The Syrian Hamster

 

 

The Syrian hamster (mesocricetus auratus), is the most common species of hamster kept in captivity. Syrian hamsters are also the largest species of hamster among the domestic species. Syrian hamsters are solitary, which means they must live alone. In captivity for some reason, people think it is ok to cage multiple Syrians together. This is absolutely incorrect, in the wild Syrian hamsters live alone (except for the 8-10 weeks while they are caring for their young). So why would you go against nature and keep your Syrians together? No matter the circumstances, Syrians MUST live alone because they are very irriatble with others of their kind and will attack or kill other hamsters. 

 

History: The Syrian hamster was first discovered by British zoologist George Robert Waterhouse on April 12 in 1839. Waterhouse gave them the Latin name Cricetus Auratus meaning Golden Hair. In that time, all Syrian hamsters had a golden brown color; Syrian hamsters did not develop the fur colors and patterns we see today until after years of being bred in captiviy. Around 1930, Israel Aharoni, who was a zoologist and professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found a mother and her litter of hamsters in Aleppo, which is located in the northwestern Syrian desert. By the time he got back to his lab, most had died or escaped. The remaining hamsters were given to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, where they were successfully bred as Golden Hamsters. They were a bit bigger than the ones Waterhouse found, so they were named "Mesocricetus auratus", although they were probably the same species. The hamsters were shipped to labs all around the world. They arrived in the United Kingdom in 1931, and finally reached the United States in 1938. Just about all Syrian hamsters  descended from the original litter found in Syria. A separate stock of hamsters was imported into the U.S. in 1971, but it isn't known if any of today's North American hamsters descended from them. 

 

Common Misunderstandings: Have you ever walked into a pet store, peeked at the hamsters, then find yourself wondering what kind of hamsters you are seeing, because there are so many confusing names you have never heard of? This does not suprise me at all. It is very common for pet stores to give their hamsters -especially Syrians- false names. Some false, yet common names that pet stores give their Syrians are :

• Teddy Bear hamster

• Black Bear hamster

• Panda Bear hamster

• Golden hamster

• Fancy Bear hamster

I have no idea where people get these names, clearly they are false. I've also seen pet stores classify the hamster type by legnth of fur, and fur color. Do not be fooled by that, Syrians have a very wide variety of fur types, patterns, and colors, which does not determine their type. 

 

Fur types, Patterns, and Colors: Out of all the hamster species, the Syrian hamster has the widest variety of fur types, colors and patterns. The Syrian hamster is known for its many, many colors. Syrian hamsters come in golden, cream, black, chocolate, dove, gray, cinnamon, rust, sable, silver, and silver-gray. Syrian hamsters have a vast range of fur patterns, such as solid, banded, tuxedo, tortioseshell, recessive dapple, dominant spot, and roan. Fur types among Syrians consist of short haired, long haired (angora), satin, umbrous, and rex. There are more fur types, patterns, and colors out there that I may have missed. 

 

Common Information:  Syrian hamsters are very interesting animals they are somewhat similar, yet very different from the other species of hamsters. 

• Syrian hamsters are generally 5-7 inches long (males usually larger than females)

• Their average lifespan  2-3 years, some hamsters may live longer

• A healthy weight is generally 100-200 grams, there is really no exact number because all hamsters are different, so if your hamster seems happy, healthy, and active then they are at a good weight.

• Syrian hamsters have scent glands on their hips, so to mark their territory they rub their hips on their cage, toys, etc.  

• Syrian Hamsters are nocturnal. 

I may have missed a few important details, so if you have any questions, be sure to ask!