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 that grow to between 82 and 127 mm in body length and can weigh from 1.7 grams at birth to 30–45 grams when older. They have a long, thin body compared to other hamsters and a relatively long tail, which helps set them apart. 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 to some people. Like most hamsters, Chinese hamsters prefer to live alone.

Taxonomy

The Chinese hamster is a special type of rodent, and scientists aren't completely sure how to name it. Some say it is its own species, called C. griseus, while others think it is closely related to the Chinese striped hamster, and call it C. b. griseus. The Chinese striped hamster would then be called C. b. barabensis. Both types of hamster are interesting to learn about!

Domestication

Chinese hamsters were first used as lab animals but are now mostly kept as pets, though 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 featured in the speculative evolution project Hamster's Paradise.