Uses for Hamsters

Not all hamsters are the kind people keep as pets, though those are the ones most people are familiar with. Hamsters live in the wild in countries around the world. Syrian hamsters live in the dry and rocky desert regions of the Middle East. Djungarians are primarily in Mongolia, also hot and dry in the daytime, while Siberians or winter whites live in cold, northern climates. These and other hamster varieties are usually nocturnal in their natural habitats.

  1. Types

    • Syrian hamsters are large and are common choice for pets. Many Syrians are a golden brown, though they come in other colors. Dwarf hamsters, also known as Campbell's or Djungarians, are, like their name indicates, much smaller and usually have gray fur. Winter whites, or Siberians, are also on the small side. Their gray coat turns white in winter, a change that serves as protective coloring when they are in their natural habitat. Roborovskis are small and a bit more active and curious than other hamsters. Chinese hamsters are often a little more gentle, though they are also small, with a grayish coat.

    Pets

    • Hamsters are cute and fun to watch.

      Hamsters make suitable house pets for many people. Owners often enjoy building elaborate tunnels and mazes for them to run through. You can keep hamsters in cages with plenty of things for them to play with. Many hamster breeds are solitary animals which, along with their small size, make them convenient pets when space is an issue. Their gentle nature also makes them good pets for children, though like all rodents they do have sharp incisors and you must be careful of accidental bites. If you get hamsters used to being handled when they are young, however, they are less likely to startle or become bad-tempered when they are picked up and played with when they are older.

    Research

    • Scientists use hamsters for research purposes and are the third most commonly used animal for research. The vast majority, 90 percent, of research hamsters are Siberians, according to the Louisiana Veterinary Association. Armenian, European and Chinese hamsters fill out most of the other 10 percent.

    Food

    • Hamsters in the wild have their place in the food chain, although, like all rodents, they occupy a fairly low place. In the wild, hamsters are food for larger creatures that survive on hunting small animals. Many hamsters build burrows in the ground to escape both the elements and their natural enemies. Because they are so small, most predators are unable to follow them into the holes, so they are pretty safe once they reach home or an underground shelter.