Hamster.

Hamster. Class Mammalia Order Rodentia Family Muridae Conservation Concerns Some species threatened due to habitat destruction. Range Europe and Asia, and worldwide in captivity. Habitat Deserts, steppes, and riverbanks. Size Largest: about 34 cm (13 in) long, weighing about 900 g (32 oz). Smallest: about 5.3 cm (2 in) long, weighing about 100 g (3.5 oz). Feeding Habits Hamsters are omnivorous; they mainly eat grains, fruit, roots, and leaves, but will also eat meat and insects. Offspring After a gestation period of about twenty days, female hamsters give birth to as many as 18 young. Life Span About two to three years. Did You Know Most hamsters are nocturnal and are rarely active during the day. Hamster burrows can be as deep as 1.5 m (5 ft) below the ground. During winter hibernation, the golden hamster's pulse rate drops from about 400 to 4 beats per minute. Of about 14 distinct species of hamsters, eight are kept as pets. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.