25 Animals Like Hamsters (A to Z List with Pictures)

Examples of animals like hamsters include guinea pigs, mice, rats, chinchillas, and gerbils.

When you think of hamsters, the image that likely comes to mind is a small, furry creature with a round body and big eyes. While this is an accurate description of most hamsters, there are a few animals out there that share this appearance and are not actually hamsters.

In this article, we will take a look at some of these animals and explore the reasons why they resemble hamsters. So, if you’re curious to learn more about these lookalikes, keep reading.

Examples of Animals Like Hamsters

1. Abyssinian Guinea Pig

The Abyssinian guinea pig is a small rodent that is native to South America. Like hamsters, they have around bodies and big eyes. They are also similar in size, with adult Abyssinian guinea pigs weighing between 2 and 3 pounds.

One of the main differences between Abyssinian guinea pigs and hamsters is their coat. Abyssinian guinea pigs have a short, smooth coat while hamsters have a longer, thicker coat.

2. African Pygmy Mouse

The African pygmy mouse is one of the most common animals that people mistake for a hamster. These mice are found in Africa and measure in at just over 2 inches long. They have brown fur and large ears, which are two of the main physical characteristics that cause them to be confused with hamsters.

3. Alpaca Guinea Pig

The alpaca guinea pig is a small, furry mammal that is native to the Andes Mountains in South America. These animals are closely related to other rodents like chinchillas and capybaras. Alpacas were first introduced to Europe in the 16th century and have been kept as pets ever since.

While they might look like hamsters, alpacas are actually larger in size and have longer legs. They also have shorter tails and their fur is not as dense.

4. American Guinea Pig

The American guinea pig is a rodent that is native to South America. These animals are often kept as pets and, as such, are sometimes referred to as “pet pigs.” While they may be called pigs, they are not related to the farm animal of the same name. Rather, they belong to the family Caviidae, which includes other guinea pig species, as well as the capybara.

5. Black Rat

The black rat is a rodent that is found in many parts of the world. They are often mistaken for hamsters due to their small size and furry appearance.

One of the main reasons why black rats are often confused for hamsters is because they are both nocturnal animals.

6. Brown Rat

These rodents are often confused with hamsters due to their similar physical appearance. Both animals have small, round bodies and large eyes. However, there are a few key differences that set these two apart. For one, brown rats are much larger than hamsters, weighing in at around 10 ounces (280 grams). They also have longer tails, which hamsters do not have.

7. Bulldog Rat

This species of rodent is found in Central and South America and, as its name suggests, it has a somewhat dog-like face. However, unlike hamsters, bulldog rats are not kept as pets.

One of the most notable features of the bulldog rat is its long tail. This is something that you will not find on a hamster, as their tails are much shorter. Another difference is that bulldog rats are typically brown or gray in color, while hamsters can be a variety of colors.

8. Bush Rat

The bush rat is a small, nocturnal rodent that is found in Australia. They have brown fur and are often mistaken for hamsters. One of the main reasons for this confusion is that they are both small animals with big eyes.

9. Cactus Mouse

The cactus mouse is a small rodent that is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. They get their name from their habitat, which is often among cacti. These mice are brown or grey in color and have white bellies. They have large ears and long tails, which help them balance as they climb around on the cacti.

While they may look like hamsters, cactus mice are actually more closely related to pocket gophers. They are also much larger than hamsters, with adults reaching up to 8 inches in length (including the tail).

10. Chinchilla

Chinchillas are small, rodent-like animals that are native to South America. They have short legs, big ears, and a long tail. They are covered in thick fur that can be any number of colors, including white, black, gray, brown, and even pink. Chinchillas are popular pets because of their cute appearance and playful personality.

11. Coronet Guinea Pig

These animals are sometimes referred to as “short-haired guinea pigs” due to their similar appearance. They have a round body shape with short fur, and they come in a variety of colors.

12. Deer Mouse

The deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is a small rodent that is found throughout North America. It has a reddish-brown coat and large ears. The deer mouse is sometimes confused with the hamster because of its size and appearance.

13. Fat-tailed Gerbils

Fat-tailed gerbils look a lot like hamsters, but they are actually more closely related to mice. They are native to Africa and have long tails that are often twice the length of their bodies.

14. Great Gerbils

One of the most common hamster lookalikes is the great gerbil. Great gerbils are found in the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. They are about the same size as hamsters and have similar fur markings. The main difference between these two animals is that great gerbils have long tails, while hamsters do not.

