Romanian Golden Hamster

The Romanian hamster or Dobrudja hamster (Mesocricetus newtoni) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in Bulgaria and Romania. The scientific name honors the British ornithologist Alfred Newton, who had published a short description and an illustration of this species in 1870 without knowing it to be a valid species. == Description == The Romanian hamster has brown dorsal (back) fur and a white underside. The top of the head has a dark stripe that extends to the neck. The dark cheek stripes extend back to the shoulder. Its head-body length is up to 180 mm (7 in) and its weight ranges from 80 to 115 g (3–4 oz). Its dental formula is 1.0.0.31.0.0.3. This species is primarily found in steppic, uncultivated xerophilous landscapes of South-Eastern Romania's and North-Eastern Bulgaria's Dobruja region, often inhabiting lowlands along the right bank of the Danube River, while occasionally venturing into cultivated lands such as alfalfa fields and corn cultures. == Behavior == Closely related to the well-known Syrian hamster, the Romanian hamster is a species known for its nocturnal or crepuscular behavior, meaning it is most active during the night or twilight hours. These hamsters lead a solitary…