What are rats and hamsters called? - briefly
Rats and hamsters are both members of the order Rodentia, commonly referred to as rodents. Rats belong to the genus Rattus, whereas hamsters are classified in the subfamily Cricetinae.
What are rats and hamsters called? - in detail
Rats belong to the order Rodentia, family Muridae, and are classified in the genus Rattus. Common species include the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the black rat (Rattus rattus). Their scientific name reflects their placement among the true rats, a group of medium‑sized murine rodents.
Hamsters are also members of the order Rodentia but reside in the family Cricetidae, subfamily Cricetinae. The most familiar pet species, the Syrian hamster, carries the scientific name Mesocricetus auratus. Other species, such as the dwarf hamster, fall under genera Phodopus and Cricetulus.
Both animals share the following taxonomic hierarchy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
Key distinctions at the family level separate rats (Muridae) from hamsters (Cricetidae). Their common names—rat and hamster—derive from long‑standing vernacular usage, while scientific nomenclature provides precise classification.