Also called Teddy bear hamster, Longhair Syrian, Long-haired golden hamster, Angora hamster (pet-trade name)
VarietyDeep profile
From The long-hair mutation was first noticed in pet-shop Syrian hamsters in the United States around 1972 and was described scientifically in 1973. The species itself comes from the Aleppo area of northern Syria.12
Same body as any Syrian hamster. Merck gives 110-140 g for adults, Animal Diversity Web 100-125 g, and Wikipedia notes captive-bred Syrians can reach 175-225 g; Hamster Info Ireland gives 100-200 g with some reaching about 300 g. Females are usually the larger sex.
A standard Syrian hamster in every way except its coat. The body is broad and cobby with a large, wide head, short face and blunt nose. The fur is soft and thick and grows long over the back and sides, while the face stays short-haired. Bucks grow far more hair than does, often forming a flowing 'skirt' around the hindquarters, with individual hairs reaching up to about 10 cm. Females carry a noticeably shorter coat, though still longer than a short-haired Syrian's, and may develop longer wisps at the rear as they mature. The difference between long and short-haired babies shows from about three weeks old. The long coat can be combined with satin (extra shine) or rex (which gives long-haired animals a wavy look).8172
ColoursGolden (agouti)CreamWhiteBlondeCinnamonTortoiseshellBlackGrey shadesDominant spotBandedDiluteAny other Syrian colour or pattern278
Personality what they are like
Temperament is the same as any Syrian hamster: an independent, curious night owl that is busiest in the evening and at night. With calm, regular handling most become relaxed about being picked up, and they are happiest when left to sleep undisturbed during the day.269
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Very active from evening through the night; wild Syrians can travel several kilometres in a night of foraging. Offer a solid-surface wheel of at least 28 cm (up to about 33 cm for big animals) so the back stays straight; long-haired males do best on a larger wheel without a central spindle the fur could catch on. Add deep bedding for digging, tunnels, chews and scattered food for foraging.5149
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The hamster keeps its own coat in order, so routine brushing is not needed and can actually break the hairs or thin the coat. If bedding or food gets tangled in the fur, the affected hair can be carefully trimmed. A sand dish can be offered for the hamster's own grooming. Spot-clean the enclosure every few days and do a fuller clean once or twice a month.1109
Home where they are happiest
Same as for other Syrians: a solid-floored enclosure of at least 100 x 50 cm (about 5,000 sq cm; some large females appreciate more), with deep bedding of 20 cm or more for burrowing. Use dust-free paper or aspen-type bedding rather than cedar or pine, plain hay or paper for nesting, and several hides. Keep indoors, away from draughts and direct sun, at about 18-26 C.591011
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A good hamster pellet or seed mix as the base, small portions of fresh greens and vegetables, a little fruit now and then, and occasional protein such as insects. Keep treats to a small share of the diet and always provide fresh water. Grapes and rhubarb should be avoided.11129
Company who they like around
Syrian hamsters are naturally solitary and territorial, so a long-haired Syrian should live on its own. It enjoys gentle, regular interaction with its owner and a well-furnished enclosure.642
The story where it all began
The Syrian hamster was first described by Patrick Russell in 1797 and named as a species by George Robert Waterhouse in 1839. In April 1930 zoologist Israel Aharoni collected a mother and litter near Aleppo for Saul Adler's research, and descendants reached Britain in 1931, private breeders from 1937 and the United States around 1938; mitochondrial studies suggest all pet Syrians trace back to one female. All early hamsters were short-haired and golden. A long-hair mutation then turned up in pet-shop hamsters in the United States around 1972, and Schimke, Nixon and Connelly described it in the Journal of Heredity in 1973. The gene (symbol l) is a simple recessive, so two long-haired parents produce only long-haired young. Pet shops soon marketed the fluffy animals as 'teddy bear' hamsters, and hamster clubs adopted Long Haired as a show coat. Breeders still work to improve coat length and density, which can take years of selection.13217
Fun facts for the dinner table
1
The 'teddy bear' name is a pet-shop marketing label, not a separate breed: it is simply a Syrian hamster with the long-hair gene.7
2
A well-coated male can grow hairs up to about 10 cm long, often forming a 'skirt' around his back end.7
3
