European or Black-Bellied Hamsters (Cricetus Cricetus) as Pets

What Is the European Hamster?

The European hamster also called the black-bellied hamster, or even the "common hamster," is a rodent with the scientific name Cricetus cricetus. It is the largest hamster in the world.

At first glance, this unusual rodent might resemble the ubiquitous Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), also known as the golden or "teddy bear" hamster, which is extremely common in the pet trade.

However, this species has a striking black underbelly, and even more surprising, they can grow to be as large as guinea pigs, attaining lengths of up to 30 cm (12 inches) and they can weigh between 450 and 350 grams (almost 1 pound). The males are larger than the females.

Species Profile: European Hamsters in the Wild

Distribution and Range: They are found in the lowlands of Central and Eastern Europe including Belgium, Russia, France, Germany, and Bulgaria. Its preferred habitat is rural areas, grassy steppes, plowed land, and cultivated fields.

Diet: Cereal, seeds, cultivated plants, potatoes, insect larvae, small mice, and frogs

Lifespan: 4–8 years in the wild.

Predators: Red foxes, birds of prey, stoats, and free-ranging dogs and cats

Are They Endangered?

Despite their close resemblance to one of the most popular pet rodents in the world, European hamsters are one of the most endangered mammals in Europe and their populations are declining. Initially designated as "least concern" by the IUCN, in 2020, the species was reassessed and given the status of critically endangered, which is one step away from extinction in the wild.

Threats that may have contributed to its rapid decline in the wild:

• In the past, they were considered farmland pests and extensively trapped.
• They were once hunted for their fur, although this practice ended in the 1970s.
• Their habitat is being destroyed for intensive agriculture, infrastructure, and roads.
• Lack of crop diversity and pesticide use has altered their environment.
• Climate change has contributed.
• Pollution, even in small amounts, negatively affects this species.
• Consumption of corn crops may cause them to eat their young.

Comparison to Syrian Hamsters

There are similarities and differences between the European and the Syrian hamsters.

Similarities

• Both hamsters are solitary, and social behavior generally only occurs during mating season or when females are raising pups.
• Both species breed readily in captivity, adapting well to human presence.
• They are avid borrowers and active in captivity.
• They are both omnivorous although eat mostly plant material.

Differences

• European hamsters are known to live up to 8 years, compared to 3 years for Syrian hamsters (Syrians in captivity are highly inbred).
• European hamsters are more than twice as large as Syrians.
• They have much longer tails.
• Syrian hamsters are rarely observed in the wild, while the European hamster has populations that live in urban environments.

Their Reputation for Severe Aggression

There is a popular claim that European hamsters are extremely aggressive, thanks to videos depicting their colorful displays when they are confronted and cornered by humans.

Studies of captive hamsters have also shown that they engage in mobbing, rearing, spitting, and other confrontational displays of aggression in the presence of ferrets.

However, it is important to consider that wild animals are different from those which are captive-born, especially when the former feels its life is being threatened.

European Hamsters Are Friendly!

It is a myth that European hamsters are inherently aggressive or even dangerous.

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Studies have shown captive hamsters to have reduced levels of aggression, and captive-reared European hamsters have been described as "calm" in the presence of humans and they "easily interact" with them. Even wild-caught specimens have been shown to be friendly with humans.

Authors involved with their rearing have described them (translated from Russian):

"Hamsters are very nice animals to keep at home as pets: they don’t bite, you can hold them in your arms, stroke them; thanks to their large size, they can be safely let out for a walk in the house, such a hamster will not get “lost”, will not get into trouble by climbing into some
hiding place."

There is also a surprising lack of research conducted on wild Syrian hamsters to make comparisons between the two.

Furthermore, numerous videos show European hamsters exhibiting docile behaviors when being handled. Their solitary nature will also be to their benefit in captivity, as they will not have advanced social requirements.

Are They Kept as Pets?

