Hamsters are tiny, lovable animals that many people own as kids. They’re cute and full of sass and sweetness, making them great pets. There are many interesting facts about hamsters that you’ve probably never heard, and in this article, we’ll discuss 50 of them.
The 50 Hamster Facts
1. Hamsters are mammals.
Hamsters belong to the family Cricetidae, the second-largest family of mammals in the world. The family includes over 600 species, including mice, lemmings, and voles.
2. They were discovered in the 1700s.
Hamsters were discovered in the 1700s and first cataloged by scientists in 1839, but it wasn’t until the 1930s that they 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 Syrian hamsters are descendants of two hamsters 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 requires 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 better than others.
Chinese dwarf hamsters have longer tails than other species of hamsters, making them more agile at jumping and climbing, and they are often confused for mice.
10. Hamster breeds vary in height.
Some dwarf hamsters only reach 2 inches when fully grown, while the larger Syrian hamster tops out at around 6 inches.
11. Hamsters also vary in length.
European hamsters can exceed 12 inches when fully grown.
12. Some hamsters are rare to keep as pets.
It is rare for European hamsters to be kept as pets. They were added to the IUCN list of critically endangered animals and could be extinct by 2050.
13. Hamsters are omnivores.
They are omnivores, primarily eating plants and grains, but hamsters will also eat animal proteins, like insects and eggs.
14. They are active during dusk and dawn.
They are naturally crepuscular, which means they are most active during dawn and dusk and sleep throughout 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 find their way around. 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 to 4 years with excellent care.
19. They can’t see very well.
Hamsters have poor eyesight and can’t see some colors (such as red), 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. The burrows can reach around 0.5 meters deep and include multiple “rooms” and offshoots.
23. Wild hamsters hibernate.
In the wild, hamsters hibernate during the colder months.
24. The word “hamster” is derived from several languages
The word “hamster” is believed to be of Baltic, Russian, or Slavonic origin. In German, the verb “hamstern” is derived from “hamster” and means “hoarding.”
25. Hamster cheek pouches have a name.
They’re called diplostomes and can stretch to allow a hamster’s cheeks to be two to three times the size of its head.
26. These pouches have multiple uses.
Diplostomes aren’t just for food. Mother hamsters can carry their young in their diplostomes in case of danger. Some hamsters inflate them with air before swimming across a body of water, using them as a makeshift floatation device.
27. Hamsters can bite.
Although they are popular pets, hamsters startle easily and may bite. To avoid startling your hamster, it’s recommended that you talk to them and approach them slowly.
28. They also make noises.
If startled, you may hear your hamster squeal or scream.
29. Hamsters are intelligent.
Hamsters are intelligent animals that are even capable of learning their names. Talking to your hamster builds trust and teaches them to form associations between words and items or actions.
30. Hamsters can solve puzzles.
While rats tend to get all the credit, hamsters can also work their way through 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 keep them trimmed. If the teeth overgrow, a veterinarian can trim them.
33. Their teeth can grow in unusual directions.
The hamster’s teeth can break and may grow in unusual directions, especially if a tooth next to them is broken.
34. Hamsters can be trained.
Hamsters are great pets that can be litter box trained. They are very clean and prefer not to potty all over their enclosure.
35. Hamsters can run backward.
Unlike hamsters, several mammals cannot run backward.
36. They use both sets of feet.
They can use their front and back feet to grip, typically using them to hold onto toys or food.
37. They love to bathe
Some hamsters like to take dust baths, much like chinchillas.
38. Hamsters generally do not overeat.
Unlike most rodents, hamsters are not prone to overeating. They hoard 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. A bi-annual veterinary visit can ensure your hamster is healthy, especially as it begins to age.
40. 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 to 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 female hamsters 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 six to 12 pups, although some 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 babies before they have fur and explore the enclosure on their own, their mother will most likely kill and eat 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 whites, and 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 can be a problem.
Keeping male and female hamsters together is not recommended because they can breed too often. Breeding may occur before the female weans her pups, which can be stressful for her and may result in the pups’ deaths.
50. Do not allow male hamsters near the pups.
Male hamsters have no paternal instincts and should not be allowed around the pups. They may attempt to kill or eat the pups or fight with the female as she attempts to protect her young.
Final Thoughts
Did you learn something new about hamsters? They are fascinating animals that are often underestimated and considered ignorant since they’re “just” rodents.
However, they are highly intelligent animals with complex social interactions and the ability to learn, solve, and bond. Hamsters provide you with no shortage of interesting interactions over the years, and your hamster will be with you for up to 4 years if you give them excellent care.
Related Reads:
- How Many Babies Do Hamsters Have In A Litter? Breeding & Reproduction Guide
- Hamster Eye Colors and Their Rarity (With Pictures)
- DIY Hamster Mazes You Can Make at Home (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: mordilla-net, Pixabay
Contents
- The 50 Hamster Facts
- 1. Hamsters are mammals.
- 2. They were discovered in the 1700s.
- 3. They are all descendants of two hamsters.
- 4. There are multiple hamster species.
- 5. Syrian hamsters are the most popular.
- 6. Wild hamsters are endangered.
- 7. Long-haired hamsters are a type of Syrian hamster.
- 8. Their tails are how you can distinguish them from other small mammals.
- 9. Some hamsters can jump and climb better than others.
- 10. Hamster breeds vary in height.
- 11. Hamsters also vary in length.
- 12. Some hamsters are rare to keep as pets.
- 13. Hamsters are omnivores.
- 14. They are active during dusk and dawn.
- 15. Hamsters love to run.
- 16. They have sensitive noses.
- 17. They can be bred easily.
- 18. Hamsters can live longer than other small mammals.
- 19. They can’t see very well.
- 20. Hamsters are born blind.
- 21. They are also born with teeth.
- 22. Hamsters enjoy digging.
- 23. Wild hamsters hibernate.
- 24. The word “hamster” is derived from several languages
- 25. Hamster cheek pouches have a name.
- 26. These pouches have multiple uses.
- 27. Hamsters can bite.
- 28. They also make noises.
- 29. Hamsters are intelligent.
- 30. Hamsters can solve puzzles.
- 31. Hamsters have a range of emotions.
- 32. Their teeth never stop growing.
- 33. Their teeth can grow in unusual directions.
- 34. Hamsters can be trained.
- 35. Hamsters can run backward.
- 36. They use both sets of feet.
- 37. They love to bathe
- 38. Hamsters generally do not overeat.
- 39. Hamsters need vet care.
- 40. Hamsters prefer to be alone.
- 41. Some hamsters will fight their cage mates.
- 42. Other hamsters love having a friend.
- 43. The female hamsters are big.
- 44. Baby hamsters have a name.
- 45. Litters can range in size.
- 46. You should never touch a baby hamster.
- 47. Mother hamsters nurse their young.
- 48. Try to keep new mothers calm.
- 49. Overbreeding can be a problem.
- 50. Do not allow male hamsters near the pups.
- Final Thoughts
