Russian Dwarf Hamster

There seems to be a lot of confusion about types of dwarf hamsters, especially the species know collectively as the Russian dwarf hamsters. I will try to clear away some of the fog.

When  most people talk about Russian dwarf hamsters they are usually talking about any of several different species, such as the Roborovski’s Dwarf Hamster, the Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster, and the Cambell’s Russian Dwarf Hamster. The Cambell’s and the Winter White are often mistaken for the same species because they are similar in size (eight to ten centimeters) and color. The Roborovski’s is the smallest of all, only reaching about four or five centimeters when fully grown.

Winter White Dwarf Hamster

Winter White’s are rarer than Cambell’s, and are more difficult to find in local pet emporiums. Normally they come in same-sex pairs and are quite friendly. Incredibly, they have the unique ability to alter their color in the winter, hence their name. In areas where they are native, Winter Whites camoflage themselves by changing their fur color from it’s normal gray to white, and back again in the spring. They generally do the same in captivity. It is believed that shorter daylight hours have much to do with their unique color-change ability. If they are kept under artificial light, Winter Whites may not change color at all.

Another name for the Campbell’s is the Djungaria hamster, named after the region in Mongolia theay are natives of. If you find a dwarf hamster in your local pet emporium, it is likely a Cambell’s Russian Dwarf Hamster. Because they are so common, and therefore so commonly bred, they are now available in a wide variety of colorings and markings, including mottled grayish blues, cinnamons, blacks, and even spotted.

The Roborovski’s Dwarf Hamster is the desert cousin of the other Dwarf Hamsters, native to Mongolia and Northern China. They may be smaller than either the Cambell’s or the Winter White, but nonetheless they have slightly longer legs, probably to facilitate living and digging in sandy soils. Likewise their fur is typically a sandy-brown color, and there bellies are a muted gray, making them diffucult for predators to spot in desert topography. Thier small size and highly actiove natures makes them among the most difficult hamsters to keep as pets. They are natural escape artists, and once loose almost impossible to find! They are, however, very clean and fastidious, spending a great deal of time grooming and caring for their fur. They even enjoy a good dust bath!

All of the various species have roughly equivalent dwarf hamster care and nuturing requirements. I recommend allowing them some time each day outside their enclosure, and you should exercise them with a hamster ball. These allow them to run around outside their enclosure without getting lost. Keep them away from any stairs, and enjoy their antics!

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