When I think about the various types of hamsters, I’m often surprised by the sheer number of species within the Cricetinae subfamily. While many people are familiar with the common pet varieties, like the friendly Syrian hamster, it’s fascinating to contemplate the lesser-known species that have unique traits and care requirements. Each type offers something distinct, which can influence a pet owner’s choice considerably. So, what exactly sets these hamsters apart, and which ones might be the best fit for different households? Let’s explore this further.
Overview of Hamster Species
When it comes to hamsters, there are over 20 species in the Cricetinae subfamily, but only five are commonly kept as pets in the UK. Each of these species has its own unique traits that make them special.
For instance, Syrian hamsters are popular for their friendly nature and come in a rainbow of colours like golden, brown, and gray. Then there are Chinese hamsters, which have a cool dark stripe down their backs and a longer tail, but they can be a bit tricky to care for.
Winter White hamsters are fascinating because they change their fur colour with the seasons, turning white in winter and grey in summer. Campbell’s Russian Dwarf hamsters are similar but have darker stripes and shorter hair on their feet.
Finally, we’ve the Roborovski Dwarf hamsters, the tiniest of them all, known for their speedy little legs!
It’s important to remember that different species have different needs. While some prefer to live alone, others can share a space if they get along well.
Domestication and Popularity
With their charming behaviours and relatively low maintenance needs, domesticated hamsters have become popular pets for many households. There are five primary species that people often choose: the Syrian or Golden hamster, the Chinese hamster, the Winter White Russian Dwarf hamster, Campbell’s Russian Dwarf hamster, and Roborovski Dwarf hamster.
Each species varies in size and personality. For instance, Syrian hamsters grow to be about 5-7 inches long, while the tiny Roborovski hamsters are only 1.5-2 inches!
Syrian hamsters are the most common choice, known for their friendly nature, while Chinese hamsters can sometimes be considered pests in certain states, requiring special permits to keep.
Curiously, some hamsters, like the European and Turkish varieties, are rarely kept as pets because they’re more wild and difficult to care for.
Hamsters have a short lifespan, typically living 1.5 to 3 years, but they bring a lot of joy during that time. They come in various colours and patterns, and some even change their coats with the seasons!
Unique Characteristics of Species
When exploring the unique characteristics of different hamster species, you’ll find that each type has its own distinct traits that make them special.
For example, the Syrian hamster, known scientifically as Mesocricetus auratus, is generally friendly and easy to tame. They’re a bit larger, growing between 5-7 inches long, and prefer to live alone.
On the other hand, Chinese hamsters, or Cricetulus griseus, are smaller, measuring around 4-5 inches. They have got a long, thin body and a shy personality, but don’t worry; with a little patience, they can be tamed too!
Now, if you’re curious about the Winter White Russian Dwarf hamster, or Phodopus sungorus, you’ll love their unique ability to change coat colour with the seasons, turning white in winter and back again in spring.
They’re social and playful, though they might nip if you’re not careful during handling.
Lastly, Campbell’s Russian Dwarf hamsters, known as Phodopus campbelli, are quite similar, but they’ve a darker stripe on their back.
They need some time to warm up to new owners, so be gentle, and you’ll win their trust!
The Golden
The Golden, or Syrian, is the hamster most commonly kept as a pet. When most people talk about hamsters it is normally the Golden they are thinking about. Golden hamsters, as you may have guessed, are gold in colour on their backs with a white belly. However once these animals became popular people began selectively breeding them to produce many other colours. They are now available in colours, such as cream, cinnamon, silver, white, black and others. There are also a lot of different coat patterns to choose from. It is unlikely that these colours or patterns would be seen in the wild as the hamster would become more noticeable to the animals that prey on them and would not live long enough to pass its genes on.
Longhaired hamsters or those with short, velvety coats would not be found in the wild either. However these Teddy-bear hamsters have become quite popular. There are also longhaired and shorthaired rex hamsters with wavy coats. There are even completely bald hamsters available.
Some breeders believe, and are probably correct, that the most genetically sound hamster is the original golden. This is due to the fact that often, to fix certain characteristics, breeders will inbreed their stock, i.e. brother to sister, father to daughter, mother to son etc. In the long term this leads to genetic diseases becoming more commonplace and will eventually destroy the animals’ immune systems or even make them sterile.
The Dwarfs
As already mentioned, the golden, or Syrian, hamster is the one people are normally thinking about when they talk about hamsters. Today, however a relatively new pet is taking the hamster world by storm. These are dwarf hamsters, cute little critters whose popularity is growing by the day.
Dwarf hamsters can be anything from 2 to 4 inches in length. They have small delicate feet and have a compact ball-like physique. Unlike Golden hamsters dwarfs actually like to live with others like themselves. On the down side some owners have reported that dwarfs are more likely to nip you than Goldens. Others have said that while they may be more difficult to tame, they like the fact that they enjoy being with their own kind and are more entertaining to watch. Whether your hamster bites you or not is probably more down to the way in which the animal has been socialised than what type it is. The more positive the hamster’s association has been with humans, the less likely it is try to take a chunk out of you.
The Russians
In the early 1900’s W.C. Campbell discovered a small hamster species which bears his name today. Nowadays the Campbell’s dwarf is the most popular of the dwarf hamsters on the market. This hamster is also called the Russian, although it can also be found in China and Mongolia. Russian dwarfs have a soft coat and a dorsal stripe that runs down its back. It is small and round and can be found in many colour variations. It usually has a sleek shiny coat, like that of the Golden hamster.
As well as Mr Campbell’s Russian dwarf hamster, there is also one known as the Siberian dwarf. This type is smaller and is also called a winter white, as its grey coat will turn pure white if it is kept in a cool environment. Siberians are reported as being more friendly and quite easy to tame.
The Roborovski Dwarf
Another popular dwarf hamster is the Roborovski dwarf. These are the smallest of the dwarfs and there was an Olympics for hamsters they would be in the sprint events as they are the fastest hamsters out there. If you decide to spend time with your Roborovski outside its cage you will need to be extra careful and ensure it has no easy means of escape. Unlike the Russian, they do not have a stripe on their backs but they do have cute white eyebrows.
The Chinese Dwarf
Chinese dwarfs sort of look like mice. The main reason for this is their tails. They normally come in two colour variations, white with brown patches, or brown with a white dorsal stripe. Their bodies are long and thin. Chinese hamsters are not renowned for their friendliness so you will never know what you are going to end up with. It very much depends on how they were tamed when they were young. With this type it is important to find a breeder who has taken the time to hand tame their youngsters. This has become easier as Chinese dwarf hamsters are growing in popularity amongst the hamster keeping public.
There are over 20 different hamster species, but only a few are popular as pets. Each type, from the friendly Syrian to the lively Roborovski, has its own quirks and needs, making them unique companions. Whether you’re considering adopting one or just curious, understanding these furry friends can help you appreciate them even more. So, if you’re ready for a little adventure with a hamster, you’re in for a delightful experience!