What Are Panda Bear Hamsters?

A domesticated animal almost never seen in the wild, the panda bear hamster is a small rodent often kept as a low-maintenance pet. Not surprisingly, the panda bear hamster is closely related to the teddy bear hamster and the black bear hamster, all of which are classified as Syrian hamsters.

  1. Class and Origin

    • Distantly related to voles, New World mice and lemmings, the panda bear hamster is included in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Rodentia, family Cricetidae and the genus and species Mesocricetus auratus. Originating in Syria, records of these hamsters date back to 1839. All modern Syrian hamsters are descended from a small group of such animals that were captured in 1930 and subsequently domesticated and bred as pets and laboratory animals.

    Appearance

    • Like the other "bear" hamsters, the panda bear hamster gained its nickname due to its unique fur coloring. With a black head and a body splotched white and black, it looks like a miniature version of the rare Chinese panda bear. Unlike its huge namesake, however, the panda bear hamster measures only about 6 inches long and weighs little more than 5 oz. Small though it is, the panda bear hamster is considered one of the larger hamster breeds. It has short hair, a short tail, a chunky body and large cheek pouches for storing food.

    Personality

    • Typically not a social animal, the panda bear hamster prefers to live alone in its cage and enjoys occasional solitude even from its human owners. If startled, it may bite. If adult males are caged together, they will often fight until one kills the other, so they must be separated before reaching maturity. The Syrian hamster is, however, both curious and active. It enjoys interactive toys, such as balls and chew toys, as well as a sturdy exercise wheel made for a large hamster.

    Care

    • A nocturnal animal, the hamster typically sleeps during the day and explores and exercises during the night. It can thrive on a diet of pellet food made specifically for hamsters and fresh foods such as carrots, celery, berries, walnuts and whole grains. Like other hamsters, panda hamsters also require water, usually fed through a water bottle, a routinely cleaned cage and an enclosure or house in which to "hide" for privacy inside the cage. Any human handling a panda bear hamster must do so gently, mindful of its size and delicate body. With proper care, the hamster may live about three years.