The gene expression of the cytokine/chemokine profiles in the lungs of infected hamsters showed a time-dependent trend. IFN-γ and pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-12p40, were induced at 2 dpi and reached peak levels at 4 dpi ( Chan et al., 2020). The lymphoid necrosis observed in hamster’s spleen might be associated with its innate immune pattern with high levels of cytokines, similar to the cytokine storm in human severe infection ( Chan et al., 2020).

Venezuelan equine encephalitis replicon particles (VEEV-VRP) also can be used as an exogenous system for delivering hACE2 ( Zhang Y.N. et al., 2020). After SARS-CoV-2 infection, this VEEV-VRP-hACE2 model developed interstitial pneumonia without obvious clinical symptoms, and the virus replication was limited to the lung ( Table 2). A human neutralizing antibody CB6 showed strong protective effects against the virus in this model ( Zhang Y.N. et al., 2020).Thomas A. Scott (1995). Concise encyclopedia biology (Rev.ed.). Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. p. 299. ISBN 978-3110106619. A hamster show is an event in which people gather hamsters to judge them against each other. [28] Hamster shows are also places where people share their enthusiasm for hamsters among attendees. Hamster shows feature an exhibition of the hamsters participating in the judging. [28] Although the Syrian hamster or golden hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus) was first described scientifically by George Robert Waterhouse in 1839, researchers were not able to successfully breed and domesticate hamsters until 1939. [3] The entire laboratory and pet populations of Syrian hamsters appear to be descendants of a single brother–sister pairing. These littermates were captured and imported in 1930 from Aleppo in Syria by Israel Aharoni, a zoologist of the University of Jerusalem. [7] In Jerusalem, the hamsters bred very successfully. Years later, animals of this original breeding colony were exported to the United States, where Syrian hamsters became a common pet and laboratory animal. Comparative studies of domestic and wild Syrian hamsters have shown reduced genetic variability in the domestic strain. However, the differences in behavioral, chronobiological, morphometrical, hematological, and biochemical parameters are relatively small and fall into the expected range of interstrain variations in other laboratory animals. [8] Etymology Species C. barabensis, including " C. pseudogriseus" and " C. obscurus"—Chinese striped hamster, also called Chinese hamster; striped dwarf hamster

These hamsters are mini compared to their large Syrian cousins – they won’t ever grow more than four inches long. There are key differences separating hamsters from mice. Hamster species can be much larger than the average mouse. Many hamsters are found in a variety of colors, while common mice tend to be brown or gray. However, mice are also found in a number of colors and patterns just like hamsters, so this should not be the sole method of identification.

Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters

It would be interesting to incorporate into these models known risk factors for severe COVID-19, such as metabolic syndrome, respiratory disease, hypertension, and old age, which might produce valid models of COVID-19 with comorbidities ( Williamson et al., 2020). For example, the detrimental impact of a continuous Western diet on COVID-19 outcome has been proved in Syrian hamster ( Port et al., 2021). Roborovski Dwarf Hamster ( Phodopus roborovskii) In summary, among the several animal models, three types of hamsters, ferret, mink, AGMs, rhesus, and cynomolgus macaque are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, while marmoset, tree shrew, and wild-type mouse are relatively less susceptible. Another major point of contrast between these two rodents is their behavior and social needs. This is arguably the most important factor when deciding which pet is a better fit. Hamsters After all, they are all hamsters. As such, their beguiling cuteness transcends any breed differences!