... All photography is our own unless stated! ...
When you think of great wildlife destinations across Europe, the urban city of Vienna is probably not what comes to mind. However, this incredible city, better known for its beautiful architecture and cultural history, is also home to some really interesting urban wildlife!
Vienna is home to a thriving population of critically endangered wild European hamsters, as well as a whole host of other urban wildlife including wild beavers, adorable red squirrels and charismatic European ground squirrels (also known as souslik)!
The wild hamsters in Vienna have found a way to coexist with the hustle and bustle of urban life, making Vienna one of only a few cities in the world where you can observe wild hamsters in their natural habitat. In this guide, we’ll explore the best spots to find them (which might surprise you!), how to get there, as well as some tips for observing and photographing them.
(All photos are our own taken during our trip to Vienna!)
Table of Contents
The European Hamster
European hamsters are a larger, more robust rodent than the domesticated hamsters that you may be used to. They actually grow to 3x the size of your classic pet Syrian hamsters, so you will probably be surprised by these almost guinea pig sized critters when you see them for the first time!
Typically found in the farmlands and steppes of Central and Eastern Europe, they have adapted remarkably well to urban environments like Vienna. These hamsters are active during the summer and actually spend their time hibernating underground during the winter months, so you’ll have to plan your visit accordingly!
Where to See Wild Hamsters in Vienna
The best and most reliable spots to see Vienna’s urban wild hamsters may come as a surprise to you, but they are in fact in some of Vienna’s extremely tranquil and wildlife-friendly cemeteries. In fact, it is these large and biodiverse areas of grassland, an abundance of flowers and a unique sense of serenity away from the chaos of the city streets, that provide the perfect habitat for Vienna’s wild hamsters to thrive.
Meidling Cemetery (Friedhof Wien Meidling)
Meidling Cemetery is probably the best and most reliable place to see Vienna’s hamsters, particularly in the eastern section of the cemetery.
Don’t forget to grab yourself a Vienna City Card which allows you to travel all across the city using the metro, tram, bus or train services!
Tips for Seeing Hamsters in Vienna
- Time of Year: European hamsters are animals that spend the winter months in hibernation. So you will only be able to see them in the warmer month from around April to September. Between October and March they will be tucked away in their burrows hibernating, so plan your visit accordingly!
- Time of Day: Hamsters are largely crepuscular and nocturnal creatures, so they are more active around dawn or dusk and during the night. So we recommend you arrive a few hours before sunset. But we did also see them pretty easily during the day.
- Be Quiet and Patient: Vienna’s hamsters are naturally pretty shy and skittish animals, but as they are in a relatively urban environment, they are quite used to humans. So as long as you respect their shy nature and sit quietly, they will be happy to go about their business and come pretty close to you.
- Respect Their Space: Never try to touch wild hamsters. Observing from a distance ensures their safety and comfort. Also, be mindful not to disturb their burrows or the surrounding vegetation.
- Respect the Cemetery: If you are visiting the cemetery, be respectful of where you are. Although you often see other local people and wildlife photographers here, you should remember that you are in a cemetery and need to be respectful of that.
Tips for Photographing Vienna’s Hamsters
- Use a Camera with Zoom: For photography enthusiasts, a camera with a good zoom lens is ideal. This allows you to capture those close-up shots without disturbing the animals.
- Be as Low to the Ground as Possible: This rule applies for the majority of wildlife photography, but especially when photographing smaller critters like the European Hamster. Getting as low down and ‘eye-level’ as possible to your subject is one of the most important parts of capturing their world. It will naturally add more background blur to your image and more focus to your subject, whilst giving you a better feel and connection to the animal, helping transport the observer into the hamster’s world. This is why you often find wildlife photographers lying on the floor with their camera looking slightly crazy!
Why Vienna’s Hamsters Matter
Vienna’s wild hamsters are not just a quirky urban wildlife sighting—they are an important part of the city’s biodiversity. However, the European hamster is currently listed as critically endangered in some parts of its range due to habitat loss and agricultural practices. The presence of these hamsters in Vienna highlights the importance of urban spaces in conserving wildlife and offers a unique opportunity for both locals and tourists to connect with nature in an unexpected way.
Other Wildlife in Vienna
Final Thoughts
Spotting wild hamsters in Vienna is a truly unique experience that combines the thrill of wildlife observation with the ease and charm of an urban setting. Whether you’re a local looking for a new adventure or a visitor eager to see a different side of Vienna, this is a wildlife encounter you won’t forget. So next time you’re in Vienna, make sure you take a break from the museums and palaces, and head to the parks and green spaces where these adorable little residents might just be waiting to say hello.
To find out more about some of the world’s most incredible wildlife destinations and how to see them for yourselves, please check out some of our other articles. Whether you are interested in visiting Australia, Indonesia, India or Sri Lanka, we hope we can inspire you to start planning your own wildlife journeys!
