This study investigates the pathogenesis and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in golden hamsters. SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus closely related to SARS-CoV, has spread globally, causing significant impact on healthcare systems and economies. Golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were found to be a suitable animal model for studying SARS-CoV-2 infection. The virus was detected in nasal mucosa, bronchial epithelial cells, and areas of lung consolidation 2-5 days post-inoculation, followed by rapid viral clearance and pneumocyte hyperplasia by day 7. Viral antigens were also detected in duodenal epithelial cells and in faeces. SARS-CoV-2 was efficiently transmitted from inoculated hamsters to naive hamsters via direct contact and aerosols, but less so via fomites. The communicable period was short and correlated with the presence of infectious virus rather than viral RNA. Inoculated and naturally infected hamsters showed weight loss on days 6-7 post-inoculation or post-contact, but all returned to their original weight within 14 days and developed neutralizing antibodies. The results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection in golden hamsters resembles mild human infections. SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It spread rapidly due to factors such as sustained human-to-human transmission and extensive travel during the Chinese New Year. The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 is wide, with 19% of patients progressing to severe illness. There is no approved vaccine or treatment for SARS-CoV-2, and interventions like lockdowns have disrupted global supply chains and economies. Golden hamsters are a widely used animal model for studying viral infections. Previous studies on SARS-CoV showed that the viral spike protein interacts with the host ACE2 receptor, and that age and immune status influence pathogenesis. SARS-CoV-2 also uses ACE2 as its entry receptor, and while it binds well to human ACE2, it binds poorly to mouse ACE2, limiting the use of inbred mice. Macaques and transgenic ICR mice expressing human ACE2 are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, but these models are limited in availability. Cynomolgus and rhesus macaques infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed pneumonia with varying clinical signs, while transgenic mice showed pneumonia and weight loss but no histological changes in non-respiratory tissues. The study found that golden hamsters support SARS-CoV-2 replication, with peak viral titres in the lungs at 2 dpi followed by rapid clearance by 7 dpi. The hamsters showed no weight loss or disease signs. A follow-up study found differences in virulence between SARS-CoV strains. Golden hamsters are permissive for infection by otherThis study investigates the pathogenesis and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in golden hamsters. SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus closely related to SARS-CoV, has spread globally, causing significant impact on healthcare systems and economies. Golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were found to be a suitable animal model for studying SARS-CoV-2 infection. The virus was detected in nasal mucosa, bronchial epithelial cells, and areas of lung consolidation 2-5 days post-inoculation, followed by rapid viral clearance and pneumocyte hyperplasia by day 7. Viral antigens were also detected in duodenal epithelial cells and in faeces. SARS-CoV-2 was efficiently transmitted from inoculated hamsters to naive hamsters via direct contact and aerosols, but less so via fomites. The communicable period was short and correlated with the presence of infectious virus rather than viral RNA. Inoculated and naturally infected hamsters showed weight loss on days 6-7 post-inoculation or post-contact, but all returned to their original weight within 14 days and developed neutralizing antibodies. The results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection in golden hamsters resembles mild human infections. SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It spread rapidly due to factors such as sustained human-to-human transmission and extensive travel during the Chinese New Year. The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 is wide, with 19% of patients progressing to severe illness. There is no approved vaccine or treatment for SARS-CoV-2, and interventions like lockdowns have disrupted global supply chains and economies. Golden hamsters are a widely used animal model for studying viral infections. Previous studies on SARS-CoV showed that the viral spike protein interacts with the host ACE2 receptor, and that age and immune status influence pathogenesis. SARS-CoV-2 also uses ACE2 as its entry receptor, and while it binds well to human ACE2, it binds poorly to mouse ACE2, limiting the use of inbred mice. Macaques and transgenic ICR mice expressing human ACE2 are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, but these models are limited in availability. Cynomolgus and rhesus macaques infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed pneumonia with varying clinical signs, while transgenic mice showed pneumonia and weight loss but no histological changes in non-respiratory tissues. The study found that golden hamsters support SARS-CoV-2 replication, with peak viral titres in the lungs at 2 dpi followed by rapid clearance by 7 dpi. The hamsters showed no weight loss or disease signs. A follow-up study found differences in virulence between SARS-CoV strains. Golden hamsters are permissive for infection by other