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Hamster

Hamsters are rodents belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae. The subfamily contains about 25 species, classified in six or seven genera.

Hamsters are crepuscular animals which burrow underground in the daylight to avoid being caught by predators. Their diet includes a variety of foods, including dried food, berries, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables. In the wild they feed primarily on seeds, fruits and greens, and will occasionally eat burrowing insects. They have an elongated pouch on each side of their heads that extend to their shoulders, which they stuff full of food to be stored, brought back to the colony or to be eaten later.

Although the Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was first described scientifically in 1839, it was not until 1930 that researchers were able to successfully breed and domesticate hamsters. Pet Golden Hamsters are descended from hamsters first found and captured in Syria by zoologist Israel Aharoni.

Hamster behavior can vary depending on their environment, genetics, and interaction with people. Because they are easy to breed in captivity, hamsters are often used as lab animals in more economically developed countries. Hamsters have also become established as popular small house pets. Hamsters are sometimes accepted even in areas where other rodents are disliked, and their stereotypically solitary nature can reduce the risk of excessive litters developing in households.

For more information about Hamster, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

Adolescent sex linked to adult body, mood troubles, in animal study

A new study suggests that sex during adolescence can have lasting negative effects on the body and mood well into adulthood, most likely because the activity occurs when the nervous system is still developing.

Medicine & Health / Neuroscience

created Nov 15, 2011 | popularity 2 / 5 (3) | comments 6 | with audio podcast

Do lazy mammals live longer?

Small furry mammals partial to a daily dose of hibernation in winter are probably extending their lifespan at the same time, according to a study published Wednesday.

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Sep 14, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Researchers publish paper on CHO-K1 cell genome sequencing

The Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell is one of the most preferred hosts used to manufacture therapeutic proteins -- genes that are added to "cell factories" to produce proteins that are later turned into medicines. 

Biology / Biotechnology

created Aug 05, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Blueberry's effects on cholesterol examined in lab animal study

Laboratory hamsters that were fed rations spiked with blueberry peels and other blueberry-juice-processing leftovers had better cholesterol health than hamsters whose rations weren't enhanced with blueberries. That's according ...

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created May 31, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Light at night causes changes in brain linked to depression

Exposure to even dim light at night is enough to cause physical changes in the brains of hamsters that may be associated with depression, a new study shows.

Medicine & Health / Neuroscience

created Nov 17, 2010 | popularity 4.6 / 5 (14) | comments 12 | with audio podcast

How alcohol blunts the ability of hamsters to 'rise and shine'

Chronic alcohol consumption blunts the biological clock's ability to synchronize daily activities to light, disrupts natural activity patterns and continues to affect the body's clock (circadian rhythm), even days after the ...

Medicine & Health / Research

created Sep 01, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 7

Running Hamsters Can Power Nano Devices (Video)

(PhysOrg.com) -- Among the vast number of untapped energy sources are finger taps, heartbeats, and even hamsters running on exercise wheels. In a recent study, researchers from Georgia Tech have shown that ...

Nanotechnology / Nanophysics

created Feb 12, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 7 weblog

Researchers shed light on fat burning

Researchers at Georgia State University have found that fat cells give feedback to the brain in order to regulate fat burning much the same way a thermostat regulates temperature inside a house.

Medicine & Health / Research

created Feb 05, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0