(_Cricetus frumentarius_)
The hamster, which, although abundant in many parts of the Continent is
unknown in the British Isles, is the typical representative of a large
section of the mouse tribe characterised by the cusps on the upper
cheek-teeth forming two longitudinal rows, instead of the three found
in those of ordinary rats and mice. In size it may be compared to a
rat, but its tail is reduced to a mere stump, not more than a couple of
inches in length; while it is further characterised by the brilliant
and variegated colouring of its fur. Short-legged and stoutly built, it
has relatively small, membranous ears, large brilliant eyes, a rather
sharp muzzle, small toes, and short claws. The glossy, hairy fur is
underlain by a thick woolly under-fur. Very characteristic of this
animal is a narrow line of fur darker than the rest on the middle line
of the back which marks the position of a gland.
In general colour the fur of the upper-parts is light brownish yellow;
but the sides of the face are variegated with chestnut and white, and
there is a white area on the shoulder, while the under-parts and the
greater portion of the limbs are black, the black extending upwards to
some extent behind the fore-legs. Hamsters are, however, subject to
considerable individual variation in colour, and black, pied, and even
white examples are by no means uncommon.
Soft dry soils other than loose sand, which is unsuited for its
burrows, form the favourite resorts of the hamster, which in localities
of this nature ranges from the valley of the Rhine to that of the Obi
in Siberia. Its distribution is, however, very local, and the species
is unknown in the southern and south-western districts of Germany, as
it is also in eastern and western Prussia: in Thuringia and Saxony, on
the other hand, it is abundant.
The chief interest of the hamster is concentrated in its remarkable
habits. These rodents associate in large societies; and, like marmots,
construct both summer and winter burrows, in the latter of which they
become torpid during the cold months of the year. The winter-burrow
includes a large sleeping-chamber, situated at a depth of from one
to two yards below the surface; and also a storehouse or granary,
in which quantities of corn of various kinds are collected by these
industrious rodents for use during such portions of their retirement as
they are active. The burrow leading to the dwelling-chamber descends
almost perpendicularly, but takes a turn before opening into the
chamber itself, which is likewise provided with an oblique emergency
exit. Although grain forms their chief nutriment during the period of
retirement, hamsters in summer consume large quantities of peas, beans,
roots, fruits, and grass and other green food.
[Illustration]
As a rule, hamsters retire from the world to their subterranean
dwelling-places some time during October; when they block up the
entrances and exits of the winter-burrows with earth. Apparently
they almost immediately enter on their winter-sleep, from which they
do not awake till the following February or March, according to the
temperature. The weather at this early period of the year is, however,
by no means suited for an out-door existence, and these rodents
accordingly subsist for a season on their hoarded grain. The old males
generally make their appearance above ground about the middle of March,
but the females defer their emergence till a fortnight or so later.
They are then ravenously hungry, and will devour almost anything
that comes in their way, including beetles or other insects and an
occasional bird or mouse.
In summer the nest-chamber of the females, which is distinct from the
summer-burrow of the males and is furnished with one exit and several
entrances, is carefully lined with hay. Towards the end of April the
males visit the females in their own apartments; and four or five weeks
later the first litter of blind and naked young--varying in number from
half a dozen to eighteen--is produced. These rapidly develop their
fur, and open their eyes about the eighth or ninth day; and within a
fortnight are driven away from the parental burrow to construct a new
one of their own. Freed from one family, the old hamsters set about
producing a second one, which usually comes into the world in July.
The annual increase is, however, by no means limited to the older
individuals, for the members of the early spring litter are able to
produce young ones in the autumn.
Hamsters frequently make their appearance in enormous swarms, when
they do vast damage to crops. In return, the winter granaries of these
rodents are frequently raided by the peasants of countries where
they are common; the flesh of the hamster is also eaten, and its fur
employed for lining cloaks and coats.