Head to head
Syrian Hamster vs European Hamster
Syrian Hamster
VS European Hamster
The Syrian hamster and European hamster are both wild hamsters of dry, open country, but one is a household pet and the other a large farmland animal whose wild populations are collapsing.
| Syrian Hamster | European Hamster | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Mesocricetus auratus | Cricetus cricetus |
| Size | A familiar pet-sized hamster | Around 20 to 30 cm, far bigger than a pet hamster |
| Coat | Golden-brown | Reddish-brown back, white patches, and a black belly |
| Food storage | Stretchy cheek pouches carry food to its burrow | Hoards large amounts of grain in its burrow |
| Winter | Not documented | Hibernates, waking at intervals to eat its store |
| Habitat | Dry grassland and steppe | Fields, meadows, and field margins |
| Native range | A small part of Syria and southern Turkey | Western Europe across Eastern Europe into western Asia |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable | Critically Endangered |
Syrian Hamster vs European Hamster: common questions
Which is bigger, the Syrian hamster or the European hamster?
The European hamster, which reaches around 20 to 30 cm in length, far larger than the pet-sized Syrian hamster.
Why does the European hamster have a black belly?
Its black underside is unusual among mammals, most of which are lighter below, and forms part of a bold pattern with a reddish-brown back and white patches.
Which is more endangered, the Syrian hamster or the European hamster?
The European hamster, which is Critically Endangered because intensive farming has removed its food and cover, while the Syrian hamster is Vulnerable.