Instructions
Measure the length of your hamster with a ruler. Dwarf hamsters have somewhat elongated bodies and often only reach a length of up to 4 inches. The Syrian variety tend to appear rounder and can reach about 8 inches in length.
Look for a telltale dark stripe on the back of your hamster. A true dwarf hamster will have this dark stripe running from its head to its tail. The color of dwarf hamsters is mostly brown, gray or white, so this dark stripe will be very noticeable.
Observe your hamster's personality. While dwarf hamsters can be more prone to biting their human owners, they are much more tolerant of other hamsters, preferring to live in same sex groups unlike the solitary Syrian hamster breed.
Determine the length of time between possible mating and the eventual birth of newborn hamster pups. The gestation period for dwarfs can take anywhere from 18 to 30 days, while Syrian hamsters give birth quicker, generally within about 15 days from conception.
How to Know If Your Hamster Is a Dwarf
Hamsters are a popular pet choice among people of all ages as they are very easy to care for and always entertaining to watch. Dwarf, or Siberian, hamster breeds include Chinese, winter white, Campbell's and Russian/Roborovski, which are all easily distinguishable from the Syrian hamster in a number of ways. To determine if your hamster is a dwarf, look for certain physical and behavioral characteristics that are exclusive to the dwarf variety.