The Ancestral Origin of Hamsters in Eurasia
The ancestors of hamsters originated in Eurasia, especially in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region. Through coalescent analysis, scientists have found that the first dispersion and diversification of the Cricetinae subfamily took place on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and then expanded to the Mongolian Plateau and the southeastern corner of Europe.
The Modern Distribution of Hamsters
Main Distribution Regions
Animals of the Cricetinae subfamily are widely distributed in regions such as North America, South America, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, South Africa, and Madagascar, etc. In China, they are mainly distributed in areas north of the Yangtze River, including the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Habitat Environment
Hamsters have strong adaptability and inhabit diverse environments, including grasslands, deserts, semi-deserts, farmlands, and alpine meadows. Most of them are terrestrial species that live in burrows. Their burrow systems are complex, and there are special storage areas for food.
The Origin and Dispersion of Hamsters
The ancestors of hamsters completed their first dispersion and diversification in Eurasia, and then gradually spread to other regions. This process may be related to geological and climatic changes, enabling hamsters to adapt to different ecological environments.
Conclusion
The place of origin of hamsters is Eurasia, especially the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and they have subsequently dispersed to many regions around the world. They have strong adaptability and are able to survive and reproduce in a variety of environments.