Roborovski Dwarf Hamster Facts

Though hamsters are often thought of mainly as pets, the tiny Roborovski dwarf hamster (Phodopus roborovskii), also known as the desert hamster, has only recently been bred for captivity, and remains primarily a wild species. Due to its small size and agility, the Roborovski dwarf hamster is often difficult to handle and is not recommended for first-time hamster owners.

  1. Identification

    • Roborovski dwarf hamsters are the smallest of the dwarf hamster species, measuring only 1.5 to 2 inches in length, and weighing only 20 to 25 g (less than an ounce). A white underside and white eyebrows are characteristic of this species, and the dorsal coloration tends to range from a sandy brown to gray, with a dark undercoat that can be seen through the lighter fur. The Roborovski dwarf hamster has rounded ears and a short tail that is hidden beneath the fur.

    Geography

    • The native range of the Roborovski dwarf hamster extends from Mongolia and central Asia into northern China and southern Russia. Roborovski dwarf hamsters can be found in Kazakhstan's Zaisan Basin, the Russian republic of Tuva, Mongolia and in the Chinese provinces of Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Liaoning, Gansu, Shanxi, Heilongjiang and Jilin.

    Habitat

    • The American Society of Mammalogists reports that Roborovski dwarf hamsters prefer desert habitats with sparse vegetation and relatively loose sand, which allows for burrowing. Sand dunes and arid sandhills are favored habitats for the Roborovski dwarf hamster, though they will occasionally be found in other habitats such as steppes, especially when their range overlaps with those of other wild hamsters. Roborovski dwarf hamsters tend to avoid areas of human development.

    Diet

    • The diet of the Roborovski dwarf hamster consists of both plant matter and insects, the ratio of which changes depending on the area where the hamster lives. Typically Roborovski dwarf hamsters will feed on seeds, grains and millet, as well as earwigs, grasshoppers, beetles, crickets and snails. Roborovski dwarf hamsters, like all hamsters, have cheek pouches which can expand to act as storage for food.

    Behavior

    • Roborovski dwarf hamsters are nocturnal, burrowing rodents that generally build burrows into the sides of sand dunes. The nests, made of sheep or camel wool, are constructed at the end of the burrow, where the sand is more moist and solid.

      Mating occurs in early spring and continues until September. Breeding typically results in three or four litters of young, each born after a gestation period of between 20 and 22 days, according to the American Society of Mammalogists.