Dave Gyorkor, age 12, of Peoria, I11., for his question:

ARE HAMSTERS BRED FROM RATS AND MICE?

The cute little hamster looks as if he might be related to the rats and mice. And so he is. But he was not bred from these or from any other members of the ratty rodent clan. Actually, he is a species in his own right, which means that hamsters have been hamsters for millions of years. It is possible to crossbreed horses and donkeys—and get mules. But the hamster is not a crossbreed of this sort. His ancestors were old World hamsters, where many of his cousins still live freely in the wild. In their original homes, the pretty little critters are rated as downright pests because they do so much damage to the crops.

In parts of Europe and Asia about 14 wild hamster species live in burrows and concentrate on their food supplies. They do most of their grocery shopping at night, taking care to dodge owls and other dusky prowlers. When grains and seeds are plentiful, they stuff the surplus into their big bulging cheeks

Often they dig for potatoes and other root crops. All the surplus is toted below and stashed in a storage chamber. Come fall, the pantry of a hard working.hamster may be stuffed with 100 pounds of winter supplies. His well built, wellrun burrow has a cozy bedroom and a sanitary toilet, which is sealed up when full.

The largest wild hamster resembles a fluffy guinea pig with a brown back and jet black tummy. The family midget is 2 inches long, plus a stubby tail. The first to be adopted as pets were the silky gray hamsters. Then, in 1930, an unusual hamster and her 12 babies were found in Syria. This little family became the ancestors of all our pet golden hamsters.

Hamsters, as we all know, are very attractive pets. However, let's not forget that wild hamsters steal and hoard our food supplies. Hence, hamster owners should prevent their fluffy pets from escaping and never turn them loose in the wilds.