MESOCRICETUS AURATUS Meaning and
Definition
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Mesocricetus auratus, commonly known as Golden hamster, is a small, burrowing rodent that belongs to the family Cricetidae and is native to the deserts of Syria and surrounding areas. It has a relatively large body with a squat and cylindrical shape, short legs, and a thick fur coat that ranges in color from golden brown to reddish-brown, giving it its name. With a length of around 5 to 7 inches, excluding the tail, and weighing anywhere between 100-150 grams, these animals are widely kept as pets, laboratory animals, and exhibition animals due to their docile behavior and adaptability in captivity.
Golden hamsters are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during twilight hours, which allows them to avoid extreme heat in their natural desert habitat. They exhibit solitary behavior and are territorial, making them prefer to live alone in the wild. Their burrows are complex systems consisting of multiple tunnels that run horizontally and vertically, with rooms for nesting, storing food, and even toileting areas.
In addition to their burrowing behavior, golden hamsters are known for their cheek pouches, which they use to transport and store food. These pouches are located on both sides of their head and can extend all the way to their shoulders, allowing them to carry a large amount of food in a single trip to their burrow.
Overall, Mesocricetus auratus is an adaptable and intriguing small mammal, known for its social behavior, unique physical characteristics, and being a popular choice as a pet due to its charming and friendly demeanor.
Common Misspellings for MESOCRICETUS AURATUS
- nesocricetus auratus
- kesocricetus auratus
- jesocricetus auratus
- mwsocricetus auratus
- mssocricetus auratus
- mdsocricetus auratus
- mrsocricetus auratus
- m4socricetus auratus
- m3socricetus auratus
- meaocricetus auratus
- mezocricetus auratus
- mexocricetus auratus
- medocricetus auratus
- meeocricetus auratus
- mewocricetus auratus
- mesicricetus auratus
- meskcricetus auratus
- meslcricetus auratus
- mespcricetus auratus
Etymology of MESOCRICETUS AURATUS
The word Mesocricetus auratus is a scientific name for a species of rodent known as the Syrian hamster. When examining its etymology:
1. Mesocricetus is derived from the Greek words meso meaning middle or between, and krikos meaning ring or circle. The term refers to the characteristic circular shape of the cheek pouches found in hamsters, distinguishing them from other rodents.
2. Auratus is a Latin adjective meaning golden or gilded. It describes the typical golden fur color of the Syrian hamster, although they come in other color variations as well.
So, Mesocricetus auratus essentially translates to golden middle-ringed hamster or hamster with golden cheek pouches.
