Mesocricetus auratus
Syrian Hamster
Syrian hamsters are solitary desert burrowers. Give them depth, darkness and a large wheel, and handle them in the evening when they naturally wake.
CricetidaeLifespan 2–3 yearsCare complexity 2/5Suitable for beginners
At a glance
- Scientific name
- Mesocricetus auratus
- Family
- Cricetidae
- Origin
- Arid regions of northern Syria and southern Turkey
- Lifespan
- 2–3 years
- Adult size
- 13–18 cm
- Weight
- 100–200 g
- Temperament
- Solitary, territorial and nocturnal
- Activity level
- Very high at night
- Social needs
- Must be housed strictly alone after weaning
- Intelligence
- Good spatial memory; learns handling routines
- Noise
- Quiet apart from night-time wheel and digging sounds
Housing and environment
- Housing
- Minimum 100 x 50 cm continuous floor space with at least 25 cm of burrowing substrate
- Space requirement
- Floor area and substrate depth matter far more than tubes and levels
- Temperature
- 18–24°C; risks unsafe torpor below 15°C
- Humidity
- 40–60%
- Exercise
- A solid-surface wheel of at least 28 cm diameter plus deep bedding for burrowing
- Grooming
- Self-grooming plus a sand bath; never a water bath
Diet and feeding
Balanced hamster seed and pellet mix, occasional vegetables and small protein items
Behaviour and compatibility
Extensive burrowing, hoarding food in cheek pouches and nocturnal wheel running
- With children
- Not ideal for young children — nocturnal and startles easily when woken
- With other animals
- Never house with any other animal
- Training difficulty
- Low; hand-taming takes patience
Health
- Wet tail
- Tumours
- Dental overgrowth
- Obesity
- Pouch impaction
Exotics vet required; hamsters deteriorate very quickly once unwell
Special care requirements
Deep substrate for natural burrowing is the single biggest welfare improvement you can make