What Does a Hamster Look Like?

Hamsters are members of the rodent family, so they resemble their rodent cousins like mice and gerbils. But you will find a few features of the hamster that sets it apart from all other rodents.

  1. Color

    • Hamsters come in a variety of colors. They can be black, white, brown, grey, and even a combination of different colors.

    Body Size

    • Hamsters come in two sizes. The standard hamster is approximately 4 inches in length. The dwarf hamster reaches around 3 inches as an adult.

    Coat Length

    • Different hamster varieties have different types of fur. A short-haired hamster's fur is 1/4 inch long. Long-haired hamsters are referred to as 'teddy bear' hamsters; their fur coats can be as long as 1-inch.

    Tail

    • All varieties of hamsters have docked tails. Tails average 1/4 inch in length.

    Features

    • One of the most interesting features of a hamster is its cheek pouches. Hamsters have special pouches in their cheeks to carry food.