Roborovski Hamsters. It also has large ears and a flattened skull. The Gansu hamster is also a part of the family Cricetidae. One of two species of Russian dwarf hamsters, Campbell's Dwarf … It's found in China and Mongolia where it lives in burrows beneath desert shrubbery. Coloration is relatively muted, with a sandy brownish-grey dorsal coloring and light grey ventral coloring. Read our, Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamsters: Species Profile, Campbell's Dwarf Russian Hamster: Species Profile, How to Breed Campbell and Winter White Dwarf Russian Hamsters, Breeding Information for Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters, Syrian Hamster (Golden Hamster): Species Profile, Why Syrian Hamsters Live Together in Pet Stores but Not at Your Home, Learn to Tell If Your Hamster Is Male or Female. If you have mixed genders in one cage, you will likely have hamster babies soon. However, if you're looking for more of a display hamster that's full of energy, Roborovski Dwarf hamsters are great. These areas are very dry with little vegetation, so this hamster species burrows 6 feet under the ground for shelter. This experience has given him the knowledge necessary to help others become excellent pet owners. Also known as the Georgian hamster, the Ciscaucasian hamster is found only in Georgia and Russia. Main colors for the Campbell would include agouti (wild natural color), argente (sandy), and albino (white). The Mongolian hamster is one of two members of the genus Allocricetulus. They get their name from Charles William Campbell, who first caught one in Mongolia back in 1904. The European hamster is the only species in the genus Cricetus. They Grey Dwarf hamster has an average body length of 4 inches with a furry tail that's about 1/3 of that length. They're also very bold, friendly, active, and fun to watch. Syrian hamsters are incredibly popular and can be handled/interacted with frequently. It prefers mountainous regions, living in altitudes of up to 17,100 feet. Roborovski hamster. There are 19 types of hamsters in the world, although this figure varies depending on the classification used. Unfortunately, standard cages you will find at the pet store are not "one size fits all" in regards to hamster varieties. They are a bit like a mouse.Wild hamsters live in the desert, but people all over the world keep domesticated hamsters as pets.. While globally it isn't considered endangered, it's considered critically endangered in several Western European countries. Your hamster could start chewing the metal bars, which can cause oral health issues with time. They usually measure in between two to three inches when fully grown. Residing in Northern China, the Greater Long-Tailed hamster is the only member of the genus Tscherskia. Those are the Syrian, Campbell's Dwarf, Roborovski Dwarf, Winter White Dwarf, and Chinese hamsters. They also require very large enclosures with plenty of room to run around. Miedel, Emily L., and F. Claire Hankenson. Everybody wants to bring home a pet that's best-suited for them, and a good insight into the different types of hamsters will help with that. Syrian Hamster. Chinese hamsters are very energetic, so this trait combined with their small size means that they aren't easy to handle. Different species of hamsters should never be kept together. Biology And Diseases Of Hamsters. Cons of Wire Cages. If you're looking for a pet hamster to be involved with, Syrian hamsters are great. Hybrid Hamsters. With 24 species of hamsters, these animals come in a wide range of sizes. Syrian Hamsters. © 2020 Beyond The Treat | Amazon Associates Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This hamster originates from Kazakhstan and south west Siberia; they are also... 3. Just like other pets, hamsters have different personalities or lifestyles based on their breed. Its body length is about 3.7 inches with a 1 inch tail. They are perfect pets for children and this is the breed that a lot of first time purchases choose. Size: 10cm (length) Temperament: Placid and easily tamed. It has extensive burrow where it stores large amounts of food. Therefore, they're best to just observe, and fortunately they put on quite a show. A type of dwarf hamster, the winter white, can grow up to four inches long. Although this species of hamster is a treat to watch, the speed with which they move can make handling them a bit tricky. Be sure to understand how big your hamster is expected to grow and have a hamster habitat that is suitable for your size hamster. Lianne is a veterinarian, epidemiologist, and freelance writer who's written nearly 400 articles for The Spruce Pets. It also has very large, rounded ears. Description. This can make them a better choice for families with older children. This species digs burrows as deep as 5 feet beneath the ground. It forages for grain and seeds and also hunts insects. It's native to a large area in Eurasia, ranging from Belgium to the Altai mountains to Russia. They come in three main colourations: normal (black & grey), sapphire (Bluish grey) and pearl (mainly white). It digs burrows to an average depth and is active both day and night. It's found in China and Mongolia. These extremely adaptable hamsters live in scrublands, sand dunes, farmlands, and desert steppes. These hamsters prefer the calm and quiet, meaning less tolerance for holding. However, over the years many different colours, coat lengths, patterns and coat types have now developed due to mutations. Types of Dwarf Hamsters Currently there four dwarf breeds of hamsters that are available as pets and include the: Campbell, Winter White, Chinese and Robo (Roborovski). This means that they're best kept in very large hamster cages. In terms of color, it's mostly a light greyish-brown with a faint stripe on the spine. Several states such as New Jersey and California have labeled the Chinese hamster as a pest, so special permits are required for ownership, selling, and breeding. The Turkish hamster is a type of hamster that's native to Turkey, Armenia, and several other surrounding nations. Winter White Dwarf hamsters get their name from the fact that their gray fur usually turns white in the winter in order to disguise themselves from predators. There may be endless sources of information for pet owners looking to invest in their next furry friend—assuming, of … These are the three most common types of hamsters that are typically for sale in pet stores. Elsevier, doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-409527-4.00005-5. As always, if you have any questions about the type of hamster and specific care needs, be sure to talk