Hamsters are those tiny, lovable animals that many people have owned at least once. They’re cute and full of sass and sweetness, making them great pets. There are lots of interesting things about hamsters that you’ve probably never heard, so let’s get into the fun and fascinating hamster facts you didn’t know before now. The 50 Most Facinating Hamster Facts

  1. Hamsters are mammals Hamsters belong to the family Cricetidae, which is the second-largest family of mammals in the world. There are over 600 species in the family, including mice, lemmings, and voles.

  2. Discovered in the 1700’s They were first catalogued by scientists in the 1700s, but it wasn’t until the 1930s that hamsters began being used as lab animals. Shortly after that, they became popular pets.

  3. They are all descendants of two hamsters It’s believed that all domesticated hamsters are descendants of two hamsters that were bred in 1930.

  4. There are multiple hamster species There are around 25 species of hamsters, including Roborovski, White Winter Dwarf, and Syrian.

  5. Syrian hamsters are the most popular Syrian hamsters are the most popular species of hamster kept as pets. They are also sometimes referred to as “teddy bear hamsters”.

  6. Wild hamsters are endangered In their native habitat, Syrian hamsters are considered endangered.

  7. Long-haired Hamsters are a type of Syrian hamster Their long hair means they require routine grooming to prevent mats and waste collection around the back end.

  8. Their tails are how you can distinguish them from other small mammals Hamsters have short tails, differentiating them from the similar-looking Gerbil, which has a long, mouse-like tail.

  9. Some hamsters can jump and climb Chinese Dwarf hamsters have longer tails than other species of hamsters, making them more agile at jumping and climbing, and meaning they are often confused for mice.

  10. Hamster breeds vary in heights Some Dwarf hamsters only reach 2 inches when full grown, while the larger Syrian hamster tops out at around 6 inches. Image Credit: Marcela Arrubla, Pixabay

  11. And in length European hamsters can exceed 12 inches when full grown.

  12. Some hamsters are rare to keep as pets It is extremely rare for European hamsters to be kept as pets. It became even more rare when they were added to the IUCN list of critically endangered animals. They could be extinct by 2050.

  13. They mostly eat plants They are omnivores, primarily eating plants and grains, but hamsters will also eat animal proteins, like insects and eggs.

  14. Active during dusk & dawn They are naturally crepuscular, which means they are most active during dawn and dusk and sleeping through much of the day and night.

  15. Hamsters love to run Hamsters are fast runners, able to clock in over 5 miles of running in a single night.

  16. They have sensitive noses They use scent glands to mark their space and to help find their way. Some of these scent glands are located on their back.

  17. They can be bred easily They breed easily in captivity, which is part of the reason they are popular as pets and lab animals.

  18. Hamsters can live longer than other small mammals In captivity, hamsters can live 3–4 years with excellent care.

  19. They can’t see very well Hamsters have very poor eyesight and are color blind, so they rely on their noses to find their way. They have a great sense of smell, though!

  20. Hamsters are born blind They are born completely blind and develop their eyesight as they age. Image Credit: Victor FlowerFly, Shutterstock

  21. They are also born with teeth They are born with a full set of teeth.

  22. Hamsters enjoy digging In the wild, hamsters dig large, elaborate burrows. These burrows can reach around 0.5 meters in depth and often include multiple “rooms” and offshoots.

  23. Wild hamsters hibernate In the wild, hamsters will hibernate during the colder months.

  24. The word “hamster” is German The word “hamster” originated in the German language with the word “hamstern”, which means “hoard”. This is because hamsters hoard food in their cheeks and burrows.

  25. Hamster cheek pouches have a name They’re called displostomes and can stretch to allow a hamster’s cheeks to be 2–3 times the size of its head.

  26. These pouches have multiple uses Displostomes aren’t just for food. Mother hamsters can carry their young in their displostomes in case of danger.

  27. Hamsters can bite Although they are popular pets, hamsters do startle quite easily and may bite if startled. It’s recommended to talk to your hamster and approach it slowly to avoid startling it.

