hamster

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ham·ster / ˈhamstər/ • n. a solitary burrowing rodent (subfamily Cricetinae, family Muridae) with a short tail and large cheek pouches for carrying food, native to Europe and northern Asia. Its several species include the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), often kept as a pet or laboratory animal, and the common hamster (Cricetus cricetus).

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