What are some hamster facts?

• A hamster's average life span is about 2-3 years. They have been known to live 3-4 years.

• Syrian (also known as Golden, Fancy, or Teddy Bear) hamsters are solitary animals and will not live peacefully with other hamsters past 8-10 weeks of age. They should always be housed separately.

• The gestation period of a Syrian hamster is about 16 days.

• Black Bear hamsters are a genetic mutation of the Syrian hamster. It is not a different species.

• Domestication of the hamster began in 1930 when a zoologist found one mother and twelve young hamsters in the Syrian Desert (to the North of Israel).

• One of the hamster characteristics is the ability to stuff its cheek pouches with food….sometimes an amazing amount for one little hamster!

• The hamster gets its name from a German word for storing food.

• Hamsters usually have from 4-12 young at one time.

• There are 4 basic types of hamsters: Syrian, Russian Dwarf, Chinese and Roborovski hamsters.

Source: kritterfacts.com