THE HAMSTER 



( Cricetus frumentarius) 



THE hamster, which, although abundant in many parts of the Continent is 

 unknown in the British Isles, is the typical representative of a large 

 section of the mouse tribe characterised by the cusps on the upper 

 cheek-teeth forming two longitudinal rows, instead of the three found in those of 

 ordinary rats and mice. In size it may be compared to a rat, but its tail is reduced 

 to a mere stump, not more than a couple of inches in length ; while it is further 

 characterised by the brilliant and variegated colouring of its fur.' Short-legged and 

 stoutly built, it has relatively small, membranous ears, large brilliant eyes, a rather 

 sharp muzzle, small toes, and short claws. The glossy, hairy fur is underlain by a 

 thick woolly under-fur. Very characteristic of this animal is a narrow line of fur darker 

 than the rest on the middle line of the back which marks the position of a gland. 



In general colour the fur of the upper-parts is light brownish yellow ; but 

 the sides of the face are variegated with chestnut and white, and there is a white 

 area on the shoulder, while the under-parts and the greater portion of the limbs are 

 black, the black extending upwards to some extent behind the fore-legs. Hamsters 

 are, however, subject to considerable individual variation in colour, and black, pied, 

 and even white examples are by no means uncommon. 



Soft dry soils other than loose sand, which is unsuited for its burrows, form 

 the favourite resorts of the hamster, which in localities of this nature ranges from 

 the valley of the Rhine to that of the Obi in Siberia. Its distribution is, however, 

 very local, and the species is unknown in the southern and south-western districts 

 of Germany, as it is also in eastern and western Prussia : in Thuringia and Saxony, 

 on the other hand, it is abundant. 



The chief interest of the hamster is concentrated in its remarkable habits. 

 These rodents associate in large societies ; and, like marmots, construct both 

 summer and winter burrows, in the latter of which they become torpid during the 

 cold months of the year. The winter-burrow includes a large sleeping-chamber, 

 situated at a depth of from one to two yards below the surface ; and also a storehouse 

 or granary, in which quantities of corn of various kinds are collected by these 

 industrious rodents for use during such portions of their retirement as they are 

 active. The burrow leading to the dwelling-chamber descends almost perpen- 

 dicularly, but takes a turn before opening into the chamber itself, which is likewise 

 provided with an oblique emergency exit. Although grain forms their chief 

 nutriment during the period of retirement, hamsters in summer consume large 

 quantities of peas, beans, roots, fruits, and grass and other green food. 



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