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10 Best Hamster Fun Facts

It's time to find out all about hamsters! We've put together this awesome fact page all about these rodents and their wacky ways! What new fact will you learn?

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Beano Facts Team
Last Updated:  March 21st 2022

How much do you know about these furry little fellas? We've put together 10 awesome facts all about hamsters and their kooky ways - find out how they store their food, why they're nocturnal, and other awesome things!

1. They are Nocturnal

Unlike some other rodents, hamsters are nocturnal, which means they sleep during the day and are awake at night! This can make them tricky pets, as they have totally different sleeping patterns from us!

2. They Store Food in Their Faces

Hamsters need to make sure they always have a good supply of food, in case of scarcity or winter, and their cheeks contain special pouches to keep their food in! That way they can gather as much as possible when out foraging!

3. There Are Over 50 Million Pet Hamsters

Hamsters are a popular pet all over the world - so popular, in fact, that there are literally millions of pet hamsters out there! Do you have one?

4. Hamsters Come From Lots of Different Places

Hamsters like to live in places that are fairly warm and dry - like the edge of deserts. Because of this, you can find them all over the place, including Syria, China, Greece - and even Belgium!

5. Their Teeth Grow Forever!

Hamster's teeth are very important - they need them to gnaw through food and help make nests. They need them to be sharp, so they constantly keep gnawing and nibbling to help shape them. And they grow forever, so they need to keep gnawing so they don't get too long!

6. All Hamsters Are (Probably) Descended From One Pair

It's thought that domesticated (pet) hamsters are all descended from one breeding pair from the 1930s - meaning that millions of hamsters all over the world are family! Aw!

7. They Have Tiny Tails

The easiest way to know if you're looking at a hamster and not a gerbil is their stubby little tails - most other similar rodents have long thin tails, but hamsters on have little nubs!

8. Hamster is a German Word

Hamsters are called hamsters after the German word 'hamstern' which means 'hoard', because that's what they do! They hoard all their food! Now you know!

9. Hamsters Need Their Alone Time

Syrian hamsters, the most common pet hamsters are quite solitary and prefer their own company. If you put two males together, they will probably fight, so unless you're breeding them, it's best to keep hamsters apart!

10. Wild Hamsters Hibernate

Hamsters in the wild will often hibernate, meaning they go into their nests and sleep for months at a time. This is to preserve energy during the winter months when food is harder to find.