Higher classification Mesocricetus | Phylum Chordata Scientific name Mesocricetus newtoni Rank Species | |
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Similar Hamster, Ciscaucasian hamster, Turkish hamster, Tibetan dwarf hamster, Mesocricetus | ||
The Romanian hamster or Dobrudja hamster (Mesocricetus newtoni) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in Bulgaria and Romania.
Contents
Description
The Romanian hamster has brown dorsal (back) fur and a white underside. The top of the head has a dark stripe that extends to the neck. The dark cheek stripes extend back to the shoulder. Its head-body length is up to 180 mm and its weight ranges from 80 to 115 g. Its dental formula is 1/1, 0/0, 0/0, 3/3.
Behavior
The Romanian hamster is a nocturnal or crepuscular species. It lives solitarily in a complex burrow system. It eats seeds, legumes, rooted vegetables, and grasses, but also insects. It transports its food with its elastic cheek pouches to the food chambers. They reach sexual maturity when 56–70 days old and breed through early April to August. The common hamster has a gestation of 15 days, gives birth to a litter of 1–12 and weans after three weeks of pregnancy. It communicates by squeaking or with ultra-sound. Both sexes flank mark by rubbing their glands against objects.