Whether you are looking to buy a hamster or are just interested in learning more about hamsters this article will provide you with some amazing hamster facts.

Probably the two most amazing hamster facts are that there are only 4 breeds of hamsters in the world! When you compare hamsters to almost any other animal they have the lowest number of breeds with very few exceptions at least pertaining to animals you would want to keep as a pet.

The most amazing fact is that hamsters are also one of the smallest recognized pets. Even a goldfish can grow larger than a hamster! Of course we are not counting ants or any insect in general as a pet. So lets look at some more amazing facts about hamsters.

• The hamsters name comes from a German word that means "storing food." I guess in the wild this would be appropriate. Also if you watch a hamster long enough you will see that they do indeed hide food in their bedding as well. Leaving us to believe that even domesticated hamsters still practice their "wild" habits.
• The hamster has been a domestic pet for 80 years. At first the hamsters were used in labs and eventually sold in pet stores and by breeders.
• The sex of baby hamsters can be determined by the room temperature the mother is kept in during the 16 day gestation period. If the room is kept warm she is more likely to have males than females. If the room is kept cooler she will have more females than males.
• The Campbell Dwarf Hamster has only been around for about 13 years.
• The majority of hamsters prefer a dog biscuit over any store bought hamster treats available on the market. It is okay to feed them the dog biscuit they are just as healthy and help the hamsters keep their teeth just as thin as any hamster treat.
• Hamsters can be trained. The easiest "trick" is to teach them to come when called by their name. It only take a few days for the hamster to learn this and every time you say there name they will come to you. You should offer them a treat as a reward.
• Hamsters can recall their family members even after being separated for a lengthy time period.
• Hamsters are color blind. This is good to know - do not let the sales clerk at the pet store talk you into buying expensive pretty colored items to stimulate and entertain your hamsters. The hamsters could care less all they see is black and white!
• Hamsters can run up to seven miles a night on their wheel. This is because in the wild they travel long distances in short periods of time looking for food.
• They are nocturnal - they sleep all day and play all night at least in the wild. They adapt a more day time schedule as pets but will still sleep a good portion of the day.
• The average life span of a hamster is 1.5 to 2 years. In human years every year equals 25 years. Some hamsters have been known to live 4 years that is a 100 year old hamster!

These are just a few of the most amazing hamster facts with a little research you can easily find lots more. Hamsters are amazing little pets and are often used for therapy for depression. They are so cute and lovable they can bring a smile to almost anyone!