The native habitat of hamsters varies in geographical distribution and habits.  The animal that has been abundant in Europe for many years is the common giant hamster.  The species can grow from eight to 12 inches long.  The species is also fierce, untamable, and unsatisfactory for laboratory use.  Another hamster that is unsatisfactory for laboratory use is the dwarf hamster which is only 2 1/2 to 4 inches long.  The giant hamster is most abundantly found in Germany.  The greatest distribution of the giant hamster is found around the RhineRiver.  The word hamster comes from the German word ‘hamstern’ which means to store or to hoard.  You will begin to realize where the animal gets its name because there have been reports of 60 to 100 pounds of grain have been found in a burrow of a giant hamster.  Because of this hoarding nature, the hamster is considered a pest in Europe.

The hamster which is today in such widespread use in the United States is the Mesocricetus auratus, which is the Syrian golden hamster.  In their native state Golden hamsters inhabit waste and pasturelands and also grain fields.  They are capable of burrowing from 1 1/2 to 8 feet to nest.  Up to this time the Golden hamster has been located only in Asia Minor.  In the wild state, when food and water became scarce while the mother is still nursing her litter, she may become highly carnivorous, preying on the nest of birds, mice, and other small animals to supply food and drink that she and her young need.  Generally, however, grains are the staple diet.