Hamsters have both wild populations and domesticated pet populations. Their wild characteristics and domestication history coexist, and should be analyzed from the following two perspectives:
1. Distribution and Habits of Wild Hamsters
Natural Distribution
- The subfamily Cricetinae includes approximately 18 species of wild hamsters, widely distributed across Asia, Europe, and North America. They also inhabit areas north of the Yangtze River in China, such as the common hamster (European hamster) in Xinjiang.
Survival Traits
- Behavior: Wild hamsters are terrestrial animals skilled at digging burrows to store food. They are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, insects, and other resources.
- Hibernation: Some species, like the common hamster, hibernate.
- Social Structure: They have strong territorial instincts, live solitary lives, and exhibit aggressive behavior toward others.
2. Domestication and Differences in Pet Hamsters
Short Domestication Timeline
- Modern pet hamsters (e.g., Syrian hamsters) were first domesticated in the 1930s, with only about 90 years of history. Their domestication level is far lower than that of cats and dogs, and they still retain partial wild behaviors (e.g., food hoarding, nocturnal activity).
Differences from Selective Breeding
- Physical Traits: Through artificial breeding, pet hamsters differ from wild species in body size, fur color, and other characteristics.
- Survival Ability: They lack wild survival skills and cannot survive if released into the wild.
Conclusion
- Wild hamsters are wild animals in natural ecosystems, and some species (such as the common hamster) are endangered.
- Pet hamsters are domesticated breeds. Although they retain wild behaviors, they rely on human care and are not strictly considered wild animals.