The Origins Of The Hamster Baffle Taxonomists
Hamsters are classified in the Order Rodentia. Further classification differs as the origins of the hamster is disputed by experts. Rodents are characterized by continuously growing incisors. There is a pair in both the top and bottom jaws. Continual gnawing stops the incisors from becoming too long. It is important that pet rodents have safe material on which to chew.
Further up the taxonomic scale, hamsters are mammals under the subfamily Cricetinae. This subfamily contains six or seven genera and about 25 species. Although first described scientifically around 1839, Syrian or golden hamsters weren't bred in captivity until about a hundred years later. Its taxonomic name is Mesocricetus auratus.
The first Syrian pair to be captured were siblings. All domesticated Syrians or golden hamsters appear to have come from this first pair imported from Syria in 1930. When exported to the USA years later, the little animals become an extremely popular domestic pet. They are also favored as laboratory animals.
The European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) and the Chinese hamster both belong to the same genus. Chinese hamsters have a rat-like face, are lighter than a Syrian and quite delicate. They are also very timid. Russian or Campbell's dwarf hamsters are very similar to the Siberian, also called the striped hairy-footed or Winter White. The smallest of the pet species is the Roborovski. These three types belong to the genus Phodopus.
Wild hamsters are said to be crepuscular. This means most of their activity takes place around dawn and dusk. During the day they hide from predators in burrows which they have tunneled into the earth. Apart from an occasional insect, they live on seeds, greens and fruit. Hamsters are color blind and near-sighted. To help them find their way around, they scent-mark paths so they can find their way back to their burrows. Their hearing is very acute.
Hibernation is practiced by wild hamsters. The metabolic rate drops by ninety-five percent. Food requirements are drastically reduced. Some do not hibernate but go into a state called torpor. The physiological systems slow markedly for short periods. Despite the popularity of the hamster as a pet, taxonomists are still not in agreement about the origins of the hamster. Different classifications may be used.
Further up the taxonomic scale, hamsters are mammals under the subfamily Cricetinae. This subfamily contains six or seven genera and about 25 species. Although first described scientifically around 1839, Syrian or golden hamsters weren't bred in captivity until about a hundred years later. Its taxonomic name is Mesocricetus auratus.
The first Syrian pair to be captured were siblings. All domesticated Syrians or golden hamsters appear to have come from this first pair imported from Syria in 1930. When exported to the USA years later, the little animals become an extremely popular domestic pet. They are also favored as laboratory animals.
The European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) and the Chinese hamster both belong to the same genus. Chinese hamsters have a rat-like face, are lighter than a Syrian and quite delicate. They are also very timid. Russian or Campbell's dwarf hamsters are very similar to the Siberian, also called the striped hairy-footed or Winter White. The smallest of the pet species is the Roborovski. These three types belong to the genus Phodopus.
Wild hamsters are said to be crepuscular. This means most of their activity takes place around dawn and dusk. During the day they hide from predators in burrows which they have tunneled into the earth. Apart from an occasional insect, they live on seeds, greens and fruit. Hamsters are color blind and near-sighted. To help them find their way around, they scent-mark paths so they can find their way back to their burrows. Their hearing is very acute.
Hibernation is practiced by wild hamsters. The metabolic rate drops by ninety-five percent. Food requirements are drastically reduced. Some do not hibernate but go into a state called torpor. The physiological systems slow markedly for short periods. Despite the popularity of the hamster as a pet, taxonomists are still not in agreement about the origins of the hamster. Different classifications may be used.
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