Where Did Hamsters Originate?

One of the most popular small rodent pets sold at pet stores across America, hamsters cost little to purchase and maintain. The hamsters in pet stores today were bred as pets, while their wild ancestors act a bit more timid around humans.

  1. Geography

    • The first hamsters discovered originated in the Syrian desert, though Chinese and Russian varieties also exist. Russian varieties include Siberian, Djungarian and Roborovsky hamsters.

    Habitat

    • Hamsters originally lived in desert areas. To survive the heat of the desert, hamsters lived in underground burrows and did not gather in groups but lived alone.

    Discovery

    • Zoologist George Waterhouse discovered hamsters in 1839 in the Middle East. Waterhouse brought the animal back to Europe in a cage and the rodent quickly became a household pet in Europe and America.

    Name

    • The name hamster derives from a similar German word, "hamstern." "Hamstern" means "to hoard" and hamsters received this name due to their tendency to gather and store food, even when caged.