Another difference is that great gerbils are not typically kept as pets, so you’re unlikely to find one in your local pet store.

15. Himalayan Guinea Pig

The Himalayan guinea pig, also known as the Abyssinian guinea pig, is a rodent that is native to Ethiopia. These animals are similar in appearance to hamsters, but they are actually more closely related to rabbits and beavers.

Himalayan guinea pigs have short, fur-covered bodies and long legs. They also have large, round eyes and ears that are located on the top of their head. Their tails are very short and barely visible.

16. House Mouse

The house mouse is one of the most common rodent pests in the United States. They are small animals with bodies that are only about 2-4 inches long. Their fur is typically light brown or gray and they have large ears relative to their body size.

17. Merino Guinea Pig

This breed of Guinea Pig is characterized by its thick, furry coat which can be a variety of colors including brown, black, and white. Like hamsters, they also have small, round bodies and big eyes.

One of the main reasons why they resemble hamsters is due to their size. They are one of the smaller breeds of Guinea Pigs, which puts them in the same general size range as hamsters.

18. Mongolian Gerbils

At first glance, Mongolian gerbils look a lot like hamsters. They have a similar body shape and size, and their fur is also similar in appearance. However, upon closer inspection, there are some key differences between these two animals.

For starters, Mongolian gerbils have longer tails than hamsters. They also have longer hind legs, which give them a more hopping than running gait. Additionally, their ears are much larger relative to their head size than those of hamsters.

19. Pallid Gerbils

If you’ve ever seen a pallid gerbil, you might have mistaken it for a hamster. These animals are similar in size and shape to hamsters, but they have longer tails and ears. Pallid gerbils are also more active than hamsters and enjoy digging and burrowing.

However, there are some key differences between these two animals. For one, pallid gerbils are not nocturnal like hamsters. They are also more social creatures and prefer to live in pairs or small groups.

20. Palm Rat

The Palm Rat is a small rodent that is found in Africa. It has a body that is similar in shape to a hamster, as well as large eyes and furry ears. The main difference between the two animals is that the Palm Rat has a long tail, while hamsters do not have tails.

21. Pygmy Hedgehogs

Pygmy hedgehogs look like miniature versions of the common hedgehog. They have a similar body shape and spikes covering their back. However, upon closer inspection, it is easy to see that they are not actually related to hedgehogs.

Pygmy hedgehogs are native to Africa and measure about 6-8 inches in length. They are nocturnal animals that live in burrows and eat insects, reptiles, small mammals, and fruit.

While they may look like hamsters, pygmy hedgehogs are not suitable as pets. This is because they are very shy animals that do not do well in captivity.

Related Article: 28 Animals Like Hedgehogs

22. Rex Guinea Pig

The Rex Guinea Pig is a type of guinea pig that has short, dense fur. This coat can come in a variety of colors, but the most common is black and white. The Rex Guinea Pig has a round body shape and small, erect ears.

While they may look like hamsters, Rex Guinea Pigs are actually much larger. They can weigh up to three pounds and reach lengths of up to 12 inches. Rex Guinea Pigs are also social animals that enjoy the company of other guinea pigs and should not be kept alone.

23. Shaw’s Jirds

The Shaw’s jird is a small rodent that is found in the deserts of North Africa. These animals have a body shape that is similar to that of a hamster, and they also have furry tails. Shaw’s jirds are omnivorous, which means that they eat both plants and animals.

24. Sugar Gliders

Sugar gliders look like they could be related to hamsters. They have a similar body shape and size, and their fur is also similar in color and texture. However, upon closer inspection, it’s easy to see that these two animals are not the same.

For starters, sugar gliders are native to Australia and Indonesia, whereas hamsters are found in Europe and Asia. Sugar gliders also have a furry tail, whereas hamsters do not. Additionally, sugar gliders are able to glide through the air, thanks to the skin flap between their legs, which allows them to catch updrafts and glide long distances.

25. Swamp Rat

The swamp rat is a rodent that is found in wetland areas of Africa. It has a similar body shape to a hamster, but it is much larger, typically weighing in at around 1 kg.

The swamp rat is an omnivorous creature, meaning that it will eat both plants and animals. While its diet consists mostly of insects, it has been known to eat small mammals, reptiles, and even fish.

Conclusion

While there are some physical similarities between hamsters and other animals, there are key differences that set them apart. These differences can be seen in everything from size to fur type to social behavior.

Garreth

Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.