Russian Dwarf Hamster
How many kinds of Russian Hamsters are there?
The term Russian dwarf hamster usually refers to several different species including:
- the Winter White Russian or also called Siberian
- the Campbell Russian or also called the Djungarian
- the Roborovskii Dwarf hamster also called the Desert hamster
The Winter White and the Campbell Russian are often mistaken for the same because of they are about the same size 8 to 10 centimeters and their coloring is also similar. The Roborovskii hamster is the smallest of the three adults growing to only be about 4 to 5 centimeters.
Winter White Russian dwarf hamster
Winter White Russian dwarf hamster
The Winter White Russian dwarf hamster are more rare then the Campbell Russian dwarf hamster among pet stores. They are usually sold in pairs of the same sex and are friendly. What is so amazing about these little creatures is their ability to change color in the winter. In their native homelands, Winter Whites change from their normal dark gray coloring to white in order to camouflage themselves and escape from predators in the snow. It is a trait that has followed them even into captivity.
Why their color change is triggered by the amount of natural sunlight they receive on a daily basis. When the daylight hours get shorter, it triggers them to change to an almost all white color. When the main exposure is artificial light, they will most likely not change color.
Campbell Russian dwarf hamster
Campbell Russian Dwarf Hamster learning how to surf the internet
The Campbell Russian dwarf hamster are also known as Eastern dwarf hamster because they come from a region in Mongolia called Djungarian. This is the type of hamster that is most common in pet stores. As they become popular, creative breeding has increased their color combination and markings. Now besides their wild nature color, they can now be found with spots, mottled, or even colors like cinnamon, black or even shades or blue or lilac.
Roborovskii Russian dwarf hamster
Roborovskii Russian Dwarf Hamster chilling out having a nap
Roborovskii Russian dwarf hamsters originally lived in the desert dunes of Western and Eastern regions of Mongolia and parts of Northern China. They are smaller then their White Winter and Campbell dwarf hamster cousins, and also have slightly longer legs.
They naturally have a coat that is sandy brown in color with a slate gray undercoat. Because of their high actively level they can be sometimes hard to keep as pets and they are too small for most wire cages. Most of these small creatures can squeeze themselves through the bars. Roborovskii hamster is an extremely clean animal and enjoys grooming itself and they love a good sand bath. Chinchilla sand is a good choice in a ceramic bowl or plate, that they can easily access and roll around in.
Even though there are different kinds, they all require about the same amount of care.
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Chinese Dwarf Hamsters
Where did Chinese dwarf hamsters originally come from?
Originally found in the deserts northern China and Mongolia, they are rare when it comes to pet hamsters. The reason that they are rare is because they can be hard to breed in captivity and they are restricted to own in most states within the United States.
Looks, size and coloring of Chinese Dwarf Hamsters
- Look more mouse-like then most hamsters.
- Although they are smaller the Syrian hamsters they are not actually dwarf hamsters.
- They are part of the rat-like family of hamsters.
- Typically have a longer tail and a longer mouse-like body then other hamsters.
- They can grow to be about 10 to 12 centimeters in length when full grown.
- Normally colored with grayish brown with a black strip down its spine and a white underside.
- Even though they have been kept in captivity longer the Syrian hamsters there have only been two other color mutations beyond the normal or wild type which is the dominate spot and the black eyed white.
Housing Considerations
- It is thought that dwarf hamsters typically do every well in pairs but the Chinese hamster is the exception to the rule.
- Two females introduced at an early age have the possibility of getting along better then a male and a female. Separate and provide separate housing if they fight!
- Females are the dominate sex within the Chinese hamster community so the male might end up seriously injured or dead.
- Housing two hamsters together requires twice as much room within the cage. More then one level and plenty of places to hide are also good things to have when housing a pair of Chinese dwarfs together.
- The less dominate hamster has a chance to get away from the more dominate one with more places to go.
- Hamsters are normally kept in plastic or aquarium tanks due to the fact that they can squeeze through bars that are too wide on a wire cage. It is possible for them to escape completely or to become stuck in the cage bars resulting in a traumatic experience for both the owner and the hamster.
Feeding Chinese Dwarf Hamsters
The feeding requirements for the Chinese dwarf hamsters are typical to other hamster species.
More on what to feed your dwarf hamster
Chinese Dwarf hamsters and children
- Although they can live between two and three years, they are not always easily tamable or trainable.
- They are thought to be on the aggressive side, skittish and extremely agile.
- They can jump from very high heights, are very fast, and can escape from cages if they are not overly secured.
- They are also expert climbers.
- Because of these remarkable traits Chinese hamsters are not always good for children under the age of twelve and sometimes make better pets when they are not handled at all. They are also not recommended for beginners.
Chinese Dwarf Hamster video
Does a Chinese dwarf hamster make a good pet?
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Baby Dwarf Hamster Care
Raising
Raising baby dwarf hamsters can be a lot of fun and fairly easy. Of course there are challenges and knowing the facts beforehand can make it go smoother and successful with your new hobby.
How many babies can a dwarf hamster have?
As the hamsters life cycle is relatively short there is a need to produce as many offspring as possible in their lifetime to ensure the survival of it’s species. Remarkably they have a short reproduction cycle of 18 to 21 days. In this time the mother will have a litter ranging in size from 1 to ten pups, with the average ranging from 5 to 6.
