Objective To explore the basic metabolic characteristics and expression of related genes in theskeletal muscle and liver of Chinese hamsters with spontaneous type 2 diabetes, including glucose and lipid metabolism,body composition, diurnal movement, metabolism, and the expression of relevant genes. Methods We regarded theChinese hamster with fasting blood glucose (FBG) higher than 6. 0 mmol/ L and post-prandial blood glucose (PBG) higherthan 7. 0 mmol/ L as diabetic based on the mean and 95% frequency distribution values of FBG and PBG. 12 hamsters atthe age of 48 weeks in diabetic and control groups, each group was half male and female. Animal weight, blood glucose,blood lipid, serum insulin content, and glucose tolerance were measured. Animal body composition, diurnal movement,and metabolic characteristics were analyzed by InAlyzer Dual Energy X-ray Animal Body Composition Analysis System,High-throughput Behavior Analysis System, and Open Circuit Calorimetric Metabolic System, respectively. The expressionof diabetes-related genes Glut4 and Pparg in skeletal muscle and liver were measured by Real-time PCR and Westernblotting. Results In the diabetic group, blood glucose and lipid, serum insulin, food intake, daytime activity, and heatconsumption were significantly increased, while the percentage of body fat was significantly decreased.Compared with thecontrol group, the mRNA and protein expressions of PPARG in the liver and skeletal muscle were significantly increased,and the mRNA and protein expressions of GLUT4 in skeletal muscle were significantly decreased in diabetic hamsters.Conclusions This type 2 diabetic Chinese hamster model exhibits non-obese, abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism, andinsulin resistance. The down-regulation of GLUT4 may be related to abnormal glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, while the up-regulated PPARG may alleviate insulin resistance in the liver.