Yes, hamsters are mammals and belong to the family Cricetidae within the order Rodentia. They meet the core characteristics of mammals: giving birth to live young, with the offspring growing up through breastfeeding, and being covered with fur all over their bodies to maintain body temperature. The following is a detailed analysis:
Taxonomic Basis:
In animal taxonomy, hamsters are clearly classified under the class Mammalia, the order Rodentia, and the family Cricetidae.
For common species such as the Roborovski hamster (Phodopus roborovskii), their scientific Latin names are all labeled according to the naming rules for mammals.
Physiological Characteristics:
Viviparity and Lactation: Hamsters give birth to their young directly (the gestation period is 18-24 days), and the baby hamsters rely on their mother's milk for survival after birth.
Fur Coverage: All hamster breeds are covered with fur, and the fur comes in various colors (such as gray, white, or brown), which serves the function of heat preservation.
Homeothermic Mechanism: As higher mammals, hamsters regulate their body temperature through their fur and metabolism, enabling them to adapt to complex environments.
Similarities with Other Mammals:
They have a well-developed nervous system (for example, a pregnant hamster will actively build a nest before giving birth);
The tooth structure is differentiated (with a clear division of labor between the incisors and molars).
Additional Explanation: The family Cricetidae is one of the families with the largest number of species among the existing mammals, containing more than 600 species. And pet hamsters are only some of the miniaturized varieties within it (such as the Syrian hamster, Dwarf Winter White Russian hamster, etc.).