Mouse-like hamsters, also called brush-tailed mice or calomyscids, are a group of small rodents belonging to the genus Calomyscus found in Syria, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. They are found in rocky outcrops and semi-mountainous areas in desert regions. The generic name Calomyscus derives from the Greek word kalos, meaning 'beautiful'; the full name translates to "beautiful mouse".