Hamster

The best-known species of hamster is the Syrian or Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), which is the type of hamster most commonly kept as a pet. It is also sometimes called a « fancy » hamster. Pet stores also have taken to calling them « honey bears, » « panda bears, » « black bears, » « European black bears, » « polar bears, » « teddy bears, » and « Dalmatian », depending on their coloration. Hamsters can be kept both in cages and in vivaria, both of which are available in pet stores. Cages are easier to carry; their bars can be used for climbing. Hamsters are omnivorous. Their diet consists mostly of grains (such as corns) but also includes fresh fruit, roots (such as carrots), green parts of plants, invertebrates, and other small animals.