Romanian hamster

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Romanian hamster
Systematics
Subordination : Mouse relatives (Myomorpha)
Superfamily : Mice-like (Muroidea)
Family : Burrowers (Cricetidae)
Subfamily : Hamster (Cricetinae)
Genre : Middle hamster ( Mesocricetus )
Type : Romanian hamster
Scientific name
Mesocricetus newtoni
( Nehring , 1898)

The Romanian hamster or Romanian golden hamster ( Mesocricetus newtoni ) is a mammal from the hamster subfamily (Cricetinae). The small European distribution area of ​​the species is limited to the right-hand depression of the Danube in Bulgaria and Romania . The animals predominantly inhabit dry and stony areas with little vegetation, but also vegetable crops, gardens and vineyards. The population is possibly declining, the IUCN therefore puts the Romanian hamster on the warning list ("near threatened").

Mark

The Romanian golden hamster is about the same size as the well-known Syrian golden hamster . The head-trunk length is 140–170 mm, the tail length 18–26 mm, the length of the hind feet 18–26 mm and the ear length 14–22 mm. The animals weigh 80-150 g. The fur is gray-brown on the top, a black eel line stretches from the head to the middle of the back . There is a black stripe below the ears. The throat and front chest are extensive black-brown, the rest of the underside is gray-yellowish.

distribution and habitat

The small European distribution area of ​​the species is limited to the right-hand depression of the Danube in Bulgaria and Romania . The size of the populated area is not exactly known, it is in any case not larger than 50,000 km² and possibly only around 2000 km². The animals predominantly inhabit dry and stony steppes with little vegetation, but also vegetable crops, gardens and vineyards from sea level to 460 m.

Way of life

Romanian hamsters are crepuscular and nocturnal. The animals are loners and create earthworks with several entrances, bedrooms and storage chambers. The species is omnivorous, the diet consists of green parts of plants, seeds, fruits, small vertebrates and invertebrates .

Existence and endangerment

Romanian golden hamsters are nowhere common within their small distribution area, the total population of Romania was estimated at around 3000 adult individuals in 1995 . The settlement density is subject to fluctuations, however, mass increases only occur locally and irregularly. The species will certainly be negatively influenced by the intensification of agriculture and a decline in the population is feared, but has not yet been proven. Due to the small total area and the presumably negative population development, the IUCN has the Romanian hamster on the warning list ("near threatened").

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Individual evidence

  1. ↑ The Romanian Hamster on the IUCN Red List, distribution map

literature

  • S. Aulagnier, P. Haffner, AJ Mitchell-Jones, F. Moutou, J. Zima: The mammals of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East - The destination guide. Haupt Verlag; Bern, Stuttgart, Vienna, 2009: pp. 188–189. ISBN 978-3-258-07506-8
  • AJ Mitchell-Jones, G. Amori, W. Bogdanowicz, B. Krystufek, PJH Reijnders, F. Spitzenberger, M. Stubbe, JBM Thissen, V. Vohralik, J. Zima: The Atlas of European Mammals. Poyser, London, 1999: pp. 206-207. ISBN 0-85661-130-1

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