What Is a Hamster?
Let's start off with what a hamster is. A hamster is a mammal and is part of the rodent family; they have ever growing incisors that need to be worn down to stay healthy and expandable cheek pouches that allow them to store large amounts of food and bedding. All over the world you can find many different species of hamster, which often live in semi-desert conditions where they live in burrows. Hamsters use these burrows to sleep in, store food in, raise their young in and to live in. Hamsters have poor eyesight, only able to see a few inches in front of them and limited colour vision, but compromise with an excellent sense of smell and hearing. The lifespan of a hamster is short and varies between species, but generally they live two to three years.
In the world of domestic hamsters there are only five species. There are Syrian hamsters, Chinese hamsters, Russian Campbell Dwarf hamsters, Winter White Dwarf hamsters, Roborovski Dwarf hamsters as well as a Russian Campbell Dwarf & Winter White Dwarf hybrid. Despite what pet stores may claim there are only five species. Read below for a brief description of each species. Figuring out what you want in a hamster will help you decide what species is best suited for you.
Syrian Hamster
(Mesocricetus auratus)
Syrian hamsters make great hamsters for first time owners as they are often easier to handle due to their size and easier to socialize as they have been domesticated longer. They come in all sorts of different colours, patterns and fur types from long haired to hairless. Syrians are loners by nature and should never be housed with any other hamsters. Even if they do not fight, living with another hamster can be stressful causing their immune system to be lowered. When young, Syrians are prone to an illness called Wet Tail. It often comes on due to stress but once one Syrian hamster has it, any others are at risk of catching it. It is important that Syrians are kept in quiet and stress free parts of the house and are given time to settle in when first brought home.
Syrian hamsters make great hamsters for first time owners as they are often easier to handle due to their size and easier to socialize as they have been domesticated longer. They come in all sorts of different colours, patterns and fur types from long haired to hairless. Syrians are loners by nature and should never be housed with any other hamsters. Even if they do not fight, living with another hamster can be stressful causing their immune system to be lowered. When young, Syrians are prone to an illness called Wet Tail. It often comes on due to stress but once one Syrian hamster has it, any others are at risk of catching it. It is important that Syrians are kept in quiet and stress free parts of the house and are given time to settle in when first brought home.
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| Spunky, a long haired caramel mink Syrian hamster |
Russian Campbell Dwarf Hamster
(Phodopus sungorus campbelli)
Russian Campbell Dwarfs (RC dwarfs) are one of three species of dwarf hamsters. The RC dwarfs are the most common dwarf species to be found in pet stores. They are brownish-gray on top, white on their belly, furry white feet and have a dark dorsal stripe (line running down their back). They measure about five inches (12.5cm) in length. RC dwarfs are great for new dwarf owners or even for new hamster owners in general. They socialize fairly quickly and all though they are faster than Syrians they are still manageable; once socialized they make excellent companions. RC dwarfs have a reputation for being 'evil biting monsters' though this is hardly fair as most bites are the handler's fault. RC dwarfs tend to be cage territorial in small cages, and if given an adequate cage size it is unlikely that they will become cage territorial. They are also prone to diabetes and should be tested every few months using urine test strips from the pharmacy (see the Illness section or this page: Diabetes in Hamsters for more info). RC dwarfs are available in many different colours and patterns.
RC dwarfs can be kept in groups or pairs if it is done properly (discussed here: Housing Multiple Hamsters). If you are hoping to keep a pair then you need a same-sex pair of siblings. Introducing hamsters is not recommended as it often doesn't work out. If you do get a pair then you must be ready to separate them and maintain two separate cages.
Russian Campbell Dwarfs (RC dwarfs) are one of three species of dwarf hamsters. The RC dwarfs are the most common dwarf species to be found in pet stores. They are brownish-gray on top, white on their belly, furry white feet and have a dark dorsal stripe (line running down their back). They measure about five inches (12.5cm) in length. RC dwarfs are great for new dwarf owners or even for new hamster owners in general. They socialize fairly quickly and all though they are faster than Syrians they are still manageable; once socialized they make excellent companions. RC dwarfs have a reputation for being 'evil biting monsters' though this is hardly fair as most bites are the handler's fault. RC dwarfs tend to be cage territorial in small cages, and if given an adequate cage size it is unlikely that they will become cage territorial. They are also prone to diabetes and should be tested every few months using urine test strips from the pharmacy (see the Illness section or this page: Diabetes in Hamsters for more info). RC dwarfs are available in many different colours and patterns.
