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Hamster Knowledge Trivia Quiz

This is a quiz about our beloved but little-known hamsters.

A multiple-choice quiz by morpion1. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
morpion1

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
102,784

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
20

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
12 / 20

Plays
3495

Last 3 plays: Guest 84 (13/20), Guest 107 (16/20), Guest 47 (8/20).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 20

1. Hamsters were named from the German word "hamstern" which means: Hint

to hoard

to burrow

to gnaw

to crawl

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Question 2 of 20

2. The natural habitat of the Golden hamster is: Hint

the forest

the desert

the grasslands

the mountains

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Question 3 of 20

3. Hamsters are primarily which of these? Hint

nocturnal

cathemeral

diurnal

always sleepy

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Question 4 of 20

4. Hamsters have glands for marking their territory - they are located on each side of their hips.

True

False

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Question 5 of 20

5. How many species of hamster are there in the sub family of Cricetinae? Hint

around 48

around 8

around 36

around 24

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Question 6 of 20

6. All hamsters have no tail - true or false?

True

False

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Question 7 of 20

7. Hamsters were unknown until the 19th century.

True

False

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Question 8 of 20

8. In what country were hamsters first discovered? Hint

Morocco

South Africa

Syria

Madagascar

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Question 9 of 20

9. Hamsters are shortsighted.

True

False

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Question 10 of 20

10. Hamsters are used as laboratory animals - true or false?

True

False

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Question 11 of 20

11. What is the general lifespan of a hamster? Hint

5 years

9 to 14 months

2-3 years

6 months

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Question 12 of 20

12. Golden, or Syrian, hamsters must be caged alone.

True

False

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Question 13 of 20

13. What is the severe bacterial hamster ailment? Hint

wet tail

vomiting

discharge from ears

suppurating eyes

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Question 14 of 20

14. Should you give your hamster a bath in a bowl of water?

Yes

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Question 15 of 20

15. Hamsters are especially prone to: Hint

respiratory problems

leprosy

stomach upset

mites

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Question 16 of 20

16. To avoid stressing a hamster her cage must be: Hint

All of these

Roomy

Clean

In a quiet place

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Question 17 of 20

17. Hamsters are vegetarians - true or false?

True

False

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Question 18 of 20

18. Hamsters reach sexual maturity at around 4 weeks.

True

False

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Question 19 of 20

19. How often does the female hamster go in heat? Hint

Every two weeks

Every 28 days

Every ten days

Every three days

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Question 20 of 20

20. How long is the gestation period of a female Syrian hamster? Hint

16 to 18 days

30 to 35 days

25 to 30 days

32 to 36 days

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 19 2024 : Guest 84: 13/20
Apr 15 2024 : Guest 107: 16/20
Apr 13 2024 : Guest 47: 8/20
Apr 08 2024 : Guest 46: 15/20
Mar 19 2024 : gogetem: 14/20
Mar 16 2024 : Guest 206: 16/20
Mar 16 2024 : Guest 104: 16/20
Mar 16 2024 : Guest 86: 16/20
Mar 14 2024 : Guest 69: 15/20

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Hamsters were named from the German word "hamstern" which means:

Answer: to hoard

It's because they store food in their cheeks and then hide it in their burrow for a rainy day.

2. The natural habitat of the Golden hamster is:

Answer: the desert

That's why they need their exercise wheel - they have to run miles at night in the desert to find enough food.

3. Hamsters are primarily which of these?

Answer: nocturnal

It's because they were originally desert animals - leaving their burrows only at night when the desert temperature fell.

4. Hamsters have glands for marking their territory - they are located on each side of their hips.

Answer: True

Even though they have glands, they have almost no smell for humans.

5. How many species of hamster are there in the sub family of Cricetinae?

Answer: around 24

They range in size from the tiny dwarfs that measure only 2 to 4 inches in length to the common hamster which may reach lengths of up to 8 to 11 inches. Only five species are commonly kept as pets, though.

6. All hamsters have no tail - true or false?

Answer: false

Yes, some hamsters in the wild do have a tail. They are the Chinese hamster (China, Europe and Russia), mouselike hamsters (the middle east), and white-tailed hamsters (South Africa).

7. Hamsters were unknown until the 19th century.

Answer: False

Even though hamsters didn't make a big splash until the 20th century, they were recorded in scientific literature as early as 1774.

8. In what country were hamsters first discovered?

Answer: Syria

They were discovered by British zoologist George Waterhouse and have been popular as pets in England for a long time.

9. Hamsters are shortsighted.

Answer: True

Hamsters are also colorblind.

10. Hamsters are used as laboratory animals - true or false?

Answer: true

It was actually in labs that the hamster's suitability as a pet was discovered - as well as how to treat it in captivity.

11. What is the general lifespan of a hamster?

Answer: 2-3 years

They have such a high metabolism rate that they literally "burn out".

12. Golden, or Syrian, hamsters must be caged alone.

Answer: true

They are very territorial and if put in the same cage they will fight, sometimes to the death.

13. What is the severe bacterial hamster ailment?

Answer: wet tail

This requires an immediate trip to the vet for antibiotics. It can be brought on by stress.

14. Should you give your hamster a bath in a bowl of water?

Answer: No

This is the Felix Unger of the rodent family. They are constantly grooming themselves by passing their little hands in their mouths and then rubbing their fur.

15. Hamsters are especially prone to:

Answer: respiratory problems

Probably because they originated in the desert they have problems with life in a house (and people with colds). (Ref "The Hamster" by Betsy Sikora Siino)

16. To avoid stressing a hamster her cage must be:

Answer: All of these

Clean the cage regularly, but not every day as this can confuse the hamster. They like everything in its place, so don't move things around and leave a little original bedding in place so the nest seems familiar.

17. Hamsters are vegetarians - true or false?

Answer: false

They love yogurt and will scarf up cooked meat and will even eat cheese and eggs. They are basically omnivorous.

18. Hamsters reach sexual maturity at around 4 weeks.

Answer: True

The sexes should be separated when they are young to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

19. How often does the female hamster go in heat?

Answer: Every three days

It's because they live alone and only frequent a male when they are ready to mate - so they need to be capable of getting pregnant pretty often.

20. How long is the gestation period of a female Syrian hamster?

Answer: 16 to 18 days

This is one of the shortest in the order Rodentia.

Source: Author morpion1

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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