Yes, hamsters do have a tail. They usually have a short and stubby tail, mostly covered with their fur. And most hamster tail is not more than an inch long.
Usually, a hamster’s tail is six times shorter than its body length, and most hamsters have only 1-inch long tail.
However, not all hamsters have short and stubby tails, and it depends on their breed.
For example, Syrian hamsters have a short and stubby tail, while Chinese hamsters have a long tail almost as their body length.
So, hamsters defiantly have tails. Read more to know more fascinating things about their tails.
Do Hamsters Have Tails?
Yes, hamsters do have a tail. They are very small and stubby; that’s why they often get unnoticed by many owners.
Hamsters don’t actively use their tail like most mammals, so they evolved by having a short trail, but it’s still there.
However, some breeds of hamsters, like Chinese hamsters, have much longer tails compared to dwarf or Syrian hamsters.
The most suitable and common pet hamster breed is Syrian, and they have a very short and stubby tail.
Why Do Hamster’s Tail Is So Short?
Hamsters have a short and stumpy tail, and there are reasons for it.
Usually, hamsters don’t climb up on trees like other rodents such as squirrels, mice, rats, and gerbils. Long-tail provides them balance and stability while climbing trees.
But hamsters mostly live underground in burrows. They don’t depend on trees to get their food; instead, they dig underground tunnels like a burrow and find grains, seeds, and insects.
So, they don’t need a long tail to help them grip or create a balance on anything while climbing. Besides, a long tail could create problems in burrows.
Therefore, a hamster’s tail is evolved this way.
What Are Hamster Tails For?
While most animals use their tail for balance and stability, a hamster’s short tail couldn’t provide any of them.
So, why do hamsters have such a small tails? What is the purpose of it?
While there is no accurate answer to why they have them, there are a couple of theories on what their tail might be useful for.
According to the first theory, a hamster’s tail provide them balance and stability to walk and dig tunnels in the nighttime. They use their tiny paws to dig the earth and scoop up the dirt.
Thus, a tiny tail is actually preferable in this condition as they won’t make much trouble and get in the way of their work.
Another theory is that hamster uses their tail to communicate with other female hamsters. A female hamster raises their tail and signals to the male hamster that they are interested in mating.
Lastly, a hamster’s stubby tail is helpful to protect their private area (anus), which is very sensitive which may get rubbed and injured while digging a burrow. Honestly, this theory somehow makes more sense than other theories.
While hamsters’ tail has no genuine purpose except their tails helps them balance and protect their sensitive area.
Whatsoever the natural use of a hamster’s tail is, their stubby nub certainly, makes them way cuter and adorable.
Does Hamster’s Tail Grow?
Well, it depends.
The length of the tail of your hamster depends on its breed. Usually, hamsters have short tails, but some hamster spices have much longer tails.
For example, Chinese hamsters have long tails, and they keep growing with their age, and it could grow up to one inch (2.5 centimeters).
On the other hand, Syrian hamsters have short tails since their birth and hardly grow even older.
Can Hamster Grow Their Tail Back If It Gets Cut Off?
No, they can’t.
Hamsters are rodents and not lizards; they do not have the ability to grow back their tail if they lose it accidentally.
A hamster’s tail is made up of bones and issues which they can’t regenerate once it gets cut.
Only a handful of breed of lizards like green anole lizards, geckoes, and iguanas has the ability to grow their tailback.
However, hamster’s life won’t get much affected, and they just do fine without their tails.
So, if your little buddy has lost their tail, don’t worry they can lead a normal life even without it.
Hamsters Tail Length By Their Breed
So, by now, we know that hamsters have a short and stumpy tails. Most hamsters’ tail is not even an inch long, but still, it’s there.
However, not all breeds of hamsters have the same length of tail; there are some breeds like the Chinese hamster that have a long tail.
Here are some famous hamster’s breed and their length:
Syrian Hamsters
Syrian is the most common and the largest hamster breed of pet hamsters, and their length could go up to 18 centimeters.
They are adorable, and cute teddy bears look like.
Despite their big size, the Syrian hamster’s tail is very short, like half an inch, and often gets unnoticed as they are covered with their fluffy fur.
Russian Dwarf Hamsters
These are small and ball-shaped species of hamsters. They go up to 4 inches in length, typically half the size of the Syrian hamster,
Their tail is generally short compared to other breeds of hamsters, and they are covered with fur. However, you can still easily spot their stubby tail.
Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters
Roborovskis are typically found in deserted regions, and they are one of the smallest species of hamsters. They dig burrows and live in deep tunnels near six feet underground.
Roborovski hamsters usually go up to 2 inches long, and their tail is proportionally short, about 1/8 of an inch.
They are extremely fast and usually active during dawn time, and that’s why their tail often goes unnoticed.
Winter White Hamsters
This white color dwarf breed of hamster is quite rare, and they usually go up to 4 inches, and their tail doesn’t go more than a quarter of an inch.
Winter white hamsters have shorter fur, so it may be easier for you to spot their tiny stubby tail.
Chinese Hamsters
While most hamsters have stubby tails, this breed is relatively different from others. Chinese hamsters are primarily nocturnal, but they can awake between their naps throughout the day.
Chinese can grow up to 5 inches in body length, and their tail can grow up to 1.2 inches. They have the longest tail comparison to other hamsters.
This is why Chinese hamsters are often mistaken for mice or gerbils due to their long tails.
What Is Wet Tail In Hamsters?
A wet tail is a short term of watery diarrhea in hamsters, and it’s a kind of infection caused by intestinal bacteria.
Unfortunately, it’s a fatal and high mortality rate disease even when caught in the early days.
Common symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, and stinky odor.
So, if you notice your hamster’s tail looks wet, you should immediately take them to a hamster specialist vet for early diagnosis and treatment.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, hamsters have a short tail except for some breeds. While they don’t use them for balance, it’s still an important body part for them.
It protects their backside, assists them with burrowing, and helps them communicate with other female hamsters.
For more information about hamsters, you can check out our blog post on hamsters; you will gain a log of information.
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