Chinese hamster

The Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus or Cricetulus barabensis griseus) is a small rodent that lives in the deserts of northern China and Mongolia. It belongs to the genus Cricetulus in the family Cricetidae. One special feature of the Chinese hamster is its long tail, which is much longer than the tails of most other hamsters.

Chinese hamsters are mostly nocturnal, meaning they are active mostly at night. Even so, they can sometimes stay awake during the day for short periods between their naps. These little animals are interesting to scientists and pet lovers alike because of their unique looks and behaviors.

Description

Chinese hamsters are small rodents. They grow to between 82 and 127 mm long and weigh from 1.7 grams when born to 30–45 grams when older. They have a long, thin body and a relatively long tail, which makes them look different from other hamsters. On average, they live for two to three years.

In the wild, Chinese hamsters have brown fur with a black stripe along their back, some black and grey spots, and a whitish belly. Because of their slender shape and longer tail, they might look a bit like mice. Like most hamsters, Chinese hamsters prefer to live alone.

Taxonomy

The Chinese hamster is a special kind of rodent. Scientists are not sure how to name it. Some think it is its own species, called C. griseus. Others think it is very close to the Chinese striped hamster, and call it C. b. griseus. The Chinese striped hamster would then be called C. b. barabensis. Both kinds of hamsters are interesting to learn about!

Domestication

Chinese hamsters were first used as lab animals but are now mostly kept as pets. They are not the most common pet hamster species in North America.

When kept as pets, female Chinese hamsters are often chosen, while males are used for breeding. They can be nervous at first but become calm and gentle once tamed. One cute habit they have is clinging to a handler’s finger with all four paws, similar to a harvest mouse. Some U.S. states, like California and New Jersey, require special permits to own them because they are considered pest animals or exotic animals.

There are three main color varieties of domesticated Chinese hamsters: normal or wild type, dominant spot (spotted white), and black-eyed white. The dominant spot variety is common in pet stores in the United Kingdom, while the black-eyed white is very rare and mostly found with hobbyist breeders in the U.K..

In media

The Chinese dwarf hamster is the main animal in the project Hamster's Paradise.