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| Noël, an agouti Russian Campbell Dwarf Hamster |
RC dwarfs can be kept in groups or pairs if it is done properly (discussed here: Housing Multiple Hamsters). If you are hoping to keep a pair then you need a same-sex pair of siblings. Introducing hamsters is not recommended as it often doesn't work out. If you do get a pair then you must be ready to separate them and maintain two separate cages.
Winter White Dwarf Hamster
(Phodopus sungorus sungorus)
Winter White (WW) Dwarfs are another species of dwarf hamster. They are closely related to the RC dwarf though they should never come in contact with any RC dwarfs. WW dwarfs are rounded in shape and small measuring only about 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) in length. They have a dorsal stripe (line running down the centre of their back) and two dark dashes along each cheek. WW dwarfs are named so as in the winter months (or season of the year with less light) their coats begin to turn white. Though they rarely ever become completely white. In captivity they may never change colour if the room they are located in has artificial lights on in the winter months when it is dark outside. They also make great hamster for first time owners and are known for being docile and easier to handle than some other species of hamsters. WW dwarfs are also known for being vocal and making situations seem, far worse than they really are. There are only a few colours that WW dwarfs are available in, most colour mutations associated with WW dwarfs are actually colours that come from RC/WW hybrids. WW dwarfs come in Agouti, Pearl, Sapphire and Sapphire Pearl. They are also prone to diabetes and should be tested every few months using urine test strips from the pharmacy (see the Illness page or this page: Diabetes in Hamsters for more info).
WW dwarfs can be kept in groups or pairs if it is done properly (discussed here: Housing Multiple Hamsters). If you're hoping to keep a pair then you need a same-sex pair of siblings. Introducing hamsters from different litters is not recommended as it often doesn't work out. If you do get a pair then you must be ready to separate them and maintain two separate cages in the event that they do not get along.
Winter White (WW) Dwarfs are another species of dwarf hamster. They are closely related to the RC dwarf though they should never come in contact with any RC dwarfs. WW dwarfs are rounded in shape and small measuring only about 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) in length. They have a dorsal stripe (line running down the centre of their back) and two dark dashes along each cheek. WW dwarfs are named so as in the winter months (or season of the year with less light) their coats begin to turn white. Though they rarely ever become completely white. In captivity they may never change colour if the room they are located in has artificial lights on in the winter months when it is dark outside. They also make great hamster for first time owners and are known for being docile and easier to handle than some other species of hamsters. WW dwarfs are also known for being vocal and making situations seem, far worse than they really are. There are only a few colours that WW dwarfs are available in, most colour mutations associated with WW dwarfs are actually colours that come from RC/WW hybrids. WW dwarfs come in Agouti, Pearl, Sapphire and Sapphire Pearl. They are also prone to diabetes and should be tested every few months using urine test strips from the pharmacy (see the Illness page or this page: Diabetes in Hamsters for more info).
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| Tenton, a Sapphire Winter White Dwarf Hamster (credited to Tessilicious) |
WW dwarfs can be kept in groups or pairs if it is done properly (discussed here: Housing Multiple Hamsters). If you're hoping to keep a pair then you need a same-sex pair of siblings. Introducing hamsters from different litters is not recommended as it often doesn't work out. If you do get a pair then you must be ready to separate them and maintain two separate cages in the event that they do not get along.
Roborovski Dwarf Hamster
(Phodopus roborovskii)
Roborovski (Robo) Dwarf hamsters are one of three species of dwarf hamsters. They are usually recognized for their small size (being the smallest hamster) and their white 'eyebrows'. They have a sandy brown top, a white belly & eyebrows and no dorsal stripe (stripe down the center of their back). They are about 1.5-2 inches (4-5cms) in length. Robo dwarfs are often not recommended for beginners as they are quite shy and very fast making them hard to tame and handle. I myself have found this to be accurate, if you do plan on getting Robo dwarfs be sure that you can spend several months working on socializing and earning their trust. Patience is certainly key with this species. Every hamster is different and some may learn to trust their people much faster than others. Once you do earn their trust, they make great pets. Robos are certainly entertaining to watch as well. Robo dwarfs are the most recent species to be domesticated (they didn't even make it to N. America until 1998) and only come in three varieties; Agouti, White Faced and Dominant Spot (though many more mutations are coming around). A White Face Robo dwarf basically means that they have a white face. Dominate Spot means that they have white patches across their body.