with people at a pet store or with your veterinarian. Campbell’s dwarf hamster appears highly similar to the other Russian, the Winter White, but has smaller ears, more furry feet, and lacks a dark patch on its head. Syrian hamsters are one of the most common types of hamsters that are kept as pets. Though all dwarf hamsters seem similar in their needs, each species has a very different temperament and … The Chinese Striped hamster is native to central and eastern Asia and makes a home in aris and semiarid grasslands and steppe. Hamsters are rodents belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae.The subfamily contains about 25 species in six or seven genera. It's very closely related to the Syrian hamster, but it's more unknown and rarely kept as a pet. Syrian Hamster. The natural color of most Syrian hamsters is golden brown with a lighter belly. Their adorable appearance, fun personality, and relative ease of care makes them a great choice for all households and all ages. Also called a Russian Dwarf hamster, these pint-sized pets are native to the desert areas of... 3. Winter White Russian dwarf hamster. Different varieties of hamsters do have slightly different expected lifespans, however, all varieties seem to live for approximately 2 years. Types of Hamsters Syrian hamsters are the most common type kept as pets. That's not to say that they can't be kept as pets, but it definitely isn't recommended. Additionally, this species is genetically predisposed to diabetes.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'beyondthetreat_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_0',138,'0','0'])); These tiny hamsters originally roamed throughout the deserts of central Asia, but they've become popular pets recently due to their fun temperament and tiny size. They're not nice to handle, but they're always doing something that's interesting. There are a number of important factors to should consider when deciding if a hamster is the right pet for you and your family. Its fur is brownish-grey with white underparts. These hamsters live in long burrows that they emerge from in the early hours of the night to forage for seeds. These are domesticated hamsters that are commonly found in pet stores and are suitable for pet ownership. This creature inhabits arid areas with dry forests, rocky steppes, and shrubby slopes. If you're looking to bring home a new pet hamster, you may want to know about the different types of hamsters that exist. The most common pet hamster, the Syrian hamster, also known as the teddy bear hamster or golden hamster, usually grows to abo… There are many different types of hamsters, so researching them are important to pick out a good friend for your house. But, each of these unique types of hamsters also shows slight differences. There are two types of Russian dwarf hamsters and this dwarf hamster breed would be the first one. It features brown dorsal fur and a white underside with a black stripe running from the top of its head to its neck. The Tibetan Dwarf hamster has a body length of about 4.1 inches with a tail reaching up to 1.5 inches. The base colour of … As the most common of all types of pet hamsters, Syrians are also the largest and longest-lived. The Chinese hamster is less common as a pet, partially because of the male's large and conspicuous genitals, which can grow to be as large as their head. Campbell's Dwarf hamsters are best kept in small groups, but they can still become territorial. Various species of dwarf hamster are also common as pets, including the Roborovski hamster, known colloquially as the Robo, despite not being a cool cybernetic hamster of the future. It's endemix to China, and is the only species in the genus Cansumys. The Long-Tailed Dwarf Hamster is found in Russia, China, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. Hamsters belong to the subfamily Cricetinae, which contains 19 different species of hamsters that fall under 7 genera. Required fields are marked *, Get exclusive pet tips, tricks, and fun stuff that we love :), About         Contact         Medical Disclaimer         Terms         Privacy. If your hamster is a climbing type, the bars of this cage provide a lot more entertainment compared to other cage types. It's found in both grassy and mountain steppes at high elevations and favors pastures and cultivated land. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. It doesn't hibernate, so year-round it forages for roots, plants, seeds, and hunts insects. It has a yellowish-brown coloration with a white throat and black ventral region. But; generally contain the same amount of nutrition regardless of color. Gerbil vs. Hamster – Which Is The Right Pet For You. There are 19 officially recognized types of hamsters that are a part of 7 different genera. Although the term “hamster” refers to about 19 species of small rodents, there are only about five found in the pet market. They also tend to be a bit more mild-mannered and reserved than Campbell's hamsters. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. There are only 5, so if you hear any other names that are different they are probably just nicknames. The Syrian hamster (often called Golden hamster) is the most common species of hamster used as pet. There are four species of dwarf hamsters (Campbell’s Russian Hamster, Winter White Hamster, Roborovskii’s Hamster, and the Chinese Hamster). Explore our small animal pet store here. They can get along well with their owners, too, as long as proper interaction is taking place and regular entertainment is provided. European hamsters are crepuscular and eat seeds, legumes, grasses, vegetables, and insects. Note: We may earn commissions from the links within this post. Generally, they are quite cuddly and good-natured, as well as less likely to bite or nip. The Syrian hamster is also most commonly know as the golden hamster as this is the original 'wild' colour. Roborovski hamster. Of these hamsters, many are rarely kept as pets. Here are the 5 Domesticated species of hamster! The different hamster varieties do have a quite significant physical size range. Campbell hamsters are much faster than Syrian hamsters, which is a trait that puts some prospective owners off. This is a very large hamster with a body length of about 11 inches. The pellets may be dyed a variety of bright colors to enhance their appearance. Chinese Hamster Chinese hamster. Dwarf Hamsters. It's part of the family Cricetidae, which is the second largest family of mammals. The 5 most commonly-kept types of hamsters for pet owners are Syrian hamsters, Campell's Dwarf hamsters, Roborovski Dwarf hamsters, