Where Do Hamsters Live in the Wild? Origins & Facts (Vet-Reviewed)
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Hamsters are definitely among the most popular pocket pets. Children commonly own one as a first pet, but hamsters require gentle and specific care. But have you ever wondered where hamsters come from?
Most species of hamsters originated in the meadows, deserts, and forests of Asia, as well as the Middle East and Southeast Europe. Today, hamsters are bred just about everywhere, but there are still several wild hamsters in different parts of the world.
If you’re interested in learning more about wild hamsters, we give you the details about their natural habitats and how these little critters survive in nature.
Where Do Wild Hamsters Live?
There are about 24 species of hamsters 1, and they can be as small as 2 inches and as big as 12.5 inches. Out of these 24, five species are commonly kept as pets.
The first wild hamsters were discovered in Asia, Europe, and northern China in countries like Belgium, Syria, Greece, and Romania, and they can still be found in those areas.
Habitat
For the most part, hamsters live in dry and warm regions, which include dunes, sparse rocky areas, the edges of deserts, and mountainous steppes (arid, grassy plains).
Hamsters dig burrows, which enable them to stay cool during hot weather, and they are also nocturnal.
Since hamsters sleep during the day, their eyesight isn’t the greatest, so they rely on their excellent sense of smell to navigate.
Hamsters have a scent gland on their backs, and they leave a trail when exploring by rubbing their backs on objects; this way, they can find their way back. Their whiskers also help them to navigate through touch.
What Hamsters Eat in the Wild
Wild hamsters subsist primarily on seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and other plant matter. They are omnivorous, so they also eat insects, lizards, and possibly other animals they come across. Larger prey is for larger hamsters.
A Short History of the Domestication of Syrian Hamsters
In 1930, archaeologist Israel Aharoni found a nest of Syrian hamsters in Aleppo, Syria. The mother and her pups were taken to a lab in Israel and were interbred, and the young hamsters were exported to other parts of the world as part of the pet trade. That’s how it all began!
The Differences Between Wild and Domestic Hamsters
Not all hamster species are considered domesticated, and many of the species kept as pets today are considered exotic pets and are not truly domesticated species. The push to designate the Syrian hamster as a domesticated pet in the US was driven by Albert Marsh of Mobile, Alabama to counteract their illegality. Their designation as a domesticated pet is not agreed on by all today, and the wild Syrian hamsters are endangered. The disagreement comes from the fact that many believe that Syrian hamsters do not meet the four criteria of domestication.
As exotic pets, they’re known to presumably live longer than their wild counterparts, and they also have more color variations due to their selective breeding programs.
Status of Wild Hamsters
Most wild hamster species are low in number in their natural habitats, particularly the Golden Hamster (otherwise known as the Syrian Hamster).
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Golden Hamster is endangered, and the population is decreasing. This is primarily due to habitat loss and the hunting and killing of these animals.
The Common Hamster, also known as the European Hamster, is critically endangered, and the population is also decreasing. This is due to hunting, loss of habitat, climate change, and pollution. It’s believed that they are no longer found in 75% of their European habitat.
Conclusion
Wild hamsters are only found in specific locations in the Middle East, Asia, and Southeast Europe, and their numbers have dwindled. However, observing wild hamsters gives us a better idea of why our hamsters do a few of the things that they do.
See also:
- How to Find a Lost Hamster Quickly: 12 Expert Tips
- Can Hamsters Survive in the Wild? Domestic Rodent Facts