How to Tell If a Hamster Is Hybrid

When it comes to selecting family pets, hamsters are a top choice. Children love to feel the softness of these independent, furry friends and can hardly resist their cuteness. Hybrid hamsters -- the offspring of the dwarf Campbells Russian hamster and the dwarf Winter White Russian hamster -- the only two of the five species of hamsters kept as pets that are capable of interbreeding and giving birth to live babies, are even more interesting. These hybrids have characteristics that are a combination of both species. To distinguish a hybrid, look for specific characteristics.

Things You'll Need

  • hamster
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Instructions

  1. Normal Campbell and Winter White Characteristics

    • 1

      Observe a normal Winter White's color.

      It has a black tint along the side arches, black hair in the white areas under side arches and a thick, jet black dorsal stripe which becomes wider between its shoulders. Other color mutations include purple-gray fur and black eyes, white and black or purple-gray hairs spread through the coat and thicker along the dorsal area.

    • 2

      Note the normal Winter White's body shape and facial features.

      The body is bullet-shaped with a long head, smooth side profile, Roman nose and large, bold eyes that are closer to the ears than the nose.

    • 3

      Observe the pure Campbells' color.

      Pure Campbell Russian hamsters come in a variety of colors. The thinner dorsal stripe is gray-black and does not widen between the shoulders. Other colors include white fur with red eyes, ginger with red eyes, blue-gray with black eyes, black with black eyes, dull ginger with black eyes, white fur with colored patches or spots, or colored fur with white patches or spots, white fur with black eyes, colored fur with white hairs through the coat, and wet-looking, shiny coat.

    • 4

      Look at the pure Campbell's eyes and facial features.

      The eyes are at an equal distance between the nose and ears. The nose is puffy and the profile on the side of the face puffs out around the nose.

    Hybrid with Strong Winter White Characteristics

    • 5

      Note the body shape.

      The hybrid with strong Winter White Russian characteristics has a bullet-shaped body, a long head and a nose that is slightly puffier than the hybrid with strong Campbell characteristics.

    • 6

      Take note of the dorsal stripe.

      The dorsal stripe of the hybrid with strong Winter White Russian characteristics is thinner and does not become wider between the shoulders. The color is lighter along the side arches and there are no black hairs in whiter areas under the side arches.

    • 7

      Observe the eyes.

      This hybrid has eyes that are less prominent than the Campbells and are at an equal distance from the ears and nose.

    Hybrid with Strong Campbell Characteristics

    • 8

      Examine the face profile and body shape.

      Hybrids that have dominant characteristics of the Campbells Russian parent have a smooth side face profile, puffy nose and a flat body shape.

    • 9

      Examine the dorsal stripe.

      The dorsal stripe is thicker, gray-black and wider between the shoulders.

    • 10

      Observe the eyes.

      The eyes are closer to the ears than nose.