  28. They also make noises If startled, you may hear your hamster squeal or scream.

  29. Hamsters are intelligent They are intelligent animals that are even capable of learning their name. Talking to your hamster builds trust and teaches your hamster to form associations between words and items or actions.

  30. Hamsters can solve puzzles While rats tend to get all the credit, hamsters are capable of working mazes and puzzles. Image Credit: sipa , Pixabay

  31. Hamsters have a range of emotions Studies have shown that hamsters have different moods that directly correlate to their health and enjoyment of their environment.

  32. Their teeth never stop growing Their teeth never stop growing, so they should always have chew sticks and toys available to help keep the teeth trimmed. If the teeth overgrow, they can be trimmed by a veterinarian.

  33. Their teeth can grow in unusual directions The teeth can break and may grow in unusual directions, especially if the tooth next to it is broken.

  34. Hamsters can be trained Hamsters are a great pet if you’re looking for a small animal that can be litter box trained. They are very clean and prefer not to potty all over their enclosure.

  35. Hamsters can run backward Which many mammals are not capable of doing.

  36. They use both sets of feet They can use both their front and back feet to grip, typically using them to hold onto toys or food.

  37. They don’t mind getting dirty Some hamsters like to take dust baths, much like chinchillas.

  38. Hamsters generally do not over eat Unlike most rodents, hamsters are not prone to overeating. They will often ignore food in their enclosure that they aren’t hungry for or don’t like.

  39. Hamsters need vet care Your hamster should have regular visits to the vet. An annual veterinary visit can ensure your hamster is healthy, especially as it begins to age.

  40. Some hamsters prefer to be alone Syrian hamsters are solitary animals in the wild, so they should not be kept with cage mates in captivity. Image Credit: Cindy Parks, Pixabay

  41. Some hamsters will fight their cage mates Syrian hamsters must be separated from their littermates by the time they are 4–5 weeks old to prevent fighting and injuries.

  42. Other hamsters love having a friend Some Dwarf varieties of hamsters are highly social animals that appreciate living with a cage mate.

  43. The girls are big Female hamsters are usually larger than males.

  44. Baby hamsters have a name Baby hamsters are called “pups”.

  45. Litters can range in size A litter of hamsters usually consists of 6 – 12 pups, although some litters can exceed 20 pups.

  46. You should never touch a baby hamster Handling pups for the first few weeks after birth is not recommended. If you touch the pups before they are furred and wandering the enclosure on their own, their mother will kill them.

  47. Mother hamsters nurse their young To keep her healthy and give her energy while she is nursing, increase her protein intake by including small pieces of cheese, cooked egg white, and even very small amounts of lean boiled chicken.

  48. Try to keep new mothers calm It is recommended to keep your hamster’s environment quiet and calm after she gives birth. A mother hamster that feels threatened may eat her pups. In the wild, this serves to protect the nest from predation.

  49. Overbreeding is can be a problem It’s not recommended to keep male and female hamsters together because they can breed too much. Breeding may occur before the female weans her pups, which can be stressful for her and may result in the death of the pups.

  50. Do not allow male hamsters near the pups Male hamsters have no paternal instincts and should not be allowed around the pups. He may attempt to kill or eat the pups, or he may end up in a fight with the female as she attempts to protect her young.

See Also: Can Hamsters and Guinea Pigs Live Together? Is It Advisable?

Image Credit: Victor FlowerFly, Shutterstock In Conclusion Did you learn something new about hamsters? They are fascinating animals that are often underestimated and believed to be stupid since they’re “just” rodents. However, they are highly intelligent animals with complex social interactions and the ability to learn, solve, and bond. Hamsters will provide you no shortage of interesting interactions over the years, and your hamster will be with you for up to 4 years if you give it excellent care. Sources

https://lvma.org/LVMA/For_Pet_Owners/Educational_Material/Biology_of_the_Hamster.aspx

  You may want to read next:

How Many Babies Do Hamsters Have In A Litter? Breeding & Reproduction Guide 7 Hamster Eye Colors and Their Rarity (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: mordilla-net, Pixabay

Hamsters are those tiny, lovable animals that many people have owned at least once. They’re cute and full of sass and sweetness, making them great pets. There are lots of interesting things about hamsters that you’ve probably never heard, so let’s get into the fun and fascinating hamster facts you didn’t know before now.

