Golden (Syrian) Hamster

The Syrian or golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) has been by far the most extensively used species in the laboratory. The hamster has unique characteristics which make it a valuable and well suited laboratory animal for biomedical research. The eversible cheek pouch is particularly suited for studies on the micro circulation and also for the transplantation of neonatal, adult, and neoplastic tissues.

The Syrian hamster is considered by some investigators to be well suited for teratology studies due to its short gestation period of 15-18 days, as opposed to the 21 or more days of other hamster species and common laboratory rodents.