Hamsters are one of the cutest pets you could possibly get, and they're very easy to take care of as well, so it's no wonder that they're so popular. This list features some of the cutest hamsters on the internet, but be warned – they may cause a cuteness overload! Hamsters are probably as cute as they are because of their massive cheek pouches, which they use to carry food back to their burrows in the wild. These pouches can more than double the size of their faces!
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Hamster Facts & Information:
Pet hamsters are known by many names, including dwarf hamsters, teddy bear hamsters and golden hamsters. The hamster species available today are usually one of five species: the Syrian hamster, the Roborovski dwarf hamster, the Campbell's dwarf hamster, the Winter White dwarf hamster and the Chinese dwarf hamster. The Roborovski, Campbell's and Winter White are known as Russian dwarf hamsters. The Syrian hamster is the largest species and sometimes referred to as a golden hamster. A longhaired Syrian hamster is sometimes called a teddy bear. Syrian hamsters are solitary and must have their own habitat. The dwarf hamsters can live together in same-species groups if introduced at a young age.
The pet hamster species originated in arid areas that include Syria, Russia, China and Mongolia. The Syrian hamster was the first to arrive in the United States in the late 1930s and gained popularity as a pet in the 1950s. Since that time, many people have fallen under the spell of these furry busybodies.
Hamster Fact #1: Hamsters are “crepuscular”
This means that hamsters are not diurnal (active during the daytime, like humans), or nocturnal (active at night, like owls), but rather “crepuscular”, which means they are most active during the twilight hours.
Wild hamsters generally leave their burrows shortly before the sun goes down and return once it gets dark.
Hamster Fact #2: The largest type of hamster can grow to 13 inches (33cm) long
A type of hamster called the European Hamster is the largest of the hamster species. They can grow to an incredible 13 inches long!
Hamster Fact #3: The smallest type of hamster is just 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10cm) long
Hamster-Finger-300Roborovski Dwarf hamsters are the smallest type of hamster. Adult Roborovski Dwarf hamsters sometimes grow to as little as 2 inches long.
Hamster Fact #4: Hamsters can store food in their cheeks, then eat it later!
If a hamster finds food but isn’t comfortable eating it in its current location (for example – if it feels vulnerable to predators) then it will store the food in its cheeks and run to a safe place before starting to eat.
Hamster Fact #5: There are five different hamster species often kept as pets
The five hamster species most commonly kept as pets are: Roborovski, Syrian, Campbell’s Dwarf, Chinese and Winter White Russian Dwarf hamsters.
Can hamsters eat meat?
Hamster Fact #6: Hamsters are omnivores
People often think that hamsters are vegetarian, but they’re actually omnivores. In the wild, hamsters have been known to hunt and eat insects. Find out more about what hamsters eat.
Hamster Fact #7: Hamsters can live for up to 4 years.
The average hamster life span is around 2 to 2.5 years. However, Roborovski hamsters often live to over 3 years, and 4 year old hamsters are rare but not unheard of. Find out more about the hamster life span.
Hamster Fact #8: Hamsters are born blind
Hamster babies (known as ‘pups’) cannot open their eyes until around two weeks after birth.
Hamster Fact #9: Hamster’s incisor teeth never stop growing
Have you ever wondered why hamsters like to chew things so much? It’s because their front teeth (their incisors) never stop growing! If your hamster didn’t chew on things then its teeth would grow so long that it would struggle to open its mouth to eat properly.
Hamster Fact #10: Hamsters can have up to 24 babies at a time!
Hamsters breed in the spring and summer and will produce several litters per year. The average litter size is around 7 pups (babies), however, it is possible for some hamsters to have up to 24 pups in one litter! Find out more about pregnancy in hamsters.
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With inputs from Wikipedia, Small Animal Channel & TheHamsterHouse
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