[3] This hamster occurs on the northern slopes of the Caucasus and Ciscaucasia, between Dagestan, the Don River and the Sea of Azov.

It favours pasture and cultivated land and also occurs in belts of trees and rough grass between fields but not in dense woodland.

It is mainly nocturnal, emerging at dusk to feed on grasses and herbs in spring and early summer, and on seeds, crops and roots in the autumn.

Large stores of food (up to 16 kg (35 lb)) are laid up in the autumn before hibernation which lasts for four to six months depending on the temperature and altitude.

This fecundity means that the species can recover quickly after harsh winters and the population size is subject to considerable fluctuations.