prevent overgrowth. Hamsters use their incisors for gnawing, chewing, biting, and cracking open seeds, nuts, and tough foods. Furthermore, they employ their incisors to dig burrows and defend against predators.

It’s worth mentioning that if the teeth stop growing, hamsters will become lethargic, which in turn may affect their life span.

6: Dwarf Hamsters Are 2 to 4 Inches, While Syrian Hamsters Can Grow Up to 6 Inches

The size of a hamster typically ranges from 2 to 7 inches in length. Species within the Phodopus genus are among the smallest, with body lengths ranging from 5.5 to 10.5 cm. Hamster types exhibit significant variation in physical size; for instance, the Syrian hamster typically measures about 5 to 7 inches in length, while dwarf hamsters can grow up to 2 to 4 inches. 

7: Some Hamsters Can Run Up to 8 Miles On Their Exercise Wheel in a Single Night

Hamsters are primarily active during the evening and night, often traveling distances of up to 8 miles in search of food. They cover such distances to gather food, storing it in their cheek pouches before returning to their burrows. Hamsters are highly motivated rodents known for their affinity for running on hamster wheels (an exercise device used primarily by rodents). Interestingly, a hamster on a running wheel attached to a generator can generate up to 500 mW of electric power.

8: Hamsters Typically Live Around 2-3 Years

The lifespan of domestic hamsters varies by species, with domestic individuals typically living longer than their wild counterparts. Wild hamsters often fall prey to predators such as owls and foxes, and environmental factors and conflicts with other hamsters can also impact their lifespans.

The life expectancy of a Syrian hamster, teddy bear hamster, and Roborovski dwarf hamster is around 2-3 years, while dwarf hamsters and Chinese hamsters typically live about 1-3 years. Winter White dwarf or Russian dwarf hamsters generally have a lifespan of around one year.

However, the lifespan of domestic hamsters can be extended by providing them with a proper diet, care, and a healthy living environment.

9: Hamsters Hoard Food

Hamsters are often regarded as hoarders because of their ability to store food in their cheeks. The cheek pouches serve a dual purpose, aiding them in gathering food and thus surviving in times of danger. In the wild, hamsters gather food and transport it back to their nests. Food hoarding is particularly prevalent among food-deprived hamsters, who stash their food in their big and flexible cheek pouches, as well as in nests.

10: Hamsters Have Poor Eyesight

Hamsters are color-blind and possess limited eyesight, unable to perceive colors, including black and white. Their eyes are composed of 97% rod cells and only 3% cone cells, likely enabling them to perceive colors on the green spectrum to some extent. 

They have clearer vision at night, which is one reason they are more active during nighttime hours. Due to their abundance of rod cells, hamsters have superior night vision, as these cells efficiently draw light into the retina.

Conclusion

Hamsters are indeed intelligent animals capable of recognizing their names and their owners. From their nocturnal nature to their instinctive hoarding behavior, hamsters possess a range of fascinating traits. The hamster facts discussed above offer insights into these small furry creatures, allowing us to discover and understand more about them.

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