Robo dwarfs can be kept in groups or pairs if it is done properly (found here: Housing Multiple Hamsters). If you are hoping to keep a pair then you need a same-sex pair of siblings. Introducing hamsters is not recommended as it often doesn't work out. Robo dwarfs are typically most likely of all hamsters to be ok with cage mates. If you do get a pair then you must be ready to separate them and maintain two separate cages if they do end up fighting.
Roborovski (Robo) Dwarf hamsters are one of three species of dwarf hamsters. They are usually recognized for their small size (being the smallest hamster) and their white 'eyebrows'. They have a sandy brown top, a white belly & eyebrows and no dorsal stripe (stripe down the center of their back). They are about 1.5-2 inches (4-5cms) in length. Robo dwarfs are often not recommended for beginners as they are quite shy and very fast making them hard to tame and handle. I myself have found this to be accurate, if you do plan on getting Robo dwarfs be sure that you can spend several months working on socializing and earning their trust. Patience is certainly key with this species. Every hamster is different and some may learn to trust their people much faster than others. Once you do earn their trust, they make great pets. Robos are certainly entertaining to watch as well. Robo dwarfs are the most recent species to be domesticated (they didn't even make it to N. America until 1998) and only come in three varieties; Agouti, White Faced and Dominant Spot (though many more mutations are coming around). A White Face Robo dwarf basically means that they have a white face. Dominate Spot means that they have white patches across their body.
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| Bones, an agouti Roborovski Dwarf Hamster |
Robo dwarfs can be kept in groups or pairs if it is done properly (found here: Housing Multiple Hamsters). If you are hoping to keep a pair then you need a same-sex pair of siblings. Introducing hamsters is not recommended as it often doesn't work out. Robo dwarfs are typically most likely of all hamsters to be ok with cage mates. If you do get a pair then you must be ready to separate them and maintain two separate cages if they do end up fighting.
Chinese Hamster
(Cricetulus griseus)
Chinese hamsters are often referred to as a Dwarf hamster though they are not technically dwarfs at all. They are often lumped together into the dwarf category as they are small in size. Chinese hamsters are gray-brown on top, white underneath and have a dorsal stripe (line running down centre of their back). They measure about 3-4inches (7-10 cm) in length. It used to be that these hamsters weren't recommended for newbie hamster owners, but I think they have an unnecessary bad rep. I've heard from so many people that once socialized they make excellent friends. Compared to other hamsters who are more compact, Chinese hamsters are longer and thinner with a longer tail (1 inch, 3 cm) than other species of hamster. In California they are illegal and are viewed as a pest and you need a permit to own, breed or sell them. They don't come in many mutations except for the dominant spot. They enjoy climbing and burrowing so disinfected branches and a thick layer of shavings are needed for these little hamsters. Gender doesn't matter much, though males have a very noticeable scrotum. They are also prone to diabetes and should be tested every few months using urine test strips from the pharmacy (see the Illness section or this page: Diabetes in Hamsters for more info).
If you wish to keep them in pairs it is suggested to do so only with brothers as the females often do not get along as they mature. If you do get a pair then you must be ready to separate them and maintain two separate cages. Though I've been asking around a lot and it seems that many believe that Chinese hamsters to be solitary, yet I've also read that giving them a large cage, a wheel per hamster, multiple beds, multiple toys, multiple water bottles and a large food dish then they may have a better chance at getting along. You can read more about how to house them here: Housing Multiple Hamster.
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| Beansprout, an agouti Chinese Hamster (credited to Rosie) |
If you wish to keep them in pairs it is suggested to do so only with brothers as the females often do not get along as they mature. If you do get a pair then you must be ready to separate them and maintain two separate cages. Though I've been asking around a lot and it seems that many believe that Chinese hamsters to be solitary, yet I've also read that giving them a large cage, a wheel per hamster, multiple beds, multiple toys, multiple water bottles and a large food dish then they may have a better chance at getting along. You can read more about how to house them here: Housing Multiple Hamster.
The Forgotten Relatives
There are many other species of hamsters that are not kept as pets. For more information on each species please check out this: The Forgotten Relatives.
Credits
Credits
I would like to give credit and thank a few people that have allowed me to use some of their stuff on my website. Thank you to:
* Tessilicious for the image of Tenton, the Winter White.
* Rosie for the image of Beansprout, the Chinese hamster.
* Tessilicious for the image of Tenton, the Winter White.
* Rosie for the image of Beansprout, the Chinese hamster.
