What is the life span of a hamster?

The Syrian hamster has an average life span of two to three years. Although uncommon, these hamsters can sometimes live up to five years. A hamster's life span can be extended to a degree by providing it with a clean environment and fresh food daily.

The Syrian hamster, more commonly known as a teddy bear or golden hamster, is sold in pet stores across the United States. The teddy bear hamster is one of the larger breeds but is known to be docile. Baby Syrian hamsters are generally weaned from their mothers at 3 weeks old and reach adult maturity at around 4 months of age.