Golden Hamster

Small, nocturnal rodent with characteristic cheek pouches for carrying food.

SmallActiveSyria

Origin & history

First discovered in the wild in Syria in 1930 and domesticated; nearly all golden hamsters today descend from a single litter found at the time.

Care

Short coat, minimal grooming. The cage needs bedding for digging and regular cleaning.

Ideal environment

Needs its own individual cage - golden hamsters are territorial and must NEVER be kept with others. Active at night, quiet is important during the day.

Feeding

Special hamster food with a seed mix, supplemented with small amounts of fresh food.

Health

Prone to dental problems (chew material needed) and sensitive to stress from excessive handling.