Hamsters are small animals, they are very fast and active, and they have good muscles, especially on their back legs. Looking at my hamster I asked myself how many bones my pet has in his body.
Hamsters have about 230 bones together with the bones of the spine which has 30 vertebrae and the bones in the tail which are also about 30 bones.
Although hamsters are small they have bones similar to humans who have 206 bones in their body.
In today’s article, you will learn something more about the number of their bones, the skeleton, and similar questions on this topic.
How many bones does my hamster have?
Hamsters have a skeleton with 124 bones, and this number includes the bones of the spine, which are around 30, and the bones in their tail, which are also around 30, just like the spine.
Regardless of whether it is a male or female hamster, the number of bones remains the same but differs depending on the breed and size of the hamster.
Of all the bones in their body, most bones are found in the area of the legs and feet. For example, hamsters have four bones on their back legs, while their front legs have five bones each.
Or all together in the skeleton of hamsters, there about 40 bones that are found in their legs and feet. The other bones are located in the rest of their body, or rather in the spine, pelvis, and ribs.
There are a certain number of bones in the skull of hamsters, and of course, bones are also found on their face, that is, on their jaw.
The weight of bones in hamsters is about 10% of their total body weight.
Hamster Skeletal Anatomy
The good skeletal anatomy of hamsters makes them very durable even though at first glance they look like small and gentle animals.
The anatomy of the skeleton allows them to squeeze into tight spaces more easily because they have the reverse arrangement of the shoulder joints.
Their front legs are attached to their spine but on the opposite side of their back legs. Hamsters have a lot of bones for their size, much more than other animals of their size.
This is a huge advantage for them when they have to climb on vertical surfaces, in fact, the flexibility of the spine makes it possible.
The skeleton or the bones of hamsters are dense in their structure, which reduces the chances of osteoporosis even when they get old.
That’s why hamsters have one of the best skeletons according to anatomy, with which they can adapt more easily in space, especially in narrow holes and tunnels.
What are the functions of the hamster skeleton?
Hamsters benefit greatly from their complex skeleton which allows them to improve their health and safety in the world around them.
Here are some benefits of their skeleton worth knowing:
- The skeleton allows hamsters to move faster and escape predators more easily.
- Better balance of the body itself, because the pelvic bones help the back legs.
- Protection of internal organs from injury, for example, the ribs protect the heart and lungs, while the skull protects the head and brain from injury.
- Better functioning of muscles due to which hamsters are very fast and precise in their movements.
The skeleton allows them to survive in the wild and protect themselves from all the dangers they are exposed to, climb heights more easily, and enter tunnels and holes more easily.
What is the representation of bones in hamsters?
Hamsters are small animals, but they have many bones and complex skeletons.
The complexity of their skeleton helps them to be very fast and mobile, which helps them in their life since they are mostly prey animals.
The arrangement of the bones of hamsters:
- spine 26 bones
- skull 14 bones
- ribs 18-22 bones
- about 40 bones on each leg
- about 20 bones on each arm
It must be emphasized that hamsters have the highest concentration of bones in their legs. They have more bones in their front legs than in their hind legs.
Hamsters use their front legs more for digging, while their back legs have the main function of moving their small body.
The tail of hamsters also has many bones or about 30 bones and it helps them to maintain their balance better when running and moving.
The tail plays a key role when hamsters escape from predators as it gives them an advantage over other animals when they need to save their lives.
What is the difference between the skeleton of hamsters and the skeleton of other animals?
The skeleton of hamsters is similar to that of other animals, although there are certain differences that give them an advantage in everyday life.
The spine of hamsters is shorter than the spine of other animals which is an advantage because it is more compact, this allows them to be flexible and easier to dig underground tunnels.
The skull of hamsters is wider than the skull of other animals and it helps them with flexibility and the ability to hear sounds from all sides, which helps them to hear more quickly when they are in danger from predators.
Hamsters’ legs are perhaps the most powerful part of their body, especially the hind legs, which allows them to run faster.
Read more: Can A Hamster Break Its Back? Let’s Find Out
Related questions
How Strong Are a Hamster’s Bones?
Hamster bones have a dense structure, but since they are small animals and small bones, they are still fragile.
You should not hold your pet very tightly as you may break its bones.
When hamsters fall from a height, they easily break their bones, especially if they fall from a height higher than 25 cm.
What is the skeletal system of hamsters made of?
The skeletal system in hamsters consists of bones, cartilage, and ligaments.
Hamster bones are light and delicate, although they have a good and dense structure.
The skeletal system of hamsters has excellent flexibility, which is its greatest advantage and significance for the life of these small animals.
How do you know if a hamster has broken a bone?
Hamsters are very adept at hiding an illness or when they have broken a bone in their body.
They do this because they think that predators will use their moment of weakness to attack them, so if you watch their behavior and body signs, you will be able to tell if there is a broken bone.
When hamsters have a broken bone they are lethargic, refuse to run on the exercise wheel, have trouble walking, and you can hear cracking or crunching of the bones.
Read more: Can Hamsters Break Their Tails? Let’s Discover
Conclusion
Hamsters have a total of about 230 bones in their body.
The skeleton of hamsters is perfectly adapted to be able to move efficiently and to have excellent speed and balance in movement.
Hamsters have a dense bone structure and rarely suffer from osteoporosis.
The bones of hamsters are arranged in such a way that they can more easily enter narrow spaces and dig tunnels, which is important for their survival especially when living in the wild.
A good skeletal system allows them to be active and healthy throughout their life.
Read more: Can A Hamster Survive A Broken Leg? Let’s Discover
