Hamsters are cute and furry, but there are plenty of other things you should know about them before you bring one home. Here are some informative and fascinating tidbits that might just help you bond with your pet and understand more about their needs.

• "Hamster," from the German word "hamstern," means "hoard," which is a favorite pastime of our hamster friends.
• The hamster is a rodent whose scientific name is "Cricetinae." It contains 18 species in seven different genera and includes lemmings and mice among others.
• The Syrian hamster is the most popular pet hamster. Often referred to as teddy bear, short hair or fancy hamsters they are known to be very docile and enjoy being held.
• The first hamsters came from Syria, but they have lived all over the world in places like Greece, Belgium and northern China.
• With proper care and attention, a hamster can live to be 2 to 3 years old.
• Since hamsters are nocturnal, they naturally sleep more during the day and are more active at twilight. Don't wake them up to play. Instead, plan your interactions for late afternoon or early evening after they've had their proper rest.
• Hamsters generally enjoy the companionship of their pet parent and love to be let out of their habitat to play. Enhance their fun by constructing a maze for them to navigate, getting a hamster ball or putting them in a safe, enclosed area with hamster toys.
• Hamsters are intelligent creatures who can even learn their name. If you talk to your hamster and use their name frequently enough to get them used to hearing it, they might even learn to come when called.
• A hamster's teeth are constantly growing. To keep them at their healthy, length, provide plenty of chew toys and chew sticks to help naturally wear them down.
• Hamsters tend to keep their habitats tidy, generally relieving themselves in one or two specific corners, making it easy to litter box train them or at least scoop out soiled bedding every day to keep their spaces clean.

Hamsters are cute and furry, but there are plenty of other things you should know about them before you bring one home. Here are some informative and fascinating tidbits that might just help you bond with your pet and understand more about their needs.

• "Hamster," from the German word "hamstern," means "hoard," which is a favorite pastime of our hamster friends.
• The hamster is a rodent whose scientific name is "Cricetinae." It contains 18 species in seven different genera and includes lemmings and mice among others.
• The Syrian hamster is the most popular pet hamster. Often referred to as teddy bear, short hair or fancy hamsters they are known to be very docile and enjoy being held.
• The first hamsters came from Syria, but they have lived all over the world in places like Greece, Belgium and northern China.
• With proper care and attention, a hamster can live to be 2 to 3 years old.
• Since hamsters are nocturnal, they naturally sleep more during the day and are more active at twilight. Don't wake them up to play. Instead, plan your interactions for late afternoon or early evening after they've had their proper rest.
• Hamsters generally enjoy the companionship of their pet parent and love to be let out of their habitat to play. Enhance their fun by constructing a maze for them to navigate, getting a hamster ball or putting them in a safe, enclosed area with hamster toys.
• Hamsters are intelligent creatures who can even learn their name. If you talk to your hamster and use their name frequently enough to get them used to hearing it, they might even learn to come when called.
• A hamster's teeth are constantly growing. To keep them at their healthy, length, provide plenty of chew toys and chew sticks to help naturally wear them down.
• Hamsters tend to keep their habitats tidy, generally relieving themselves in one or two specific corners, making it easy to litter box train them or at least scoop out soiled bedding every day to keep their spaces clean.