Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
In the past Cricetus was considered a serious agricultural pest because of its impact on corn and other crops. Modern agricultural techniques have diminished its impact.
The common hamster is trapped in some parts of its range for skins.
The diet is diverse and includes grains, beans, lentils, roots, green parts of plants, insect larvae and frogs.
Cricetus cricetus is found in Eurasia from Belgium to the Altai region of Siberia.
Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native )
The habitat of the common hamster includes steppe, agricultural land and riverbanks. Burrows are usually in loam of loess soils in the western part of the range.
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 2.0 years.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 4.0 years.
The fur is light brown on the back, white on the sides and black on the belly (hence the name black-bellied hamster). There is a wide range of variation, however, including both albino and melanistic animals. The small tail is mostly hairless. Cricetus has cheek pouches.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Average mass: 506.7 g.
Average basal metabolic rate: 1.251 W.
The breeding season in Cricetus lasts from April to August. It is not clear if males are driven away by females after mating or if the pair remains together to raise the offspring. Females normally have two litters of 4-12 young per year, though captive animals are capable of reproducing every month. Gestation is 18-20 days long and birth weight is usually about 7 grams. Young are weaned at 3 weeks and attain adult size at 8 weeks. Female are sexually mature at 43 days.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Average birth mass: 7 g.
Average gestation period: 20 days.
Average number of offspring: 7.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 56 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 43 days.
