How long does a hamster live? The life expectancy of a hamster can vary according to breed, habitat and lifestyle. Are you willing to breed a hamster, but before you get too attached to him, you want to know how long he can live? Here’s all the answers to your doubts.
There are 19 species of hamster in the world, but only 4 or 5 can be adopted as pets. Unfortunately, these cute rodents don’t have a very long lifespan.
Factors influencing the life of a hamster
Factors influencing the life cycle of a hamster are:
1) Nutrition
A hamster will stay healthy and live longer if he is fed healthy and suitable food. Seeds and plant food, such as soya, spelt, millet and sunflower seeds, carrots, apples, celery, zucchini, lettuce, pears.
2) Breed
Breed and genetic predisposition can affect the lifespan of a hamster. The size of the species is crucial, because the smaller the species, the shorter his lifespan.
3) Habitat
In nature, hamsters have a more active lifestyle, which is very good for their health, but at the same time they face many dangers, primarily predators.
4) Daily care
A pet hamster has a cage with all the comforts, food provided every day, and is more serene because it does not have to worry about predators. This ensures greater longevity.
Hamster living at home
Correct feeding, coupled with care, will directly affect the hamster’s health. You can increase the rodent’s lifespan by providing all possible comforts in his cage. This includes plenty of room to move around, soft bedding for digging, a wheel and tubes to exercise, a feeder and drinking bottle.
Hamsters that live in a domestic environment, continuously monitored and pampered, have an average lifespan of between 1.5 and 3 years, although some specimens reach 7 years. In particular, the Syrian hamster holds the record for seniority, thanks to his “size”.
Hamster living in the wild
Hamsters living in the wild have life chances that vary greatly. On one hand, freedom of movement gives it health points and strength, but on the other hand he has to deal with snakes, eagles and other predators. Naturally, the size of the animal matters here too. The wild European hamster, a large specimen of around 35 cm, for example, can live up to 8 years! This rodent is twice the size of a common golden hamster.
Hamster breeds and lifespan
Here is how long the most common pet hamsters live on average.
- The Golden or Syrian Hamster normally lives 2 to 3 years.
- The Russian Hamster has an average life expectancy of 2 years.
- The Chinese Hamster lives between 2 and 3 years.
- The Roborovski Hamster reaches a life expectancy of 3 years, and sometimes exceeds it.
- The Campbell Hamster lives between 1.5 and 3 years.