Hamster

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• Cricetus
• Mesocricetus
• Cricetulus
• Phodopus

A hamster (German) is a rodent belonging to subfamily Cricetinae. The subfamily contains about 18 species, classified in six or seven genera. Most have expandable cheek pouches, which reach from their cheeks to their shoulders. Hamsters are sometimes used in lab experiments (because they can reproduce quickly), along with rats, mice, and many other rodents.

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The best known species is the Syrian Hamster, also known as the Golden Hamster, Mesocricetus auratus, which is commonly kept as a pet. Two other varieties of hamster are also growing in popularity as pets, the closely related Dwarf Campbell's Russian (Phodopus campbelli) and the Winter White Russian Hamsters (P. sungorus). Two further species (the Chinese Hamster Cricetulus curtatus and the Roborovski Hamster (Phodopus roborovskii) can be found on occasion. Also extremely popular since its discovery around 1985 or 1986 is a mutation of the Syrian Hamster known as the "Black Bear" hamster; more docile than most hamsters, it is black with a white patch of fur at the neck. The reported docility of the Black Bear hamster is not however related to the black color, but rather to the more careful breeding of these animals. A badly bred "Black Bear" hamster can be just as aggressive as a normal golden hamster.

Hamster: Species of hamsters ►



 

Subfamily: REDIRECT Family (biology)...

Species: In biology, the most commonly used definition of species was first coined by Ernst Mayr. Species are "groups of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations which are reproductively isolated from other such groups" (however, see other definitions of species below)....

Genera: REDIRECT Genus...




Hamster related Images and Photos (experimental)

Dwarf Hamster

Young Dwarf Hamster Eating Millet

Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Babies Case

Littlest Pet Shop Hamster Playground Playset