倉鼠科（Cricetidae）,源自捷克語 křeček (「倉鼠」),意指這些動物與倉鼠有關.

Cricetidae, from Czech křeček (“hamster”), in reference to the fact that these animals are hamster-related.

種的俗名 Common names of members

倉鼠,田鼠,旅鼠,麝鼠, 新世界鼠（棉鼠亞科）.

Hamsters, voles, lemmings, muskrats, and New World rats and mice.

分佈 Distribution 

美洲、歐洲和亞洲.

The Americas, Europe and Asia.

體型 Size

不同品種的長度和重量各異,從 7 克、5-8 公分到 41-62 公分、1.1 公斤不等.

 They vary in length and weight between species, weighing between 7 g and 5–8 cm to 41–62 cm and 1.1 kg. 

形態描述 Morphology

牠們的尾巴可能是毛茸茸的,也可能是毛髮稀疏的,而且尾巴的長度與身體有很大的差異.大部分品種的毛色為褐色,底部通常為白色,但也有許多不同的圖案.牠們都有又大又鋒利的門牙,和臼齒有一定的間距,用以磨合咀嚼.

Their tails can be furry or sparsely hairy, and their lengths differ significantly from their bodies. The majority of species have brownish-colored fur, frequently with a white underside, though there are numerous diverse patterns. They all have big, sharp incisor teeth that are spaced apart, or diastema, from their molar teeth, which grind together.

生態與棲息地 Habitat & Ecology

這些動物可以生存在各種不同的環境中,包括炎熱的沙漠、茂密的熱帶雨林,乃至高寒的北極地區.有些是半水生動物,具有蹼狀腳和小的外耳,而另一些則是樹棲動物,擁有長而有助平衡的尾巴以及其他適應攀爬的特徵.不過,也有一些是地棲性的穴居動物.

A vast variety of environments, including hot deserts, lush rainforests, and the high Arctic. Some are semiaquatic, with webbed feet and small external ears, while others are arboreal, with long balancing tails and other climbing adaptations. Others, however, are ground-dwelling animals that burrow.

食性 Diet

有草食性、雜食性和昆蟲食性的物種,牠們的飲食也各不相同. 

With species that are herbivorous, omnivorous, and insectivorous, their diets vary. 

繁殖 Reproduction 

由於與許多其他哺乳類動物相比,牠們的產仔數非常多,而且妊娠期很短（15-50 天）,因此牠們的族群在糧食充足時會迅速增長.一般而言,幼崽在出生時是無助、無毛、沒有視覺的.

Because of their enormous litter numbers compared to many other mammals and their short gestation periods (15–50 days), their populations can grow quickly during times of plenty. Typically, the young are helpless, hairless, and blind from birth.

已知的物種

Total species known

792

博物館收藏的物種

Species in the collection

2

在香港已知的物種

Species in Hong Kong

0

Reference

Macdonald, D. W. (2006). The Encyclopedia of mammals. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780199206087.001.0001.

Savage, R. J. G., Long, M. R. (1986). Mammal Evolution: an illustrated guide. Facts on File.

Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (2005). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press.