They were discovered in 1839 by
British zoologist George Robert Waterhouse
, who named the animal Mesocricetus auratus, meaning Golden Hair. This is why the Syrian Hamster is commonly known as the Golden Hamster.
Where did the first hamster come from?
Hamster habitat
The first hamsters were discovered in
Syria
, though they also live in Greece, Romania, Belgium and northern China. In the wild, they like to live in warm, dry areas, like steppes, sand dunes and the edges of deserts.
When did you get first hamster?
Put your hamster in his cage straightaway, and then simply leave him alone for a few hours. During the
first week
, make sure the hamster has food and water, and don't spend hours gazing through the bars at him – just hang around for a few minutes when he's up and about, to help him get used to you.
Are hamsters found in the wild?
Wild hamsters are found
throughout much of Europe and Asia
. All hamsters are nocturnal, or active at night. They have terrible eyesight but their senses of smell and touch, as well as their whiskers, help them navigate. Take a look at how the black-bellied hamster compares to a common pet hamster.
What is the oldest hamster in the world?
Our current record for the oldest hamster ever was
4.5 years old
, owned by Karen Smeaton of Tyne & Wear, UK.
What are teddy bear hamsters?
What is a teddy bear hamster? A teddy bear hamster is also known as a
long-haired Syrian hamster
. These small creatures grow to 6 inches long and weigh up to 5.3 ounces. They got their name from their similarity to a teddy bear with large ears, small dark eyes, and a tiny nose.
Are hamsters smart?
Hamsters are intelligent creatures who can even learn their name
. If you talk to your hamster and use their name frequently enough to get them used to hearing it, they might even learn to come when called. … Hamsters can be easily startled.
Do hamster bites hurt?
It's rare for a hamster to actually be aggressive, though, and they typically only bite when they get scared. Those tiny teeth may not do as much damage as those of other animals, but
a bite will hurt and should be discouraged
. Fortunately, you can gradually train your hamster to accept being handled and stop biting.
What time do hamsters wake up?
Hamster's usually wake up @,
7:00, 7:30, 8:00, or 8:30
. It depends on how much sleep your hamster got, and how active he/she was, the night before.
What should I know before buying a hamster?
- Males and females should not be housed together.
- Syrians shouldn't be housed together at all.
- They need a lot of exercise.
- They're nocturnal.
- They dislike loud noises.
- Pet shop owners often make mistakes.
- They're timid.
- They're omnivores.
Can hamsters see in the dark?
They can't see in complete darkness
. As with humans, their eyes must receive some light to be able to make out objects. In general, hamsters see best in dim light. … Because of their poor eyesight, hamsters tend to use their other senses more often.
Why do hamsters eat their babies?
If a hamster is feeling excessively stressed
, then it may eat its babies. … Fear: It is normal for mothers of many species to want to protect their young, and hamsters are no exception. But when hamsters are scared or fearful, this emotion can result in killing and eating their own young.
Why does a hamster run on a wheel?
Hamsters eat a variety of foods such as sunflower seeds that are high in energy content. These foods make them hyperactive and they take to running on the wheel
to burn off excess energy
. If the exercise wheel is the only “equipment” in the cage, it is likely that your hamster will suffer from wheel addiction.
What is oldest living thing on earth?
Methuselah
, a bristlecone pine in the White Mountains of California, stands at the ripe old age of about 5,000, making it the oldest known non-cloned organism on Earth.
How old is a hamster in human years?
Hamsters live about 3 years, so
1 year for us is 26 hamster years
. That sounds like one busy year. Wee ones: If a “cat year” is 8 years and a “rabbit year” is 1 year longer, how long is a rabbit year?
What is the longest human lifespan?
According to this criterion, the longest human lifespan is that of Jeanne Calment of France (1875–1997), who lived to age
122 years and 164 days
.
