An Introduction to the Golden Hamster

1 About the Golden Hamster

1. The golden hamster is a hamster species native to Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. It was brought to the United States in 1938 and became an established pet. In the 1990s it was introduced to parts of China such as Jiande in Zhejiang. Highly adaptable and easy to keep in many places, it eats mainly plant seeds and fruit.

2. Adult females are about 12 to 18 cm long and weigh 90 to 150 g; males are 10 to 15 cm and 60 to 110 g. The original coat was golden brown, but breeding has produced over 40 colors, most commonly yellow. Coats come in short, long, satin, and wavy types. Short coats are very short; young long-haired ones look fluffy and grow soft and dense as adults; satin coats look draped in satin. Two satin hamsters should not be bred together, only satin with non-satin, or the offspring may have too little fur and turn nearly hairless.

3. Lifespan is short, usually 2 to 3 years, but they breed fast and grow quickly, with 8 to 12 litters a year of 8 to 16 each. They are omnivorous and very adaptable.

4. Compared with other hamsters, golden hamsters have bigger heads, are the most numerous and the largest breed, so their nutritional needs are higher. They are gentler than other hamsters, but like all hamsters they are strongly territorial and must be housed alone.

2 Care Notes

The best temperature is 20 to 28°C (68 to 82°F). Keep the environment in that range, out of direct sun and harsh wind, and well ventilated. Don’t place the cage near a TV, speaker, or computer to avoid noise and radiation. Hamsters are sensitive to temperature and catch colds easily, so avoid air conditioning in summer since on/off cycles cause big swings. Line the cage with wood shavings and offer cotton for nesting, but never use yarn or fabric items as bedding; a hamster may weave them into a nest and get a limb or neck caught, which can strangle it.