Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which hamster species is most commonly used in laboratory research?

1. Djungarian hamster

2. Golden hamster

3. Chinese hamster

4. Armenian hamster

The correct answer is: Golden hamster

The golden hamster is the species most commonly used in laboratory research due to its ease of breeding, docile nature, and well-documented genetics and physiology. This species has become a standard model organism, particularly in areas such as genetics, pharmacology, and behavior studies. The golden hamster is also small, making it suitable for various experimental settings, and it reproduces quickly, which is advantageous for studies requiring multiple generations. Other species, while valuable in specific research contexts, do not have the same level of widespread application or established protocols as the golden hamster. For instance, the Djungarian hamster and Chinese hamster are often utilized in particular types of research, but they are not as universally adopted or recognized as the golden hamster in laboratory settings. The Armenian hamster is less common in research compared to the others. Thus, the dominance of the golden hamster in laboratory research is due to its practical advantages and historical significance in scientific studies.