Kinds of Dwarf Hamsters

Hamsters are a well-known pet option for animal lovers, but their lesser known dwarf cousins offer an exotic version of the popular pet. There are four known types of dwarf hamsters in existence. These extra-small breeds are native to Mongolia, Northern China, Manchuria and Siberia.

  1. The Campells Russian Hamster

    • This the most common dwarf hamster that you can find in a pet store. It is also called the Djungarian hamster, named after a region in Mongolia where it is commonly found. In the wild, they live in undergournd burrows with chambers and various entrances and exits. These nocturnal animals can travel up to a mile on any given night. Before selective breeding began, these hamsters were covered in agouti fur. Now, colors such as opal and white are available for consumers.

    Winter White Russian Hamster

    • This hamster was first introduced as a pet in the late 1970s. It is famous for its ability to change the color of its coat, which helps it survive in the wild. In winter, their coat changes from gray to white. This species is often confused with the Campells Russian hamster. Winter whites are not commonly sold in pet stores and are instead made available through independent hamster breeders.

    Roborovski Hamster

    • The Roborovskii hamster is native to the sand dunes found in Northern China, Mongolia and parts of Manchuria. They are the smallest of the dwarf hamster breeds and average about 2 inches in length. While other dwarfs have a dorsal stripe, this breed lacks one and has longer legs than its cousins. Their coats are usually a sandy gray while their bellies are a bright white. The eyes are large and black and are surrounded with off-white fur that gives the impression of them having eyebrows.

    Chinese Hamsters

    • The Chinese dwarf hamster is also known as the "mouster." They are also the hardest to breed. Known for their spirit and passion for fighting other hamsters within reach, these guys need to be separated if being held in captivity. This breed of hamster is often compared to rats because of their short, thick legs, long tail and short nose.