Did Hamsters Evolve from Rats?

Hamsters are closely related to other small rodents including mice, rats and voles.

Where did hamsters evolve from?

The first hamsters were discovered in Syria, though they also live in Greece, Romania, Belgium and northern China. In the wild, they like to live in warm, dry areas, like steppes, sand dunes and the edges of deserts.

Is the hamster a rat?

Hamsters are indeed rodents, along with other popular pets such as gerbils, guinea pigs, mice and rats. ... Many of the rodent family live in burrows, trees, or thick vegetation, something that keeps them safe in a world where most predators have a taste for small rodents.