Hamster Facts

About the hamster

Hamsters make up the subfamily Cricetinae, with 19 species in seven genera, and they have become well-established small pets. The golden, or Syrian, hamster is the best known and the one most often kept at home. Three dwarf species are also common pets: Campbell's dwarf hamster, the winter white dwarf hamster and the Roborovski hamster, along with the less common Chinese hamster.

Seeds, fruits and plants make up most of a hamster's diet, with the odd burrowing insect. In the wild, hamsters forage at twilight, so they count as crepuscular. Pets tend to switch to a nighttime schedule, waking near sundown to eat and exercise. Besides the cheek pouches, look for a short tail and furry feet. Those pouches let a hamster haul a surprising load of food back underground.

Did you know?

• The Syrian hamster's scientific name is Mesocricetus auratus.
• There are three species of dwarf hamster commonly kept as pets.
• The Roborovski hamster belongs to the genus Phodopus.