European hamsters are rarely kept as pets. There are some owners of this species in Russia who've obtained their animals from a breeder in the past (around 2017), although the current status of this species in the private trade is unknown.

There are a small number of breeding colonies in European laboratories that have been established from 50 wild-caught animals in the 1970s.

Past attempts have been made to import European hamsters to the United States. Sadly, these efforts were thwarted due to the 2020 pandemic and loss of contact with the supplier.

Furthermore, the species' recent designation as critically endangered may limit or prevent any future attempts.

Caring for European Hamsters

European hamsters require similar care to Syrian hamsters, taking into account their larger size, of course.

Diet: A commercial hamster diet is more than likely sufficient for this omnivorous herbivore-leaning rodent, along with supplementary treats for enrichment, including seed mixes, cereals, freeze-dried insects, boiled chicken, and fresh vegetables.

Enclosure: Keep these hamsters singly in an enclosure large enough to allow for running and foraging. This species will even breed well in enclosures designed for larger domestic rodents. The deeper the bedding, the better. Aim to allow for the animal to be able to dig down at least a few inches.

Enrichment: Provide a very large wheel (sized for guinea pigs or even rabbits). Sprinkle novel treats around the cage (or in substrate like hay) daily to encourage foraging and add items to chew on. The small pet market offers countless options.

Should European Hamsters Be Pets?

The European hamster would be an exciting addition to the pet trade in many nations. Allowing private hobbyists to breed this species would dramatically increase the number of individuals worldwide which could possibly contribute to their conservation.

• European hamsters were relentlessly exploited by the fur trade where millions of animals were killed, but this species has never been harmed by the pet trade.
• The trade of Syrian hamsters never harmed wild populations (in fact, most of the captive population shockingly descends from just three siblings), so it is unlikely that allowing European hamsters to enter the pet trade would harm their wild populations.
• In fact, they could be sourced from areas where they are persecuted as crop pests, sparing them from extermination, and their presence in captivity can raise awareness and promote their conservation.
• In effect, captive European hamsters may enjoy a longer lifespan, as their wild counterparts often succumb to predation.

Domesticated European Hamsters

Ironically, European hamsters are the closest thing we have to hamsters that have become domesticated through a natural pathway.

• The alteration of the European hamster's habitat has led to fragmented populations, but some groups do not just survive, but thrive in anthropogenic, urban environments.
• The most famous population occurs in Vienna, Austria, where these charismatic animals live in parks and in one popular location, the Central Cemetery. They exhibit reduced fear around humans, allowing for excellent photography and they have become a popular tourist attraction.
• These groups of hamsters may have undergone changes that resemble "island syndrome", a phenomenon that occurs when a small population of animals restricted to an island with no predators develops higher levels of docility, along with other traits considered to be consistent with the "domestication phenotype."
• Therefore, some European hamsters might already be "domesticated" in the wild! Those in captivity for a few generations are also "domesticated" in the same sense as Syrian hamsters. This further provides evidence that this species is well-suited for living with humans.

Conclusion

The natural history, species characteristics, and scientific studies on the European hamster suggest that this species can make an excellent pet and may be sustainably collected (or produced from preexisting captive populations) in an ethical manner.

There is little reason to think that European hamsters would not make good pets just like Syrians.

Whether or not European hamsters will emerge in the exotic pet trade outside of Russia remains to be seen, but is sadly unlikely.

References

1. Banaszek, A., Bogomolov, P., Feoktistova, N., La Haye, M., Monecke, S., Reiners, T. E., Rusin, M., Surov, A., Weinhold, U. & Ziomek, J. 2020.Cricetus cricetus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T5529A111875852. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T5529A111875852.en. Accessed on 28 January 2023.
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10. Stanytsina, Halyna, and Igor Zagorodniuk. "The European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) in captivity: keeping and breeding experience." (2021).
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14. Wildlife-travel.com. European hamsters at the Central Cemetery in Vienna
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