Gray Hamster - Keskek, Tok Chychkan, Sur Alaman

Gray Hamster.

In Kyrgyzstan, it inhabits virgin steppe areas dominated by grass vegetation, and is often found in shrub and tree biotopes, gardens, and parks, especially those overgrown with weeds. It is most numerous in cereal fields and human structures. The population is generally low, not exceeding 2-6% occurrence. In burrows, there is usually one nest at a depth of 30-50 cm with soft bedding, and 1-2 storages of seeds, fruits, and leaves. It often uses the burrows of other rodents (ground squirrels, sand rats, mouse-like rodents). In human structures, it lives in basements and wall voids. It does not hibernate here; it remains active in winter under deep snow and at temperatures of -15 to -20°C, both in natural biotopes and in haystacks and human buildings. In winter, activity is sharply reduced; the hamster does not leave its burrows and survives on stored food. Its habit of making reserves helps it endure long periods of food scarcity. It is omnivorous.

The hamster has large, shiny eyes. Its soft, short, ash-gray fur, snow-white belly, small ears, and short tail. Body length up to 123 mm, tail up to 37 mm (25-34% of body length). The ear shells are monochromatic, without a light edge. The upper coloration is uniform, ranging from dark to light ash-gray with a pale hue. Long black tips of the guard hairs create a darkening along the middle of the back, which in the darkest forms can take on the character of an unclear longitudinal black stripe, while in lighter forms it is only present in some individuals as a darkening of the middle of the back in its rear section.

The upper coloration often extends into the light coloration of the sides with two or three small angles. The soles are covered with hair up to the calluses.

It breeds throughout the warm season, producing 2-3 litters of 7-9 young each. The spring litter may participate in reproduction in the fall.

Red Book