Golden Hamsterゴールデンハムスター
Mesocricetus auratusEN— Endangered
The golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is a small, nocturnal rodent native to a narrow arid range in northern Syria and southern Turkey. Every golden hamster kept as a pet or lab animal today descends from a single female captured with her litter in 1930. While abundant in captivity, wild populations are classified as Endangered by the IUCN due to habitat loss.
Golden Hamster (reference photo)
Species Data
- Classification
- Rodentia / Cricetidae Source
- Size
- 14–18 cm
- Weight
- About 100–200 g (around 150 g is typical in captivity)
- Lifespan
- Captive: 2–3 years
- Diet
- Omnivore Omnivore leaning herbivorous, eating leaves, stems, roots, seeds, and fruit, and sometimes insects and animals smaller than itself
- Activity
- Nocturnal
- Distribution
- Native to an arid region of northern Syria and southern Turkey, inhabiting steppe, farmland, and semi-desert. Wild populations are now considered endangered due to habitat loss and persecution. Source
- Sources
- ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
Did You Know?
- Every golden hamster kept today descends from a single female and her 12 pups captured in Syria in 1930. Source
- Its gestation period is roughly 16 days, among the shortest of any placental mammal. Source
- It was first imported to Japan from the United States around 1939 and became established as a pet from around 1965. Source
Where to See This Species
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 0
Verified individual animals and facilities will be added as official information becomes available.
Conservation Story
Conservation Status
Endangered (EN)
Sources
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FAQ
- Are golden hamsters endangered in the wild?
- Yes. Despite being extremely common as pets, wild golden hamsters are classified as Endangered due to habitat loss and persecution in their native Syria and Turkey. Source
- How long do golden hamsters live?
- In captivity they typically live 2 to 3 years. Source
- How many operating facilities are registered here?
- Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 0 Source
Books & gear
Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org