Content
- The Hamster Life Cycle
- How long do wild hamsters live?
- How long does a hamster live according to its species
- 1. The golden hamster or Syrian hamster
- 2. The Russian Hamster
- 3. The Chinese Hamster
- 4. Roborovski's hamster
- 5. Campbell's Hamster
The hamster is a very popular pet among the smallest. It is often the first pet in a home. It's an easy-to-care animal that's in love with its sweet appearance and movements. However, it is very important to know how long a hamster lives and explain to the little ones so that they know that at some point they will have to face this reality. There are 19 hamster species in the world, but only 4 or 5 can be adopted as pets. One sore point these species have is their short lifespan. For this reason, in this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain to you how long does a hamster live.
The 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 the subfamily of rodents called hamsters..
Hamsters that live in homes as pets have a average life 1.5 to 3 years, although specimens up to 7 years old have been registered. Generally, the smaller the species, the shorter its longevity.
However, this is not always the case. Good nutrition and care will have a direct impact on your health. Also, knowing the most common illnesses in hamsters will help us detect a problem more quickly. Therefore, determining how long a hamster lives can vary greatly.
How long do wild hamsters live?
Interestingly the hamsters in the wild they live longer than those in captivity, although many die very young from being captured by owls, foxes and other predators.
A clear example is the wild european hamster, Cricetus Cricetus, who can live up to 8 years. It is a big hamster, as it measures 35 cm. More than twice as much as the golden hamster, which is the largest among those we find as a pet and does not exceed 17.5 cm in length.
How long does a hamster live according to its species
1. The golden hamster or Syrian hamster
Mesocricetus auratus, is the most popular in the world. Measures between 12.5 and 17.5 cm. Usually lives between 2 and 3 years. In the wild it is an endangered species.
2. The Russian Hamster
the russian hamster or Phodopus sungorus it has a life expectancy of about 2 years. Although it can be gray or brown, a very interesting feature is that it can completely change its fur to white if it goes into hibernation during the coldest times of the year.
3. The Chinese Hamster
The Chinese Hamster or Cricetulus griseus is, together with the Syrian hamster, one of the most popular in homes around the world. They usually live for 2 to 3 years. They are really small and stand out for being very kind to their families.
4. Roborovski's hamster
Roborovski's hamster, Phodopus roborovskii is one of the smallest in the world. They reach 3 years of life, including a little more. They are not as sociable as other hamsters and can die.
5. Campbell's Hamster
Campbell's hamster Phodopus campbelli he lives between 1.5 and 3 years and is easily confused with the Russian hamster and is a little shy and reserved. They can be of very varied colors.
If you have adopted or are thinking about adopting one of these cute animals, check out our list of hamster names.