These hamsters are recognizable by their small size, dark brown color, and black stripes over their backs. European hamsters are two other species occasionally used in research but seldom kept as pets. Hamsters are small, soft animals with a fair temperament. They tend to be active at night and like to sleep during the day. They can be cranky when abruptly awakened, so caution is advised when handling them at this time.
Hamsters love to dig, burrow, and chew.
In the wild, hamsters feed on leaves, seeds, roots, various fruits, and insects. These foods are typically processed as dry blocks or pellets designed specifically for rodents. Seed diets are also formulated and sold for hamsters, but these diets should only supplement the basic rodent pellet as a treat. Many hamsters prefer sunflower-based diets to pellets, but these seeds are low in calcium and high in fat and cholesterol. When fed alone, seed diets can lead to obesity and potential nutritional deficiencies.