The 50 Most Facinating Hamster Facts

1. Hamsters are mammals

Hamsters belong to the family Cricetidae, which is the second-largest family of mammals in the world. There are over 600 species in the family, including mice, lemmings, and voles.

2. Discovered in the 1700’s

They were first catalogued by scientists in the 1700s, but it wasn’t until the 1930s that hamsters began being used as lab animals. Shortly after that, they became popular pets.

3. They are all descendants of two hamsters

It’s believed that all domesticated hamsters are descendants of two hamsters that were bred in 1930.

4. There are multiple hamster species

There are around 25 species of hamsters, including Roborovski, White Winter Dwarf, and Syrian.

Syrian hamsters are the most popular species of hamster kept as pets. They are also sometimes referred to as “teddy bear hamsters”.

6. Wild hamsters are endangered

In their native habitat, Syrian hamsters are considered endangered.

7. Long-haired Hamsters are a type of Syrian hamster

Their long hair means they require routine grooming to prevent mats and waste collection around the back end.

8. Their tails are how you can distinguish them from other small mammals

Hamsters have short tails, differentiating them from the similar-looking Gerbil, which has a long, mouse-like tail.

9. Some hamsters can jump and climb

Chinese Dwarf hamsters have longer tails than other species of hamsters, making them more agile at jumping and climbing, and meaning they are often confused for mice.

10. Hamster breeds vary in heights

Some Dwarf hamsters only reach 2 inches when full grown, while the larger Syrian hamster tops out at around 6 inches.

11. And in length

European hamsters can exceed 12 inches when full grown.

12. Some hamsters are rare to keep as pets

It is extremely rare for European hamsters to be kept as pets. It became even more rare when they were added to the IUCN list of critically endangered animals. They could be extinct by 2050.

13. They mostly eat plants

They are omnivores, primarily eating plants and grains, but hamsters will also eat animal proteins, like insects and eggs.

14. Active during dusk & dawn

They are naturally crepuscular, which means they are most active during dawn and dusk and sleeping through much of the day and night.

15. Hamsters love to run

Hamsters are fast runners, able to clock in over 5 miles of running in a single night.

16. They have sensitive noses

They use scent glands to mark their space and to help find their way. Some of these scent glands are located on their back.

17. They can be bred easily

They breed easily in captivity, which is part of the reason they are popular as pets and lab animals.

18. Hamsters can live longer than other small mammals

In captivity, hamsters can live 3–4 years with excellent care.

19. They can’t see very well

Hamsters have very poor eyesight and are color blind, so they rely on their noses to find their way. They have a great sense of smell, though!

20. Hamsters are born blind

They are born completely blind and develop their eyesight as they age.

21. They are also born with teeth

They are born with a full set of teeth.

22. Hamsters enjoy digging

In the wild, hamsters dig large, elaborate burrows. These burrows can reach around 0.5 meters in depth and often include multiple “rooms” and offshoots.

23. Wild hamsters hibernate

In the wild, hamsters will hibernate during the colder months.

24. The word “hamster” is German

The word “hamster” originated in the German language with the word “hamstern”, which means “hoard”. This is because hamsters hoard food in their cheeks and burrows.

25. Hamster cheek pouches have a name

They’re called displostomes and can stretch to allow a hamster’s cheeks to be 2–3 times the size of its head.

26. These pouches have multiple uses

Displostomes aren’t just for food. Mother hamsters can carry their young in their displostomes in case of danger.

27. Hamsters can bite

Although they are popular pets, hamsters do startle quite easily and may bite if startled. It’s recommended to talk to your hamster and approach it slowly to avoid startling it.

