Field hamster

The European hamster, a characteristic rodent of open landscapes, is critically endangered and requires urgent conservation measures to ensure its survival. This fact sheet provides a detailed overview of the biology and ecology of the European hamster and highlights the urgency of protecting its habitats and preserving its populations.

The European hamster measures 20 to 35 cm in body length and weighs 200 to 600 g. Its diet consists of grains, seeds, roots, grasses, and herbs. Its life expectancy is up to 3 years.

Field Hamsters for Gardens, Nature Trails & Education

Profile: Field hamster

  • Scientific classification

    • Class: Mammalia (mammals)
    • Order: Rodentia (rodents)
    • Family: Cricetidae (Cricetidae)
    • Genus: Cricetus
    • Species: C. cricetus (European hamster)

  • Physical characteristics

    • Size: Body length of 20-35 cm
    • Weight: 200-600 g
    • Special features: Compact body, short legs, short tail, yellowish-brown fur with white belly sides and black cheek stripes.

  • Habitat and distribution

    • Common regions: Europe, especially Eastern Europe, formerly also in Germany, today highly endangered.
    • Habitat: Open landscapes such as fields, meadows, steppes and semi-deserts; prefers dry, sandy soils for the construction of burrows.

  • Nutrition

    • Diet: Herbivore
    • Typical food: grains, seeds, roots, grasses, herbs, occasionally insects.

  • Reproduction and lifestyle

    • Mating season: Spring
    • Gestation period: Approx. 3 weeks
    • Litter size: 5-15 young per litter
    • Brood care: Females are solely responsible for raising the young.
    • Social structure: Mostly solitary, outside of the mating season.

  • Lifespan and protection status

    • Life expectancy: Up to 3 years in the wild
    • Endangered status: Critically endangered due to habitat loss, intensive agriculture and hunting.
    • Conservation measures: preservation and protection of field margins, extensive agriculture, protection of breeding areas.

  • How big the common hamster really is

    • European hamster: 15 × 23 cm

    Dimensions of the life-size cut-outs (width × height), printed to a scale of 1:1.

    To the exhibitors 

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