The Nature Conservation Association declared the cute farmland resident the winner. In the first public elections of this year for Animal of the Year, the field hamster emerged as the winner. It is the only hamster found in our latitudes and one of the most endangered species in Austria.
Land sealing, loss of natural space, and the modernization and intensification of agriculture are continually impacting the nocturnal rodent – making it all the more important to re-stabilize its population and protect its habitat.
The field hamster is the animal of the year 2024
In the voting, which took place publicly online for the first time this year, it clearly won against its competitors, the Alpine ibex and the otter.
loner
European hamsters live largely alone – apart from the mating season – they are mainly active at dusk and at night and hibernate for about six months.
No pet
As cute as it looks with its well-developed cheek pouches, stocky body and strikingly colorful coat, it has little in common with the pet golden hamster. The body length of the field hamster is 20 to 27 cm, the tail length is five to seven cm and it can weigh 200 to 500 grams.
Endangered species
How can the field hamster be helped? In order to stabilize the hamster population again, it is therefore important to maintain and create distribution corridors, arable land, unpaved field paths and fallow areas.
Sustainable agriculture helps
Deep plowing should be limited in hoarder areas to protect their burrows. Field edges or fallow strips should be sown with grain that can be left standing. On some plots, some strips could not be harvested to ensure sufficient food. Existing, perennial fallow land must be preserved.
Everyone can contribute
If you see a field hamster, you can share this sighting on the Nature Conservation Association platform or the app of the same name. This type of documentation provides important information about the current status of the population and makes an important contribution to species protection.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
