The Native Distribution of Hamsters
1. Primary Origin Regions
Eurasia
The hamster subfamily (Cricetinae) first originated in the Tibetan Plateau, later spreading to the Mongolian Plateau and southeastern Europe.
Syria
Wild ancestors of modern pet hamsters (e.g., Syrian Hamsters/Golden Hamsters) are native to the Syrian desert region.
2. Current Wild Population Distribution
Europe
European Hamsters (Black-Bellied Hamsters) inhabit central and eastern Europe, Belgium, and other areas.
Asia
North of China’s Yangtze River (e.g., Xinjiang, North China, Northeast China) is home to native species like the Greater Hamster and Djungarian Hamster.
Siberia and the Mongolian Plateau serve as the original habitats for Djungarian Hamsters.
3. Special Cases
Laboratory Animal Origin
Three wild Golden Hamsters captured in Syria in 1930 became the common ancestors of all laboratory and pet hamsters globally.
Archaeological Findings
Remains of Greater Hamsters unearthed from Han Dynasty tombs (e.g., Mancheng Han Tombs) confirm their historical distribution in China.
Note: Origin regions vary by hamster genus. For example, Chinese Hamsters (source of CHO cells) specifically refer to wild populations in northern China along the Mongolia border.