# Mesocricetus The Mesocricetus, also known as the golden hamster, is a small, furry pet that loves to run and play. They have cute little cheeks that can store food, making them fun to watch! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Desert - **Also known as:** Golden Hamster, Syrian Hamster ![Mesocricetus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Mesocricetus_auratus_%28golden%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Firelord at English Wikipedia, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mesocricetus_auratus_%28golden%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Mesocricetus is a stocky rodent with a short tail, typically adorned with rich golden-brown fur on its back and white underparts. Its small, dark eyes and prominent cheek pouches make it distinctly recognizable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Cricetidae - **Genus:** Mesocricetus ## Interesting facts - A mother hamster can give birth every three weeks! - Hamsters have terrible eyesight, relying on whiskers and smell. - Their teeth never stop growing, so they chew constantly! - Wild golden hamsters were once thought to be extinct! ## Special abilities - **Master Burrower:** Mesocricetus can dig complex burrows with multiple chambers, providing safe shelter from predators and harsh weather. - **Scent Mapper:** Mesocricetus uses hip scent glands to mark territory, helping it navigate and find its way home. - **Energy Saver:** Mesocricetus can enter a state of torpor, conserving energy by slowing its heart rate during cold periods. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-18 cm - **Weight:** 0.1-0.2 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-3 years - **Speed:** 7 km/h - **Litter Size:** 4-12 - **Gestation:** 16-18 days ## Diet & Feeding A tiny omnivore munching on seeds, grains, fruits, and even insects. - **Primary Foods:** Seeds, Grains, Fruits, Roots, Insects - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Foxes are common predators, digging into burrows for hamsters. - **Eaten by:** [Common Buzzard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-buzzard) (*Buteo buteo*) — Buzzards snatch hamsters from above, especially at dawn or dusk. - **Eats:** Common Wheat (*Triticum aestivum*) — Hamsters collect and store wheat seeds, a primary food source. - **Eats:** African Field Cricket (*Gryllus bimaculatus*) — Hamsters supplement their diet by hunting small insects like crickets. ## Traits - [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. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [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. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [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:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after playing with a hamster and be gentle when holding them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Mesocricetus? 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 Mesocricetus? 12-18 cm ### How much does Mesocricetus weigh? 0.1-0.2 kg ### How long does Mesocricetus live? 2-3 years ### How fast can Mesocricetus move? 7 km/h ### What does Mesocricetus eat? A tiny omnivore munching on seeds, grains, fruits, and even insects. ### Where is Mesocricetus usually found? Desert ### How does Mesocricetus hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Mesocricetus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mesocricetus)