Golden Hamster. 
Cricetus auratus, Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1839, p. 57. 
Mr. Waterhouse says of this species, that it is less than the common hamster (Cricetus 
vulgaris), and is remarkable for its deep golden yellow colouring. The fur is moderately long and very 
soft, and has a silk-like gloss; the deep golden yellow colouring extends over the upper parts and sides 
of the head and body, and also over the outer side of the limbs : on the back the hairs are brownish 
at the tip, hence in this part the fur assumes a deeper hue than on the sides of the body : the sides 
of the muzzle, throat, and under parts of the body are white, but faintly tinted with yellow : on the 
back, and sides of the body, all the hairs are of a deep grey or lead colour at the base. The feet 
and tail are white. The ears are of moderate size, furnished externally with deep golden-coloured 
hairs, and internally with whitish hairs. The moustaches consist of black and white hairs intermixed. 
This specimen was received from Aleppo, and presented to the Society’s Museum, by G. R. 
Waterhouse, Esq. 
The skull, when compared with that of Cricetus vulgaris, differs in not having the anterior root 
of the zygomatic arch produced anteriorly in the form of a thin plate, which in that animal, as in 
the rats, serves to protect an opening which is connected with the nasal cavity: the facial portion 
of the skull is proportionately longer and narrower: in size there is much difference; the skull of 
Cricetus auratus being one inch and a half in length, and ten lines in breadth, measuring from the 
outer side of the zygomatic arches. 
Length of the head and body, seven inches and a half; tail, half an inch. 
