The golden hamster or Syrian hamster, Mesocricetus auratus, is a very well known member of the rodent

Rodent

Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....

 subfamily Cricetinae, the hamster

Hamster

Hamsters are rodents belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae. The subfamily contains about 25 species, classified in six or seven genera....

s. In the wild they are now considered vulnerable. Their numbers have been declining due to loss of habitat (caused by agriculture) and deliberate destruction by humans. However, they are popular as pets and scientific research animals. Adults are from 5 to 7 in (12.7 to 17.8 cm) long, and have an average lifespan of 1000 days or 2 to 3 years.