Mammals
Syrian Hamster
Mesocricetus auratus · also called golden hamster
Stuffing its cheek pouches with seeds before scurrying back to its burrow, a Syrian hamster does what its wild ancestors did on the dry slopes near Aleppo, though almost every one alive today descends from a single litter caught in 1930.
Overview
The Syrian hamster, Mesocricetus auratus, is a Vulnerable rodent native to a small part of Syria and southern Turkey. Its elastic cheek pouches, solitary burrowing life, and extraordinary origin as the ancestor of nearly all pet hamsters make it one of the most familiar and unusual small mammals in the world.
A pet world built on one litter
Millions of Syrian hamsters kept around the world trace back to a single mother and her pups, a striking contrast with the scarcity of the species in its native range.
Status
Vulnerable, with wild populations declining because of agriculture, pest control, and capture.
Syrian Hamster: common questions
Where do pet Syrian hamsters come from?
Nearly all of them descend from a single mother and her litter captured near Aleppo, Syria, in 1930.
Why can't Syrian hamsters live together?
They are solitary and territorial, defending their burrow, so adults housed together tend to fight.
What are a Syrian hamster's cheek pouches for?
They are elastic pouches that the hamster stuffs with food to carry back to its burrow and store.
Are Syrian hamsters common in the wild?
No, wild populations in Syria and neighbouring areas are small and have declined, even though captive hamsters are kept worldwide.