28. They also make noises

If startled, you may hear your hamster squeal or scream.

29. Hamsters are intelligent

They are intelligent animals that are even capable of learning their name. Talking to your hamster builds trust and teaches your hamster to form associations between words and items or actions.

30. Hamsters can solve puzzles

While rats tend to get all the credit, hamsters are capable of working mazes and puzzles.

31. Hamsters have a range of emotions

Studies have shown that hamsters have different moods that directly correlate to their health and enjoyment of their environment.

32. Their teeth never stop growing

Their teeth never stop growing, so they should always have chew sticks and toys available to help keep the teeth trimmed. If the teeth overgrow, they can be trimmed by a veterinarian.

33. Their teeth can grow in unusual directions

The teeth can break and may grow in unusual directions, especially if the tooth next to it is broken.

34. Hamsters can be trained

Hamsters are a great pet if you’re looking for a small animal that can be litter box trained. They are very clean and prefer not to potty all over their enclosure.

35. Hamsters can run backward

Which many mammals are not capable of doing.

36. They use both sets of feet

They can use both their front and back feet to grip, typically using them to hold onto toys or food.

37. They don’t mind getting dirty

Some hamsters like to take dust baths, much like chinchillas.

38. Hamsters generally do not over eat

Unlike most rodents, hamsters are not prone to overeating. They will often ignore food in their enclosure that they aren’t hungry for or don’t like.

39. Hamsters need vet care

Your hamster should have regular visits to the vet. An annual veterinary visit can ensure your hamster is healthy, especially as it begins to age.

40. Some hamsters prefer to be alone

Syrian hamsters are solitary animals in the wild, so they should not be kept with cage mates in captivity.

41. Some hamsters will fight their cage mates

Syrian hamsters must be separated from their littermates by the time they are 4–5 weeks old to prevent fighting and injuries.

42. Other hamsters love having a friend

Some Dwarf varieties of hamsters are highly social animals that appreciate living with a cage mate.

43. The girls are big

Female hamsters are usually larger than males.

44. Baby hamsters have a name

Baby hamsters are called “pups”.

45. Litters can range in size

A litter of hamsters usually consists of 6 – 12 pups, although some litters can exceed 20 pups.

46. You should never touch a baby hamster

Handling pups for the first few weeks after birth is not recommended. If you touch the pups before they are furred and wandering the enclosure on their own, their mother will kill them.

47. Mother hamsters nurse their young

To keep her healthy and give her energy while she is nursing, increase her protein intake by including small pieces of cheese, cooked egg white, and even very small amounts of lean boiled chicken.

48. Try to keep new mothers calm

It is recommended to keep your hamster’s environment quiet and calm after she gives birth. A mother hamster that feels threatened may eat her pups. In the wild, this serves to protect the nest from predation.

49. Overbreeding is can be a problem

It’s not recommended to keep male and female hamsters together because they can breed too much. Breeding may occur before the female weans her pups, which can be stressful for her and may result in the death of the pups.

50. Do not allow male hamsters near the pups

Male hamsters have no paternal instincts and should not be allowed around the pups. He may attempt to kill or eat the pups, or he may end up in a fight with the female as she attempts to protect her young.

  • See Also: Can Hamsters and Guinea Pigs Live Together? Is It Advisable?

In Conclusion

Did you learn something new about hamsters? They are fascinating animals that are often underestimated and believed to be stupid since they’re “just” rodents. However, they are highly intelligent animals with complex social interactions and the ability to learn, solve, and bond. Hamsters will provide you no shortage of interesting interactions over the years, and your hamster will be with you for up to 4 years if you give it excellent care.

Sources

https://lvma.org/LVMA/For_Pet_Owners/Educational_Material/Biology_of_the_Hamster.aspx

 

You may want to read next:

Sources

https://lvma.org/LVMA/For_Pet_Owners/Educational_Material/Biology_of_the_Hamster.aspx

Featured Image Credit: mordilla-net, Pixabay