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Are you looking for some hamster facts? We love fun facts about hamsters. That’s why we’ve put together this article… to share some of our favourite hamster facts with you!
So, in no particular order, here are our top 10 fun facts about hamsters…
Hamster Fact #1: Hamsters are “crepuscular”
This means that hamsters are not diurnal (active during the daytime, like humans), or nocturnal (active at night, like owls), but rather “crepuscular”, which means they are most active during the twilight hours.
Wild hamsters generally leave their burrows shortly before the sun goes down and return once it gets dark.
Hamster Fact #2: The largest type of hamster can grow to 13 inches (33cm) long
A type of hamster called the European Hamster is the largest of the hamster species. They can grow to an incredible 13 inches long!
Hamster Fact #3: The smallest type of hamster is just 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10cm) long
Roborovski Dwarf hamsters are the smallest type of hamster. Adult Roborovski Dwarf hamsters sometimes grow to as little as 2 inches long.
Hamster Fact #4: Hamsters can store food in their cheeks, then eat it later!
If a hamster finds food but isn’t comfortable eating it in its current location (for example – if it feels vulnerable to predators) then it will store the food in its cheeks and run to a safe place before starting to eat.
Hamster Fact #5: There are five different hamster species often kept as pets
The five hamster species most commonly kept as pets are: Roborovski, Syrian, Campbell’s Dwarf, Chinese and Winter White Russian Dwarf hamsters.
Hamster Fact #6: Hamsters are omnivores
People often think that hamsters are vegetarian, but they’re actually omnivores.
In the wild, hamsters have been known to hunt and eat insects.
Find out more about what hamsters eat.
Hamster Fact #7: Hamsters can live for up to 4 years.
The average hamster life span is around 2 to 2.5 years. However, Roborovski hamsters often live to over 3 years, and 4 year old hamsters are rare but not unheard of. Find out more about the hamster life span.
Hamster Fact #8: Hamsters are born blind
Hamster babies (known as ‘pups’) cannot open their eyes until around two weeks after birth.
Hamster Fact #9: Hamster’s incisor teeth never stop growing
Have you ever wondered why hamsters like to chew things so much? It’s because their front teeth (their incisors) never stop growing!
If your hamster didn’t chew on things – like carrots or the bars of their cage – then its teeth would grow so long that it would struggle to open its mouth to eat properly.
You might want to consider buying a chew toy for your hamster.
Hamster Fact #10: Hamsters can have up to 24 babies at a time!
Hamsters breed in the spring and summer and will produce several litters per year. The average litter size is around 7 pups (babies), however, it is possible for some hamsters to have up to 24 pups in one litter! Find out more about pregnancy in hamsters.
Do you have any fun facts about hamsters to share with us? Add a comment below and let us know your favourite hamster facts!