Hamsters are rodents belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae. The subfamily contains about 24 species, classified in six or seven genera. The name hamster's derived from the German verb hamstern, which means "to hoard" because hamsters have expandable cheek pouches lined with fur to store their food. or of Iranian origin (cf. Av hamaēstar "oppressor"). Although the Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was first described scientifically in 1839, it wasn't until 1930 that researchers were ab… (More on Hamsters)