Information About My Russian Dwarf Hamster

Of the five hamsters kept as pets, Russian dwarf hamsters are not as popular as their larger Syrian cousins, also known as golden and teddy-bear hamsters, but they had a late start, since they only made their way into American pet stores in the 1980s, about 50 years after Syrian hamster.

  1. Types

    • A Campbell's Russian dwarf hamster

      The term "Russian dwarf hamster" may refer to one of two species of dwarf hamsters: Campbell's Russian dwarf or Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus campbelli), and winter white Russian dwarf or Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). The two other varieties of "dwarf" hamsters are the Roborovskis dwarf hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii) and the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus). The Chinese hamster is often lumped with the other dwarf hamsters because it is small, but the term typically refers only to the other three.

    Appearance

    • Dark stripes and grey color suggest a winter white hamster.

      Most dwarf hamsters that are sold in pet stores are Campbell's Dwarf hamsters even if they are labeled "Siberian," according to Hamsterific.com. The two hamsters look very similar and can be hard to tell apart.

      Winter whites are usually darker and grayish-black in color. They also tend to have three stripes--down their back and along each side. They also have the ability to lighten their color in the winter (hence the name). Campbell's are usually a more tan color with a lighter belly. They have a blockier body, thicker fur, larger eyes and smaller ears than winter whites. Campbell's also come in different colors such as black, blue-gray and brown. They can even be spotted or mottled in color.

    Basics

    • Russian dwarf hamsters live between 18 months to 2 years. Campbell's have a gestation period of 18 to 21 days with a litter size between one to eight pups. The gestation period of winter whites may be as long as 25 days; they have a smaller litter size, usually between 4 to 6 pups.

      Campbell's hamsters live in eastern and central Asia. Winter white hamsters live primarily in Siberia and areas of northwestern China.

    History

    • The dwarf Campbell's Russian hamster was discovered by Thomas Campbell in 1905. His findings were kept at the Gamalyea Institute in Moscow. In 1963, a few were imported by the London Zoological Society and Holloway College in the United Kingdom. Ten years later, a pair was obtained from the zoo by a member of the UK Hamster Fancy. The hamsters eventually found their way into the pet market and over to the United States in 1980s.

      Less is known about the history of winter white Russian dwarf hamsters. They were discovered in 1770. In the 1960s, a German man named Klaus Hofmann was breeding them for use as laboratory animals. Most of the captive winter white hamsters descended from them.

    Differences from Syrian Hamsters

    • Syrian hamsters are larger than Russian dwarf hamsters.

      Although they may seem like miniature Syrian hamsters, Russian dwarf hamsters have some significant differences. The major one is that they can be kept in social pairs and groups. Unless you want to be overrun by them, you should keep them in same-sex pairs. Pairings will only work if the hamsters are introduced when they are young. If fighting develops, the hamsters may need to be separated. Russian dwarf hamsters are also more people-friendly and not as nocturnal as Syrian hamsters. It is not uncommon to see a Russian dwarf hamster out during the day.