The hamster is a very popular pet among the little ones. On many occasions it is the first pet to arrive at the home. It is an easy animal to maintain and that falls in love with its sweet appearance and mousy movements. However, it is very important to know how long a hamster lives and explain it to the little ones so that they know that at some point they will have to face this reality.
For this reason, on our site we will answer your usual question: How long does a hamster live? Keep reading!
Hamster Life Cycle
The life expectancy of hamsters can vary greatly depending on their habitat, the care they receive and the specific species to which they belong. These small animals belong to a subfamily of rodents called Cricetinas.
Hamsters that reside in homes as pets have a life expectancy of 1.5 to 3 years, although there have been registered copies of up to 7 years of life. Generally, the smaller the species, the shorter its longevity.
Good nutrition and care for your hamster will have a direct impact on its he alth. In addition, knowing the most common diseases of hamsters will help us detect a problem early.
How long do wild hamsters live?
Interestingly, hamsters in the wild live longer than captive ones, despite the fact that many die very young by owls, barn owls, foxes and many other predators. But, the reproductive capacity of these rodents is so high that this circumstance is barely noticeable.
A clear example is the wild European hamster (Cricetus cricetus), which can live up to 8 years It is a large hamster, since it measures about 35 cm, more than double that of the golden hamster, which is the largest among those we find as pets and does not exceed 17.5 cm in length.
How long does a Syrian hamster live?
The Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is the most popular hamster species as a pet. It measures between 12.5 and 17.5 cm and the lifespan of a Syrian hamster usually ranges between 2 and 3 years.
Hamsters are animals with nocturnal habits so they spend the day resting. In addition, we must bear in mind that it is a solitary and territorial animal.
How long does a Russian hamster live?
Are you thinking of adopting a Russian hamster? The Russian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) has a life expectancy of about 2 years Although it can be brown, gray and white, it has a black line on the back and a black spot also on the shoulder. The belly is almost always white. A very interesting feature of the Russian hamster is that it can completely change its fur to lighter colors when it hibernates.
In any case, life expectancy is an important fact to take into account, especially if the hamster is going to live with a child, since it is a very common pet among children because it does not need excessive care and has a pleasant and even close attitude. Therefore, it will be necessary for the children to know when the moment of goodbye can occur.
How long does a Chinese hamster live?
The Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) is, along with the Syrian hamster, one of the most popular in homes around the world, as they stand out for being very affectionate with their families. How long does a Chinese hamster live? They usually live for 2 to 3 years.
It is an elongated and thin rodent that has a small prehensile tail of 1 centimeter. In addition, it presents certain sexual dimorphism, since the male is usually larger than the female and has somewhat unbalanced testicles for his small body.
The Chinese hamster is usually two-colored, reddish brown or grayish brown, although black and white specimens are very rare.
How long does a Roborovski hamster live?
The Roborovski Hamster (Phodopus roborovskii) is one of the smallest hamsters in the world. They reach 3 years of life, even a little more. They are not as social as other hamsters and may bite. Find out on our site how to prevent your hamster from biting you.
If we have in mind to adopt a Roborovski hamster, we should choose to buy a fish tank or terrarium that we will prepare properly. Roborovski hamsters are so small and have such a facility for passing through narrow spaces, that it is very likely that they will be able to escape from any cage.
How long does a Campbell hamster live?
The Campbell hamster (Phodopus campbelli) lives between 1, 5 and 3 years. It is often easily confused with the Russian hamster and is somewhat shy and reserved. In addition, it can be of very varied colors.
The hamster is a small rodent that can stay with us for between 2 and 5 years, depending on the species and if we take care provide him with what he needs, such as an appropriate and he althy diet for his characteristics.