The first 10 days when the babies have arrived
- For the first 10 days from birth, it is recommended that owners leave the babies alone with their mother. and avoid touching the babies and changing the cage bedding materials.
- In about 7 days the babies get their fur and after 10 days they open their eyes and can hear and begin walking around.At this point that you may start to handle the babies for brief periods of time.
- Best to take cues from the mother, as she might not like her babies being handled and overprotective. Always when handling the babies take extra special care.
Babies can be very jumpy and are at risk to be seriously injured if they were to fall. By continuing to handle the babies regularly it helps them to become tame. After about two weeks the babies will start to eat regular potions of solid food, however they still rely on their mother for nutrient till they are 18 to 21 days old. The babies can eat regular and fresh portions of oats, oatmeal, wheat germ or small birdseed.
Some owners even offer the babies tiny amounts of cucumber or red apple which will help them benefit from the added moisture. Especially when they are too small to use the water bottle. Around 10 days old they are finally able to reach the water bottle. Once they are able to find other alternatives to nursing, their mother will naturally start to nurse them less often.
By 3 to four weeks the babies are fully weaned from their mom
After about four weeks the babies should be fully weaned from mom and ready to be moved to their own cage. Ideally house sibling together in same sex groups, preventing any unwanted inbred pregnancies. If the male stays with the mom she will most likely be pregnant while she is nursing this litter. In that case, the babies should be removed after when the mother has another litter.
Baby dwarf caring tips
- The care that is required for babies is the same that would be given to any other hamster.
- Owners should clean their cages about once a week unless there are a lot of babies in one cage.
- Adjust cleaning requirements as needed. Always have fresh food and water available daily.
- It is important to continually check on the well being of the baby hamsters without touching them in the first 10 days.
- Check that all are getting enough food and water, and that they have not gotten injured from fighting with litter mates, and they are staying physically healthy.
- As a responsible pet owner and possibly breeder, make sure that the pups are going to a good home and will receive good care.
It’s fun to watch and learn from Mom Robo giving her baby dwarf hamster care!
Watch baby dwarf hamster care on video.
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Dwarf Hamster Supplies
No matter what kind of pet you are going to purchase, supplies are essential to being able to provide the care necessary to take care of that pet. The Dwarf hamster is no different from owning other types of pets; they need certain supplies in order to live comfortably and healthy in a home setting.
The most important supply when it comes to caring for a dwarf hamster is in the cage.
More about the Dwarf hamster housing
Substrate
The most important aspect to the hamster cage is the substrate. The best substrate nesting material is:
- Alder shavings, wood shavings, packaged and meant for hamster bedding material, low dust as possible
Substrate materials to AVOID:
- Never use cedar shavings as bedding material as some dwarf hamsters can develop allergies and become sick..
Place about one to two inches of substrate upon the entire floor of the cage. By building up the substrate to five or six inches on one or both sides of the cage allows the dwarf hamster an interesting area to climb and dig.
More Dwarf Hamster substrate information click here.
Hamster Potty
- Dwarf hamsters can be trained to use a litter box. Look for droppings that are all found in one area of the cage as they tend to like to pick one spot.
- A “hamster potty” can be found at some pet supply stores. Place the potty in the same place that you noticed the droppings. You will need to fill the potty pelleted newspaper cat litter but you should never use clay or clumping cat litter as they can cause digestive or respiratory problems for your dwarf hamster.
Why Hamster chew toys are needed
Another important dwarf hamster supply is chew toys. Most people associate chew toys with a pet dog rather then a pet hamster but, chew toys are an important part of the hamster world.
- Hamsters’ teeth never stop growing. If they don’t constantly file them down, they would grow so large that the hamster would no longer be able to close its mouth and could starve to death.
- Chew toys for hamsters come in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes. They are almost all made of soft wood.
- These toys need to be check on a daily basis to ensure that they stay safe and unsoiled for the hamster’s use.
- Avoid plastic toys as pieces can break off and sharp rough edges can hurt your hamster.
Fresh Water Supply
In order to ensure that you hamster stays healthy and hydrated you will need to supply your dwarf hamster with a fresh water supply.
- A water bottle that hangs on the side of the cage is perfect for these small pets. Make sure it is low enough that the Dwarf hamster can easily reach it.
- Most hamsters catch on early on how to use these bottles and they keep the cages tidy lowering the risk of substrate ending up in a water bowl or a bowl getting knocked over and spilled.
- Keep an eye on the water bottle on a daily basis. Make sure that they hamster is receiving fresh water and that they bottle is free of leaks or cracks
Hamster House for Privacy
Another important dwarf hamster supply is a house that the hamster can make a nest in. They are normally shy creatures and appreciate a place to hide.
With no concerns with humidity or temperature, the supplies needed to keep your dwarf hamster are limited and easy enough to supply. When picking a location for your pet’s home, avoid placing in direct sunlight , near heaters or fans and where there are drafts.
Dwarf Hamster Sized wheel
Dwarf hamsters need enough space to run around and love to run on exercise wheels. Avoid using wheels that have rungs and that are open as your hamster could injure themselves. When purchasing a wheel consider the size of your hamster and consider a wheel that is made for their size.
