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Species of Hamsters Trivia Quiz

While this quiz does focus mainly on the five species of hamster most commonly kept as pets, there are a couple questions about less common species.

A multiple-choice quiz by efvie. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
efvie

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
291,230

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
922

Question 1 of 10

1. Of the following species, which is NOT one of the five most commonly kept pet hamsters? Hint

Mongolian hamster

Chinese hamster

Dwarf Campbells Russian hamster

Roborovski hamster

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Question 2 of 10

2. The most commonly kept hamster is the Syrian hamster. What else is it sometimes known as? Hint

cuddly hamster

common hamster

teddy bear hamster

Brandt's hamster

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Question 3 of 10

3. Originally found in the Middle East, this hamster is one of the few that does not have cheek pouches. What is it called? Hint

Roborovski hamster

lesser long-tailed hamster

mouse-like hamster

Ladak hamster

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Question 4 of 10

4. The dwarf winter white Russian hamster changes colors during the winter time, donning its white winter coat. Typically, will these hamsters breed when they are sporting this color of fur?

Yes

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which of the following could be used to describe the Chinese hamster as a pet?

Hint

timid but of good temperament

extremely active when handled

bold and prone to biting

easy to breed and can be found in any pet shop

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which is the smallest of the most commonly kept hamsters? Hint

Syrian hamster

dwarf winter white Russian hamster

dwarf Campbells Russian hamster

Roborovski hamster

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Question 7 of 10

7. Only two of the five species of hamsters most commonly kept as pets can interbreed successfully.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. All of the five main species of hamsters should be caged alone, as to put them in with other hamsters is to invite a fight.

True

False

9. Both species of dwarf Russian hamsters are referred to as Djungarian hamsters, the dwarf winter whites by the Russians, and the dwarf Campbells by American scientists. Why are both of these inaccurate? Hint

neither species lives in Djungaria

only the dwarf winter white Russian hamster lives in Djungaria

only the dwarf Campbells Russian hamster lives in Djungaria

no one knows where these hamsters originate

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Question 10 of 10

10. Being similar in size to a guinea pig, what is the largest of the hamster species? Hint

European hamster

Turkish hamster

Rumanian hamster

Syrian hamster

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Of the following species, which is NOT one of the five most commonly kept pet hamsters?

Answer: Mongolian hamster

I could find very little information about the Mongolian hamster, other than that it is found in Mongolia and China. The Syrian is the most common, with the other four main species have varying popularity.

2. The most commonly kept hamster is the Syrian hamster. What else is it sometimes known as?

Answer: teddy bear hamster

Some other nicknames of the Syrian hamster include golden hamster, standard hamster, and fancy hamster.

3. Originally found in the Middle East, this hamster is one of the few that does not have cheek pouches. What is it called?

Answer: mouse-like hamster

The mouse-like hamster usually only breeds between March and June, and typically only have one or two litters of three to four young per year. They are not commonly seen in the wild, but recently zoos in the UK have begun importing them.

4. The dwarf winter white Russian hamster changes colors during the winter time, donning its white winter coat. Typically, will these hamsters breed when they are sporting this color of fur?

Answer: No

Sometimes there is only a lightening in color of the fur, or splotches of white, during the shorter daylight hours of winter, whereas other times the fur will turn almost completely white. This characteristic is one of the ways in which the dwarf winter white Russian hamster differs from the dwarf Campbells Russian hamster, although in other ways they are very similar.

5. Which of the following could be used to describe the Chinese hamster as a pet?

Answer: timid but of good temperament

Belonging to a group of hamsters referred to as rat-like hamsters, these are not as commonly kept as the Syrians or the Russian dwarves. They are rather mousy-looking, with noticeable tails and long slender bodies. They can make good pets for someone who would rather sit back and watch them play in a large enclosure, rather than for children who want to play with them.

6. Which is the smallest of the most commonly kept hamsters?

Answer: Roborovski hamster

These little guys measure at only 4-5 centimeters in length! They are very fast and active, making them unsuitable pets for children.

7. Only two of the five species of hamsters most commonly kept as pets can interbreed successfully.

Answer: True

These two are the two types of dwarf Russian hamsters -- the dwarf Campbells Russian hamster, and the dwarf winter white Russian hamster. They are very similar in appearance, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between a purebred of either breed and a hybrid.

8. All of the five main species of hamsters should be caged alone, as to put them in with other hamsters is to invite a fight.

Answer: False

The Syrian hamster is extremely territorial in the wild, and this is no less true in captivity. Never put a Syrian in a cage with another of the same sex. Even when confining them together for breeding purposes, opposite sex pairings will fight.

The other species are sociable animals and can be kept in mixed or same-sex groups.

Answer: neither species lives in Djungaria

Djungaria is an extinct kingdom somewhere northward of the Celestial Mountains.

The dwarf Campbells Russian hamster lives on the steppes and semi-deserts of Central Asia. The dwarf winter white Russian hamster is from eastern Kazakhstan and southwest Siberia.

10. Being similar in size to a guinea pig, what is the largest of the hamster species?

Answer: European hamster

While the Syrian hamster is the largest of the species usually kept for pets, at about 15 centimeters in length, the European hamster ranges at about 22 centimeters as the short end for females to 32 centimeters at the long end for males. In addition to being similar in size to guinea pigs, their faces kind of look like guinea pigs too.

Source: Author efvie

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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