A Complete Introduction to Hamsters
These rodents are found during a wide selection of habitats, from northern Europe during a broad band across much of Asia, aside from the southeastern corner. Twenty-four species are known but, as within the gerbils, just one – the Golden, or Syrian, Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) – has become popular as a pet throughout the planet . The Golden, or Syrian, Hamster The Syrian hamster was first discovered in 1839 and, forty years later, live specimens were delivered to England from Syria by James Skene, who had been serving there within the diplomatic corps . This group seems to possess thrived for thirty years, with the ultimate progeny dying in 1910. Subsequently, there seems to possess been none of those rodents in captivity until April, 1930. Indeed, it had been suggested that the species was extinct, until Dr. Israel Aharoni discovered a nest of Syrian Hamsters on Mount Appo in Syria.