Editing Hamster (section)

==Description==
[[File:Die vergleichende Osteologie (1821) Cricetus cricetus.jpg|right|thumb|Skeleton of [[European hamster]]]]
Hamsters are typically stout-bodied, with tails shorter than body length, and have small, furry ears, short, stocky legs, and wide feet. They have thick, silky fur, which can be long or short, colored black, grey, honey, white, brown, yellow, red, or a mix, depending on the species. Two species of hamster belonging to the genus ''[[Phodopus]]'', [[Campbell's dwarf hamster]] (''P. campbelli'') and the [[Djungarian hamster]] (''P. sungorus''), and two of the genus ''[[Cricetulus]]'', the [[Chinese striped hamster]] (''C. barabensis'') and the [[Chinese hamster]] (''C. griseus'') have a dark stripe down their heads to their tails. The species of genus ''Phodopus'' are the smallest, with bodies {{convert|5.5|to|10.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} long; the largest is the [[European hamster]] (''Cricetus cricetus''), measuring up to {{convert|34|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, not including a short tail of up to {{convert|6|cm|in|abbr=on}}.

The hamster tail can be difficult to see, as it is usually not very long (about {{frac|1|6}} the length of the body), with the exception of the [[Chinese hamster]], which has a tail the same length as the body. One rodent characteristic that can be highly visible in hamsters is their sharp [[Rodent#Dentition|incisors]]; they have an upper pair and lower pair which grow continuously throughout life, so must be regularly worn down. Hamsters are very flexible, but their bones are somewhat fragile. They are extremely susceptible to rapid temperature changes and drafts, as well as extreme heat or cold.

===Senses===
Hamsters have poor eyesight; they are [[nearsighted]] and [[colorblind]].<ref>{{cite book |author=LeeAnne Engfer |others=photographs by Andy King |title=My pet hamster & gerbils|year=1997|publisher=Lerner|location=Minneapolis|isbn=978-0822522614|page=13}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Concise encyclopedia biology|year=1995|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|location=Berlin|isbn=978-3110106619|page=[https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope00scot/page/299 299]|edition=Rev.|author=Thomas A. Scott|url=https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope00scot/page/299}}</ref> Their eyesight leads to them not having a good sense of distance or knowing where they are, but that  does not stop them from climbing in (and sometimes out of) their cages or from being adventurous. Hamsters can sense movement around at all times, which helps  protect them from harm in the wild. In a household, this sense helps them know when their owner is  near.<ref name="omlet.us">{{Cite web|url=https://www.omlet.us/guide/hamsters/about_hamsters/anatomy/|title=Anatomy {{!}} About Hamsters {{!}} Hamsters {{!}} Guide {{!}} Omlet US|website=www.omlet.us|access-date=2019-11-20}}</ref> Hamsters have [[scent glands]] on their flanks (and abdomens in Chinese and dwarf hamsters) which they rub against the surface beneath them, leaving a scent trail.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bartlett|first1=Patricia Pope|last2=Earle-Bridges|first2=Michele|title=The Hamster Handbook|publisher=Barron's Educational Series|isbn=9780764122941|page=[https://archive.org/details/hamsterhandbook00bart/page/21 21]|url=https://archive.org/details/hamsterhandbook00bart|url-access=registration|language=en|year=2003}}</ref> Hamsters also use their sense of smell to distinguish between the sexes and to locate food. Mother hamsters can also use their sense of smell to find their own babies and identify which ones are not theirs. Their scent glands can also be used to mark their territories, their babies, or their mate.<ref name="caringpets.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.caringpets.org/how-to-take-care-of-a-hamster/behavior-body-language/|title=Hamster Body Language & Behavior: What it Means|website=Caring Pets|language=en|access-date=2019-11-20}}</ref> Hamsters catch sounds by having their ears upright. They tend to learn similar noises and begin to know the sound of their food and even their owner's voice.<ref name="omlet.us"/> They are also particularly sensitive to high-pitched noises and can hear and communicate in the [[ultrasound|ultrasonic]] range.<ref name="Fritz"/>

===Diet===
Hamsters are [[omnivores]], which means they can eat meat and plant matter. Hamsters that live in the wild eat seeds, grass, and even insects.<ref name="omlet.us"/> Although pet hamsters can survive on a diet of exclusively commercial hamster food, other items, such as vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts, can be given. Although store-bought food is good for hamsters, it is best if fruits and vegetables are also in their diet because it keeps them healthier.<ref name="All About Keeping Hamsters as Pets">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesprucepets.com/hamsters-overview-1238973|title=All About Keeping Hamsters as Pets|website=The Spruce Pets|language=en|access-date=2019-11-20}}</ref> Hamsters in the Middle East have been known to hunt in packs to find insects for food.<ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica">"hamster." [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]. Standard Edition. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2007.</ref> Hamsters are [[Hindgut fermentation|hindgut fermenters]] and often eat their own feces ([[coprophagy]]) to recover nutrients digested in the hind-gut, but not absorbed.<ref name="Fox"/>