Guide to Wild Hamster Distribution and Habitats
I. Primary Distribution Areas
Within China
Regions north of the Yangtze River (Xinjiang, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, etc.)
Areas surrounding the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (shrublands at 2,000–3,500 meters above sea level)
Global Range
Temperate grasslands/semi-deserts of Eurasia
Arid regions of North America
II. Typical Habitats
Natural Landscapes
Grasslands and meadows (e.g., the Inner Mongolia Grassland)
Semi-desert Gobi (such as the Hexi Corridor)
Foothill shrublands (eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau)
Human-Affected Areas
Farmland edges (ridges of cornfields/wheat fields)
Garden undergrowth/irrigation ditches
III. Tips for Spotting Them
Burrow Identification
Circular entrance holes, 3–5 cm in diameter
Runways (trails of nibbled grass)
Active Periods
Nocturnal (7:00 PM–5:00 AM)
Most active in spring and autumn
Note: Wild hamsters are highly solitary. Maintain a safe distance if you encounter one.