AY Honors/Small Mammal Pets/Answer Key
Template:Taxobox The European Hamster, Cricetus cricetus, also known as the Black-bellied Hamster, is a species of hamster native to Europe. It is typically found in low-lying farmland with soft loam or loess soils, although it may also inhabit meadows, gardens, or hedges. It is widely considered a farmland pest, and has also been trapped for its fur. The black-bellied hamster is found from the Belgium and Alsace in the west, to Russia in the east, and Romania in the south.
European hamsters are significantly larger than the Syrian hamsters or dwarf hamsters commonly kept as pets. European hamsters are similar in size to guinea pigs.
In captivity, the European hamster displays an unusually long life span, living up to the age of eight years. They are very rarely kept as pets and have been known to attack large dogs if they feel threatened. They can also dispel grains and seeds from their cheek pouches with such force, that severe injury can be inflicted upon the target. (reference needed)
References
de:Feldhamster fr:Hamster d'Europe it:Cricetus cricetus ja:クロハラハムスター li:Korewouf nl:Gewone hamster pl:Chomik europejski ru:Хомяк обыкновенный fi:Eurooppalainen hamsteri sv:Europeisk hamster
