Hamsters have won the hearts of pet lovers, including myself! But did you know that these cute and affectionate little creatures also exist in the wild? Fortunately, not all of them are in captivity.
Let’s explore together the different regions where hamsters live and their natural habitat.
Geographic origins of hamsters
There are more than 18 species of hamsters found in various parts of the world. Most of them come from Eurasia, particularly Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. The main geographical areas where wild hamsters live are:
- Eastern Europe: This region is primarily home to European hamsters, which are generally larger than other species.
- Middle East: This area hosts several types of hamsters, such as the golden hamster and the Roborovski hamster.
- Central Asia: The Djungarian hamsters and Campbell’s dwarf hamsters originate from this area.
Among the most well-known species are the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), the Roborovski hamster (Phodopus roborovskii), and the Russian dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus). Each of these species has specific needs and a distinct natural habitat:
The golden hamster
The golden hamster, also known as the Syrian hamster, is probably the most well-known hamster species. Native to the Middle East, this animal is primarily found in Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Israel. It generally lives in semi-arid areas, such as steppes and desert regions, where it digs burrows to protect itself from predators and rest during the day.
The Roborovski hamster
The Roborovski hamster is a small mammal native to the desert regions of Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan. It prefers dry, sandy areas where it can easily dig burrows to shelter itself. This hamster is also adapted to extreme climatic conditions, as it can withstand temperatures ranging from -20°C to 40°C.
The Russian dwarf hamster
As for the Russian dwarf hamster, it primarily lives in the steppes of Eurasia, from Kazakhstan to western Siberia. It can be found in both prairie and arid or marshy areas. This small mammal also builds burrows to protect itself from the elements and predators.
Natural habitats of wild hamsters
Wild hamsters occupy a variety of habitats, ranging from deserts to prairies, forests, and farmland. They adapt to different ecosystems according to their needs, enabling them to survive in diverse environments.
Deserts and semi-arid regions
Some species, like the golden hamster and the Roborovski hamster, prefer to live in desert and semi-arid areas. These animals dig burrows to protect themselves from extreme temperatures and predators. The burrows can be quite complex, with multiple entrances, chambers, and underground passages.
Prairies and steppes
The European hamster is often found in prairies and steppes, where it also digs burrows for shelter. These habitats offer an abundance of food in the form of seeds, roots, and insects. Additionally, the vast expanses of grass provide excellent cover to evade predators.
Farmland
Due to the expansion of human activity, particularly through agricultural cultivation, some species of hamsters have adapted to living near cultivated fields. For example, the common hamster often lives near agricultural areas where it finds an easy and ample food source.
Threats to wild hamsters
Human activity and agricultural cultivation have a significant impact on the natural habitat of wild hamsters. The destruction of their environment to make way for urbanization and agricultural exploitation gradually reduces their living territories, forcing them to adapt to conditions that are sometimes less favorable for their survival.
Among the main threats are:
Destruction of habitats and fragmentation of populations
The transformation of natural spaces into urban or agricultural areas leads to the destruction of many plant and animal species that constitute food for wild hamsters. Additionally, habitat fragmentation limits the possibilities for population expansion, which can lead to reduced genetic diversity and increased risks of extinction.
Pollution and pesticide use
Human activities are also responsible for soil, water, and air pollution, which can adversely affect the health of wild hamsters. The use of pesticides in agricultural crops can indeed contaminate the water sources and food consumed by these small mammals, causing reproductive and developmental issues.
Predators
Wild hamsters face other challenges such as natural predators (snakes, birds of prey, foxes), which can attack them. When their habitat is destroyed or altered, it becomes more difficult for hamsters to protect themselves against these predators.