Hamster
A hamster is kind of rodent. There are many distinct hamster species, most of which are distinguished by their expandable cheeck pouches, which reach from their cheeks to their shoulders.
Hamsters commonly kept as pets or used in lab research
- Syrian hamster (Golden hamster) - Mesocricetus auratus
- Some breeds of Syrians are known as a teddy bear hamsters, standard hamsters, fancy hamsters, or black bear hamsters.
- All Syrian hamsters were originally from Syria. They may now be extinct in nature, but are popular as house pets all across the world. Adults grow to about 6" to 7" in length, and in captivity will usually live from 2 to 3 years.
- Dwarf Campbells Russian Hamster - Phodopus campbelli
- Sometimes known as a Dzungarian (Djungarina) hamster.
- Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster - Phodopus sungorus
- This species is also known as the Sieberian hamster; it is also sometimes called a Dzungarian (Djungarian) hamster.
Hamsters rarely kept as pets
- Chinese hamster - Cricetulus griseus
- Due to their small size, these are commonly, but inaccurately referred to as a type of dwarf hamster. This is incorrect. They are not closely related to the dwarf hamster species, and are actually known as "rat-like" hamsters.
- Roborovski Hamster - Phodopus roborovskii
Hamsters not kept as pets, but which exist in the wild
- European field hamster - Cricetus cricetus
- Also called the common field hamster and the black bellied hamster.
- They are indigenous to Europe. They are endangered in nature, and are not kept as pets.
- Rumanian Hamster - Mesocricetus newtoni
- Also called the Romanian Hamster
- Turkish Hamster - Mesocricetus brandti
- Also called the Brandts' Hamster
- Ciscaucasian Hamster - Mesocricetus raddei
- Also called the Georgian Hamster
- Ladak Hamster - Cricetulus alticola
- Chinese Striped Hamster - Cricetulus barabensis
- Mongolian Hamster - Cricetulus curtatus
- Eversmann's Hamster - Cricetulus eversmanni
- Tibetan Hamster - ???
- Lesser Longtailed Hamster - Cricetulus longicaudatus
- Armenian Hamster - Cricetulus migratorius
- Also called the Migratory Grey Hamster
- Greater Longtailed Hamster - Cricetulus triton
- Also called the Korean Hamster
- Cricetulus obscurus (Is there a common name for this hamster?)
- 'Cricetulus pseudogriseus (Is there a common name for this hamster?)
- Mouse-Like Hamster - Calomyscus bailwardi
- Sub-species of the mouse-like hamster include: C. bailwardi baluchi, C. bailwardi mystax, C. bailwardi urartensis
Animals that are not really hamsters
Note that there are some rodents sometimes called "hamsters" that are not part of the hamster family. These rodents include
- South African Hamster (Mystromys albicaudatus), which is really the White Tailed Mouse
- Maned hamster, or Crested hamster, which is really the Maned rat.
Links
About Hamsters on Petwebsite.Com
California Hamster Association
Hamsters Galore! Community website
Alt.Pets.Hamsters Usenet Newsgroup FAQ
/Talk