There are about 18 wild hamster species in the world, so why did they end up being a beloved pet for many households all over the world? Well, today we’re going to share the story of the pet hamster.
From wild to domesticated, hamsters are pretty cool little rodents that many embrace as a good childhood pet. Just make sure you keep that pet cat away from them, most cats try to get into a hamster cage perhaps confusing them with a wild mouse.
Syrian Hamster
The wild hamster that started the pet hamster craze is by far the rarest breed of hamster that families opt to get. This adorable hamster has a docile personality and can learn its name. You can’t home more than one Syrian hamster together, most times, as some tend to enjoy that solitude life.
While the Syrian hamster had been seen in the wild for a long time and people had scooped up some of them throughout the centuries, it wasn’t until 1930 when someone actually took on an expedition to try to learn more about this adorable wild rodent.
Lab Testing
The biggest reason that the expedition started was to find a new species of rodent to use in lab testing. They were currently using the Chinese hamster but since it wouldn’t breed, they needed to find a hamster that was wild and able to breed.
Eating their Young
One creepy or disturbing outcome of the expedition to gather some wild Syrian hamsters is that the mothers would often start eating their young soon after capture. This was certainly going against the purpose of having new hamsters to use for testing.
Founders of a Pet Industry
Since Syrian hamsters did breed better than the Chinese hamsters they were used for a while in labs but eventually started this pet industry. This is rather odd to think about since it’s rare to find a Syrian hamster at a local pet store.
Wild Hamsters are Rare
The Syrian hamster must know how to hide well because they’re the most difficult to find in the wild. They are rarer than other smaller hamsters but once captured they become a pretty popular option for pets these days.
While the Syrian hamsters seem to have started the pet hamster industry, it’s weird that we can barely find any at local pet shops. If you’re looking to invest in a pet hamster, we highly suggest you look around the area to see if anyone is breeding these docile hamsters. They are the best breed of hamster to enjoy as a pet for young children and older children.