The first generation of Romanian hamsters for 2026 has been born

Scientists from the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research at Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IBER-BAS) have launched the 2026 breeding program. On May 13, 2026, the first 7 hamsters were born.

The male hamster plays no part in raising the pups. Naked and blind, the baby hamsters are entirely dependent on their mother and her milk. Following the birth, scientists have diversified the mother's diet with high protein and an increased amount of vegetables.

The Romanian hamster (Mesocricetus newtoni) is an extremely rare mammal species found within a limited territory in Bulgaria and Romania.

Project research so far indicates that only a single population likely remains, located in Central Northern Bulgaria. The goal of the scientists is to breed this rare species and release it into the wild, thereby supporting the recovery of the species.

Photos: Yordan Koshev, Maria Kachamakova (IBER-BAS).