- In most cases, hamsters generally live in burrows, are nocturnal, and feed on fruits, grain, and vegetables; but some species also eat insects and other small animals.
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- There are three main types of hamsters for pets - the chinese hamster, the russian hamster and the syrian hamster.
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- The golden hamster is a popular pet as well as laboratory animal. It feeds on both plant and animal material and is essentially solitary. In captivity it is clean, easily cared for, and readily tamed.
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- There are six genera, among them Cricetus, including only the common, or black-bellied, hamster , and Mesocricetus, including only the golden, or Syrian, hamster.
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- The common hamster inhabits the steppes and cultivated lands of Europe, ranging into western Asia.
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- Hamsters are typically short-tailed, soft-furred animals with large cheek pouches for carrying food.
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- All golden hamsters in captivity are apparently derived from a single litter captured in Syria in 1930.
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