Show standards expect males to have longer fur than females, and females are not marked down for their shorter coats.8
4
Long hair is recessive, so two long-haired parents always have long-haired babies.1
5
When combined with the rex gene, a long coat turns wavy rather than curly.7
6
You can usually tell long-haired from short-haired babies at about three weeks old.1
7
Every pet Syrian hamster, long-haired ones included, is thought to descend from a single female caught near Aleppo in 1930.2
Recognised by the official bits
National Hamster Council (UK)
Long Haired is a recognised Syrian coat variety in the NHC exhibition standard; the coat should be soft, very dense and evenly long over the whole top of the body (shorter on the face), males are expected to carry longer fur than females, and the coat may be combined with satin and/or rex.8
California Hamster Association (USA)
Describes and promotes the Long Haired Syrian as a coat type and quotes the British Hamster Association show standard (soft, very dense fur, evenly long over the top surface, males longer than females).1
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for a Long-haired Syrian Hamster. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Spot cleanevery 2 days
Deep cleanKeep some old bedding so it smells like homeevery 3 weeks
Food stash checkevery 3 days
Nails checkevery month
Wheel checkA large solid wheelevery 2 weeks
Vet check-upevery year
Treats they will love homemade and simple
Hamster and Gerbil Fresh Veggie and Herb Mix
A simple, safe daily supplement that provides essential vitamins, hydration and enrichment for hamsters and gerbils.
You need
1 small piece of carrot (about the size of a pea)
1 small piece of broccoli (about the size of a pea)
1 small piece of cucumber (about the size of a pea)
1 small piece of apple (without seeds, about the size of a pea)
1 small leaf of basil or parsley
How
Wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly.
Cut the carrot, broccoli, cucumber and apple into pieces no larger than a pea.
Tear the herb leaf into tiny pieces.
Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
Offer a total of 1.5 to 4.5 teaspoons of this mix per day, depending on the size of your pet.
How much: 1.5 to 4.5 teaspoons per day for hamsters and gerbils
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Long-haired Syrian Hamster?
Feed a small amount of hamster pellet or seed mix daily, plus fresh greens and vegetables in moderation. Always provide fresh water and check the food stash every few days to remove any spoiled items.1112Pet Wiki plan
What should a Long-haired Syrian Hamster eat, and which foods are dangerous?
A good base is hamster pellets or seed mix, with small portions of fresh greens, vegetables, and occasional fruit or protein like insects. Avoid grapes, rhubarb, and all foods listed as toxic by the ASPCA, such as chocolate, caffeine, onions, garlic, and xylitol.111214
Should I bathe a Long-haired Syrian Hamster?
No, you should not bathe your hamster. It keeps its own coat clean, and a sand dish can be offered for grooming. If bedding gets tangled, carefully trim the affected hair instead.1109
Does a Long-haired Syrian Hamster need brushing?
Routine brushing is not needed and can actually break the hairs or thin the coat. If you notice tangles, carefully trim the affected fur instead.1109
How do I look after a Long-haired Syrian Hamster's nails and teeth?
Check nails monthly and trim if needed, but never use human nail clippers. Provide wooden chews and hard food to help wear down teeth naturally. For any concerns, ask your vet.11Pet Wiki plan
How much space and exercise does a Long-haired Syrian Hamster need?
Provide a solid-floored enclosure at least 100 x 50 cm with deep bedding for burrowing. Offer a solid wheel at least 28 cm (larger for long-haired males) and plenty of tunnels, chews, and scattered food for foraging.5149
Should a Long-haired Syrian Hamster live alone or with friends?
Syrian hamsters are solitary and territorial, so your long-haired Syrian should live alone. It will enjoy gentle daily interaction with you and a well-furnished enclosure.642
How long does a Long-haired Syrian Hamster live?
They typically live between 1.5 and 3 years. With good care, a healthy diet, and regular vet check-ups, you can help your hamster enjoy its full lifespan.346
Is a Long-haired Syrian Hamster a good pet for children?
They can be good for calm, older children who understand they need quiet handling and daytime sleep. With regular gentle interaction, most become relaxed about being picked up.269
How do I hold a Long-haired Syrian Hamster?
Approach slowly and gently scoop it up with both hands, supporting its body. Let it get used to your scent first, and always handle it calmly, especially in the evening when it's most active.269
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Syrian Hamster