Black-bellied Hamster
The largest hamster in the world is the black-bellied hamster (Cricetus cricetus), also known as the European hamster or the European golden hamster. Its physical characteristics are as follows:
Body Length: The body length of an adult black-bellied hamster can reach 20 to 34 centimeters, and the tail length is 4 to 6 centimeters. It usually weighs 400 to 900 grams. This data far exceeds that of other hamster species. For example, the body length of a Syrian hamster is only 12 to 15 centimeters, making the black-bellied hamster the largest species in the hamster family.
Habits: The black-bellied hamster is a nocturnal animal. It has a strong wild nature, making it difficult to be raised artificially. It also has the habit of hibernating (from October to March of the following year). Its abdomen is black, giving it a unique appearance. Its lifespan can reach eight years, which is much longer than the average lifespan of common pet hamsters.
Distinction from Other Species: Although the Gambian pouched rat mentioned in the search results can have a body length of up to 91 centimeters, it belongs to the "giant pouched rat" (gerbil subfamily) and is not a member of the hamster family. Therefore, the black-bellied hamster remains the largest in the hamster family.