Hamster
Featured in: Year 1: Animals, including humans
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Hamster
Mammal
A small, furry pet known for running on wheels at night.
💡 Fun Facts
- Hamsters are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and are active at night.
- They have large cheek pouches that stretch to their shoulders to carry food.
- Their teeth never stop growing!
Name Story
Mesocricetus auratus
means “the golden hoarder”
What does its name mean?
- Mesocricetus — middle-sized hamsterGreek (mesos, 'middle') + Latinised 'hamster'
- auratus — goldenLatin (aurum, 'gold')
- hamster — the hoarderGerman (from a word meaning 'to hoard')
The word "hamster" really does mean "the hoarder" — and the pet earns it, stuffing its stretchy cheek pouches full of food to carry home and store away. Add its warm golden-brown coat, and the name is complete.