HISTORY

Lifespan

In the wild, hamsters hide in their burrows until dusk when it is safe to exit. They feed on generally on seeds, fruits and vegetables, and sometimes insects.

Behavior

Homes and Habitats

Syrian hamsters are well known for being the largest and most commonly known/owned species. They can have many variations of fur colours that many pet stores will call Teddy Bear, Panda Bear, Golden, etc. These are not separate species or breeds, just different colours, similar to your hair colour or skin colour. A small minority of Syrians may have red eyes. This does not mean the hamster has a disease or is sick, it is just the way their eye pigment is. It is important to not discriminate against this, as it would be unfair for a hamster, just like it would be for a person. Other hamster species can have different eye colours as well, they can also have brown, dark blue, light brown, and even pink eyes. Syrian hamsters also come in different fur lengths, which will require special care. Long hair Syrians will require grooming to prevent matting & tangles. 

​​In 1839,  George Robert Waterhouse first described the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Exactly 100 years later was when they were successfully bred & kept as pets.

Syrian hamsters, on average, can live from about 2-3 years of age, though some may live for 4 or even 5 years.

Some Syrian hamsters can grow longer hair than most. These hamsters are known as long-haired Syrians. A long-haired Syrian does not need to be bathed ( they should be provided a sand bath inside their enclosure ), nor do they need their fur cut. A Syrian hamster can take care of their locks on their own, though it would not hurt to comb them with a rabbit or ferret comb. This should only occur when the hamsters fur seems to be tangled or dirty.

​Shorthair & longhair

Appearance

Syrian hamsters are generally slower and calmer ( though pups are very energetic until about one year of age, and some may surpass this ), mostly due to their size. This makes them a great choice for beginners or young children. They are very tamable and most enjoy human companions. They do not enjoy companionship of other hamsters, though, as in only very rare cases do they get along with other hamsters. They should be kept solitary, even from cage mates, as they can get very aggressive and hurt or kill their cage mate. Given the previous information, it is understood that every hamster is different with its own unique personality, so some may be more hesitant or skittish than others.