Species of Hamster
There are many different species of hamsters, but only five are commonly kept as pets. Detailed below are those popular species.
Syrian Hamster
Scientific Name: Mesocricetus auratus
Length: 12.5 - 17.5 cms (4.9 - 6.9 inches)
Life Span: 2 - 3 Years
The most well known species of hamster is the Syrian or Golden Hamster and they are the species that are most commonly kept as pets. There are several different colour variations and there are also long-haired varieties. They are known by several different names, depending on their colour, which include; golden hamster, fancy hamster, honey bears, panda bears, black bears, european black bears, polar bears, teddy bears and dalmatian.
Syrian Hamsters have an inquisitive nature and they make ideal "first" pets for children. They need a large cage with plenty of space to run around in and they are active during the evening and night. They are solitary and will not tolerate other hamsters, so they need to be housed on their own otherwise they will fight.
Campbell's Russian Dwarf Hamster
Scientific Name: Phodopus campbelli
Length: 10 - 12 cms (3.9 - 4.7 inches)
Life Span: 1.5 - 3 Years
Campbell's Russian Dwarf Hamsters were discovered by W C Campbell in 1902 in Tuva, Asia. They are native to the steppes and semi-arid areas of central Asia, the Altay Mountains and northeastern China.
They can be many different colours and have a variety of markings. They also have one of four coat types; normal, satin, wavy or rex. They are mainly active at dawn and dusk and they can move extremely quickly.
Unlike Syrian Hamsters, Campbell's Russian Dwarf Hamsters can live happily together if they are introduced at an early age. However, hamsters that have been housed together for some time can occasionally end up fighting to the point that they need separated, so owners should be aware of this.
Because of their small size, they can be quite difficult for small children to handle, but they do make good pets for older children or adults. Sometimes they are able squeeze through the bars of some hamster cages, so plastic or glass aquariums make more suitable homes.
Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster
Scientific Name: Phodopus sungorus
Length: 8 - 10 cms (3.1 - 3.9 inches)
Life Span: 1.5 - 2 Years
Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamsters are similar to Campbell's Russian Dwarf Hamsters. They can be found in Siberia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia and they are also known as Siberian Hamsters.
They are usually brown/grey or blue/grey during the summer months and they can moult into a white winter coat, hence their name. They can live happily together with other hamsters if they are carefully introduced at an early age.
Because of their small size, they can be quite difficult for small children to handle, but they do make good pets for older children or adults. They can also squeeze through the bars of some hamster cages, so plastic or glass aquariums make more suitable homes.
Chinese Hamster
Scientific Name: Cricetulus griseus
Length: 10 - 12 cms (3.9 - 4.7 inches)
Life Span: 2 - 3 Years
The Chinese Hamster originates in the deserts of northern China and Mongolia. They are often kept as pets and in the past have been used as laboratory animals.
Compared with other hamsters they have a long, thin build and a relatively long tail. They can be greyish/brown in colour with a dark stripe down their spine and a light coloured underside, or a popular colour variation is greyish white all over with a dark stripe on their back; these are known as White Spotted Chinese Hamsters.
Chinese Hamsters have quiet temperaments and are easily handled. They can be quite nervous when they are young, but once they are tame they are calm and gentle.
Some US states such as California, regard Chinese Hamsters as pests and a special permit is required to own, breed and sell them. In other states such as New Jersey they are classed as exotic animals and a permit is also required to own them.
Roborovski Hamster
Scientific Name: Phodopus roborovskii
Length: Up to 4.5 cms (1.8 inches)
Life Span: Up to 3.5 Years
Roborovski Hamsters originate around the Gobi Desert, throughout the desert steppe of Mongolia and in parts of Northern China. They are the smallest species of hamster that is commonly kept as a pet and they have the longest life span of any domestic hamster.
They are sandy/gold in colour with a white coloured underside and white markings above their eyes. They are extremely active and very fast which makes them difficult to handle, but they thrive in an enriched environment and their antics are very entertaining and fun to watch. They can be housed together if they are introduced at an early age, but they are also very territorial so owners need to be aware of this.
Because of their size, they can easily squeeze through the bars of a standard hamster cage, so housing needs to be carefully considered. A gap of 7mm is the minimum width that should be between the bars of a cage, but if you are a first time Roborovski owner seek advice from your pet store or breeder as to the suitability of housing.
As Roborovski Hamsters are so fast and difficult to handle they are not widely kept as a pet and they do not make good pets for children. They aren't common in pet shops but you can purchase them from specialist hamster breeders.
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