Turkish hamster

Turkish hamster
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Cricetinae
Genus: Mesocricetus
Species:
M. brandti
Binomial name
Mesocricetus brandti
(Nehring, 1898)

The Turkish hamster (Mesocricetus brandti), also referred to as Brandt's hamster,[1][2] Azerbaijani hamster,[2] or avurtlak,[3] is a species of hamster native to Turkey,[2] Azerbaijan and other surrounding nations.[1] The Turkish hamster, first catalogued in 1878,[1] is a fairly close relative of the Syrian or golden hamster,[2] though far less is known about it, and it is rarely kept as a pet. The population of the Turkish hamster is said to be declining in the wild,[1] yet this hamster is often used in laboratory testing.[2] Turkish hamsters have lifespans of about two years[2] and are solitary,[2][4] nocturnal animals, which practice hibernation.[1][2] They are reported to be more aggressive[2] than other members of the family Cricetidae.[2] They are tan and dark, sandy brown in color.[3] Like all hamsters, the Turkish hamster has cheek pouches that allow it to carry large amounts of food at one time.[3]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Kryštufek, B.; Yigit, N.; Amori, G. (2008). "Mesocricetus brandti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T13220A3421550. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T13220A3421550.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Turkish Hamster". Hamster-Care. Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c "Mesocricetus brandti - Turkish Hamster". TrekNature. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  4. ^ "Turkish Hamster". Pet Web Site. Retrieved April 19, 2011.