Hamsters have very poor eyesight, but have very sensitive hearing and a keen sense of smell. Its long whiskers are used, like the cat, to help the hamster judge whether it can fit through a tight spot without getting stuck.
Hamsters have relatively short fur, although certain varieties are bred to have different coat types (such as long fur) like the Angora or "teddy bear" hamster. Hamsters are bred to be a variety of colours and have different markings on their fur. A hamster's fur is soft and silky, certain breeds also have shiny fur.
Hamsters love to burrow. When they dig, they scoop the dirt with their front paws and flick it underneath them. Then, with their back legs, they kick the dirt behind them. Every so often they clear the tunnel by pushing all the loose dirt to the surface.
Syrian or Golden hamsters are solitary, and will defend their burrow fiercely against other hamsters. Most species of Dwarf hamsters, however, live in small families or communities; that is why several Dwarf hamsters can be kept in the same cage, and Syrian hamsters must be housed seperately.
