Do you love hamsters?
Are you on the lookout for more hamster information?
Find out more about our wonderful pets with these five fun facts with a twist! Just read and enjoy, or click on the links to dive deeper.
#1
Hoard or Horde?
Many fact lists include the fact that the word hamster comes from the German word hamstern which means ‘to hoard’ because of their love of stashing food. However I had a different word in mind: horde. This is the collective noun, the word you would use to describe a group of hamsters.
#2
Breed or Species?
Only five of the species are commonly kept as pets: Mesocricetus auratus (Syrian), Phodopus campbelli (Campbell), Phodopus sungorus (Winter White), Phodopus roborovskii (Roborovski) and Cricetulus barabensis (Chinese).
If you thought the Chinese hamster was Cricetulus griseus, click here to read more about the taxonomy of Chinese hamsters.
#3
Big or Small?
#4
Day or Night?
#5
Vegetarian or Meat-Eater?
Contrary to popular opinion, hamsters are not vegetarian! In the wild, the species commonly kept as pets eat a range of foods including fruit, vegetables, grains, legumes and some animal protein, for example insects. Hamsters in captivity also enjoy a meaty treat – mealworms, crickets or even a little cooked chicken. For more information on treats you can feed your hamster click here.
Do you have a favourite hamster fact? Share it with me below or on the Vectis Hamstery Facebook page!
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