Yes, hamsters do exist in the wild, mainly distributed in northern China and neighboring countries (such as Mongolia, Russia, etc.).
Detailed Analysis
The Distribution of Wild Hamsters
According to the "Field Guide to the Mammals of China," the natural habitat of hamsters (gerbil subfamily) spans northern China and extends to regions such as Mongolia, Russia (Tuva), and Kazakhstan. This record indicates that hamsters do not entirely rely on artificial breeding, and their wild populations have long existed in specific geographical environments.
Differences between Domestic Hamsters and Wild Hamsters
Survival Ability: Wild hamsters possess stronger environmental adaptability, such as the instincts to dig burrows, store food, and evade natural enemies. In contrast, due to long-term domestication, domestic hamsters have significantly degraded their wild survival abilities. After escaping, they may face challenges such as food shortages and threats from natural enemies.
Behavioral Differences: Wild hamsters typically are active at night to reduce the risk of being preyed upon, while domestic individuals may have difficulty adapting to the wild's diurnal rhythm due to a lack of experience.
Challenges of Surviving in the Wild
If domestic hamsters escape into the wild, their survival time is influenced by the following factors:
Food and Water Sources: They need to find seeds, insects, or fruits on their own, but competition or pollution may lead to a decrease in their survival rate.
Threats from Natural Enemies: Predators such as cats and birds can greatly shorten their survival period.
Climate Adaptability: Extreme temperatures (such as severe cold or intense heat) can be fatal, especially when there is a lack of shelters.
Comparison of Authority
Among the search results, only the "Field Guide to the Mammals of China" provides authoritative distribution data (with high author and content authority). Other sources are mostly discussions from self-media, focusing on the hypothesis of the wild survival of domestic hamsters, and should be referred to with caution.
Conclusion
Wild hamsters are part of the natural ecosystem, but their distribution range is limited. If domestic hamsters enter the wild, their probability of survival is low. This phenomenon more reflects the conflict between domesticated animals and the natural environment rather than the widespread existence of wild populations.