# Hamster (*Mesocricetus auratus*) Hamsters are tiny, furry pets that love to run in wheels and explore tunnels. They usually sleep during the day and are active at night. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Indoor cages with tunnels and hiding spots. ![Hamster](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426070/objects/4362.jpg) ## Appearance The Hamster is a small, stout rodent with short legs, small ears, and a stubby tail. Its fur usually ranges from golden-brown to grey, sometimes with white markings, often appearing pudgy due to its flexible cheek pouches. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Cricetidae - **Genus:** Mesocricetus ## Interesting facts - A baby hamster is called a 'pup' and is born blind and hairless! - Hamsters have very poor eyesight and are colorblind! - Their teeth never stop growing, so they must always gnaw! - Wild hamsters can carry food equal to their own body weight! ## Special abilities - **Cache Master:** Hamster can store food in its giant cheek pouches, helping them carry supplies back to their safe burrow. - **Underground Architect:** Hamster can dig complex burrows because of its strong claws, which provides safe shelter and storage rooms. - **Night Navigator:** Hamster has an excellent sense of smell that helps find buried food and navigate their dark environment. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 5-18 cm - **Weight:** 0.02-0.15 kg - **Lifespan:** 1.5-3 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Litter Size:** 4-12 - **Gestation:** 16-30 days ## Diet & Feeding Hamsters are omnivores that eat seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and sometimes insects. - **Primary Foods:** seeds, nuts, grains, fruits, vegetables, insects - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — A common predator in their natural habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Barn Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-owl) (*Tyto alba*) — Hunts hamsters during their nocturnal activity. - **Eats:** Common Wheat (*Triticum aestivum*) — Consumes seeds and grains from cultivated fields. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low They are small and can be delicate, so handle with care. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hamster? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Hamster? 5-18 cm ### How much does Hamster weigh? 0.02-0.15 kg ### How long does Hamster live? 1.5-3 years ### How fast can Hamster move? 5 km/h ### What does Hamster eat? Hamsters are omnivores that eat seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and sometimes insects. ### Where is Hamster usually found? Indoor cages with tunnels and hiding spots. ### How does Hamster hunt? Foraging ## Watch - [Play video: Hamster](https://www.snappit.app/videos/hamster) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=1VkupvF7XCo) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Hamster: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hamster)