The Golden Hamster or Syrian Hamster were found roughly translates to "mister are about eight weeks old,

are about eight weeks old, at which point they will

(Mesocricetus auratus) is a member of the subfamily saddlebags” (due to the amount of storage space in become territorial and fight with one another,
Cricetinae, the hamsters. In the wild, they are now their cheek pouches. If food is plentiful, the hamster sometimes to the death. Infanticide is not
considered vulnerable. Their natural geographical stores it in large amounts. uncommon among female Syrian hamsters. In
range is limited to the north of Syria and the south of captivity, they may kill and eat healthy young as a
Turkey, in arid habitats. Their numbers have been result of the pups interacting with humans, for any
declining due to loss of habitat caused by agriculture foreign scent is treated as a threat. Females also eat
and deliberate destruction by humans. However, their dead young in the wild to prevent predators
captive-breeding programs are well established, and detecting them. Syrian hamsters mark their burrows
captivebred Syrian hamsters are often kept as pets. with secretions from special scent glands on their
They are also used as scientific research animals hips. Male hamsters in particular lick their bodies
throughout the world. near the glands, creating damp spots on the fur,
then drag their sides along objects to mark their
territory. Females also use bodily secretions and
Biology feces.
Sexually mature female hamsters come into
The size of adult animals ranges from 5 to 7
season (estrus) every four days. Syrian hamsters
in (13 to 18 cm) long, with a lifespan of two to three
have the shortest gestation period in any known Syrian hamster care
years (3–4 years in domestic homes, 2–3 years in the
placental mammal at only 16 days. Gestation has
wild). Body mass is in the range of 120- 125 g. Syrian hamsters are popular as house pets
been known to last up to 21 days, but this is rare and
due to their docile, inquisitive nature, cuteness, and
almost always includes complications. They can
small size. However, these animals have some
produce large litters of 20 or more young, although
special requirements that must be met for them to
the average litter size is between eight and 10 pups.
be healthy. Although some people think of them as a
If a mother hamster is inexperienced or feels
pet for young children, the American Society for the
threatened, she may abandon or eat her pups. A
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends
female hamster enters estrus almost immediately
hamsters as pets only for people over age 6 and the
after giving birth, and can become pregnant despite
child should be supervised by an adult. Cages should
already having a litter. This act puts stress on the
be a suitable size, safe, comfortable, and interesting.
mother's body and often results in very weak and
If a hamster is consistently chewing, then it needs
undernourished young.
more stimulation or a larger cage. A variety of toys,
either shop-bought or home-made can help to keep
them Use in animal testing Syrian hamster care
BEHAVIOR entertained. Cardboard tubes and boxes are
Hamsters are very territorial and intolerant stimulating. Golden hamsters are energetic and need
of each other; attacks against each other are space to exercise. A running wheel is a common type
ubiquitous. Exceptions do occur, usually when a of environmental enrichment. Most hamsters in
female and male meet when the female is in heat, American and British pet stores are Syrian hamsters.
Like most members of the subfamily, the but even so, the female may attack the male after Originally, Syrian hamsters occurred in just one color
Syrian hamster has expandable cheek pouches, mating. Even siblings, once mature, may attack one — the mixture of brown, black, and gold, but they
which extend from its cheeks to its shoulders. In the another. In captivity, babies are separated from their have since developed a variety of color and pattern
wild, hamsters are larder hoarders; they use their mother and by gender after four weeks, as they mutations, including cream, white, blonde,
cheek pouches to transport food to their burrows. sexually mature at four to five weeks old. Same-sex cinnamon, tortoiseshell, black, three different
Their name in the local Arabic dialect where they groups of siblings can stay with each other until they shades of gray, dominant spot, banded, and dilute.