Coloquially Known As: The Golden Hamster, Syrian Hamster, Brown Bear Hamster, Black Bear Hamster, Teddy Bear Hamster

Mesocricetus auratus

Coloquially Known As: The Golden Hamster, Syrian Hamster, Brown Bear Hamster, Black Bear Hamster, Teddy Bear Hamster

1/ Coloration of the Syrian Hamster

What is commonly known as the “Teddy Bear Hamster,” as labeled by a large majority of chain pet stores, is more appropriately referred to as the “Syrian Hamster.”

Coming in a variety of colurs, including but not limited to black, brown and golden, the Syrian Hamster is often mistakenly categorized into breeds such as “brown-bear hamster” and “black bear hamster.” In fact, there is no difference between the different “breeds,” which are merely just differences in color phases and are all categorized under the scientific name Mesocricetus auratu.

2/ Wild Syrian Hamster Behaviour, Habitat and Diet

Habitat: The Syrian Hamster is found only in parts of Turkey and and Northern Syria, in drier climates. There are “large seasonal fluctuations” in their natural habitat, with an average low in the Winter months of 10 degrees Celsius, and reaching up to a high of 38 degrees Celsius in the summer months.  Syrian Hamsters are considered vulnerable in the wild, according to the IUCN.

Behavior: Syrian Hamsters are known to be pests in their natural environments, due to their reputation for destroying crops. In the wild, their burrow depths vary between 36 and 106 cm with an average of around 65 cm deep. It has been noted that there is possible “hibernation” patterns of wild hamsters, but this has not been conclusively proven. In laboratory settings, torpor can be induced by keeping a Syrian Hamster consistently below 8 degrees Celsius.

Diet: In the wild, Hamsters are notorious for destroying farmer’s crops. As such, hamsters are omnivores and eat both plant and animal foods. In terms of plants, this includes wheat and barley, as well as different types of seeds and nuts. They also eat insects regularly. Foraging behavior and storage is a natural behavior.

3/ Syrian Hamsters in Captivity

Syrian hamsters in captivity live anywhere from 2-4 years, around the same lifespan they have in the wild. There are many diet options for Syrian Hamsters, including many high-quality commercial food mixes. Because of the limitations of present enclosures, a bedding depth of around 6 inches for Syrian Hamsters is the standard, and recommended to encourage natural tunneling and burrowing behavior. The recommended minimum enclosures size for Syrian Hamsters (and all hamsters for that matter) is 450 square inches of unbroken space, though a bigger enclosure will be appreciated by the hamster. In captivity, Syrian Hamsters are strictly solitary, meaning they must live alone to avoid unnecessary conflicts. These hamsters can get anywhere from 4-7” in size when they’re an adult. They require a wheel that is at the vey least 8” in diameter.