Hamsters and rats are often grouped due to their shared classification as rodents, but they are distinct species. While both belong to the order Rodentia, they are part of separate biological families, leading to unique characteristics and behaviors. This article examines the key distinctions between hamsters and rats, including their classifications, traits, and how these influence their lives as pets.
Their Scientific Relationship
Hamsters and rats, despite some similarities, are distinct. Both are part of the order Rodentia, a large group of gnawing mammals. However, their taxonomic paths diverge at the family level.
Hamsters belong to the family Cricetidae, including popular pet species like the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) and various dwarf hamsters (Phodopus species). In contrast, rats fall under the family Muridae, with common species like the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the black rat (Rattus rattus). Their genetic differences prevent interbreeding.
Distinctive Traits
Hamsters and rats possess a range of observable traits that set them apart, from their physical appearance to their behaviors. These distinctions are intrinsic to each species.
Rats generally exhibit a larger body size compared to most hamsters. An average rat can reach 6 to 8 inches in body length, not including its tail, while hamsters typically measure between 2 to 6 inches long. This size disparity extends to their tails; hamsters have short, stubby, and often furry tails, whereas rats possess long, scaly, and largely hairless tails that can be as long as or even longer than their bodies. Hamsters also feature prominent cheek pouches, which they use to store and transport food. These specialized pouches are absent in rats.
Behaviorally, their activity patterns and social structures differ. Most hamsters are crepuscular or nocturnal, meaning they are most active during dawn, dusk, or night hours. Rats can also be nocturnal or crepuscular, though some species and individuals may exhibit activity during the day. Hamsters are well-known for their strong hoarding tendencies, stuffing their cheek pouches with food to carry back to their burrows. While rats also store food, this behavior is not as pronounced.
Socially, many hamster species, particularly the Syrian hamster, are solitary and territorial, preferring to live alone. Introducing multiple Syrian hamsters to the same cage can lead to aggression. Conversely, rats are highly social animals that thrive in groups and communicate through various means. They form complex social hierarchies and often engage in social grooming and play behavior.
Natural Habits and Pet Care
The characteristics of hamsters and rats influence their natural behaviors and the care they require as pets. Their wild origins shape their needs, which should be met in captivity.
Wild hamsters typically inhabit warm, dry regions such as steppes, sand dunes, and desert edges across Europe and Asia. They are skilled burrowers, constructing underground tunnels for shelter, nesting, and food storage. In the wild, hamsters are omnivores, consuming seeds, grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and insects.
Rats are highly adaptable, found globally in diverse environments, from forests and fields to urban areas and sewers, often near humans. Their diet in the wild is omnivorous and opportunistic. Some rat species, like the Norway rat, are proficient burrowers, while others, like the roof rat, prefer elevated habitats.
For pet hamsters, their natural burrowing instinct means they require deep bedding, ideally 6 to 10 inches. Cages for Syrian hamsters should provide a minimum of 900 square inches of unbroken floor space, while dwarf hamsters need at least 700 square inches. Due to their solitary nature, Syrian hamsters must be housed alone to prevent conflict. Their diet should consist of high-quality hamster pellets, supplemented with fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich treats.
Pet rats benefit from social interaction and should be housed in same-sex pairs or groups. Their intelligence and social needs necessitate spacious, multi-level cages with enrichment like hammocks, climbing structures, and chew toys. A single rat requires an enclosure of at least 24” L x 24” W x 24” H, with larger spaces for groups. Pet rats also require daily interaction and playtime outside their cage. Their diet should be a balanced pelleted rat food, supplemented with fresh produce and occasional lean protein sources.