| Syrian hamsters (
Mesocricetus
auratus
, golden hamster) are the species most commonly encountered in companion and laboratory animal medicine, although a number of other close relatives have gained popularity in recent years, including the Chinese hamster (
Cricetulus
griseus
), European hamster (
Cricetus
cricetus
, black-bellied hamster), Armenian hamster (
Cricetulus
migratorius
, migratory gray hamster), Djungarian hamster (
Phodopus
sungorus
, Siberian, Russian, or furry-footed hamster), Turkish hamster (
M
brandti
, Brandt’s hamster), and others. Among Syrian hamsters, there are several hair and coat color varieties. Infectious diseases are uncommon compared to other rodent species, but hamsters are susceptible to a wide range of experimentally induced pathogens and oncogenic tumors. Individual pets may often be seen for conditions related to age, trauma, or improper care. |
| Syrian hamster adults average ~6 in. in length and 120 g body wt. The normal lifespan is 18-24 mo. Females are typically larger and more dominant and aggressive than males. Anatomically, hamster cheek pouches are highly distensible components of the lateral buccal walls used primarily to store and transport food. These immunologically privileged sites can easily be evaginated under anesthesia if impaction occurs. Hip or flank glands, more prominent in males, are sebaceous glands
with pigmented cells and terminal hairs that produce oily secretions during sexual arousal in both sexes. These secretions are important for territorial marking. Hamsters are nocturnal and should be well secured in their housing environments to prevent escape. While they do not truly hibernate, hamsters can be induced to enter pseudohibernation at temperatures <41°F (5°C). |
| Aggression may occur with introduction of new hamsters to a group, although same-sex weanlings raised together usually remain compatible. Pregnant females develop a distended abdomen and rapidly gain weight by day 10 of gestation. The relatively immature pups are delivered by day 16 of gestation. Pseudopregnancy may result from infertile matings. |
