I. Origin of the Hamster. - 1 History of the Capture and Domestication of the Syrian Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus Waterhouse). - II. Reproductive Endocrinology. - 2 The Estrous Cycle. - 3 Endocrinology of the Pregnant Hamster. - 4 Male Hamster Reproductive Endocrinology. - 5 PinealReproductive Interactions. - III. Social Behaviors. - 6 Communication. - 7 Sexual Differentiation and Development. - 8 Female Sexual Behavior. - 9 Male Sexual Behavior. - 10 Parental Behavior. - 11 Neural Basis of Reproductive Behavior. - 12 Aggressive Behavior. - IV. Development and Individual Function. - 13 Behavioral Development in the Syrian Golden Hamster. - 14 Biological Rhythms. - 15 Regulation of Energy Balance in the Golden Hamster. - 16 Visual and Somatosensory Processes. - Appendix: Characteristics of Mesocricetus auratus. Language: English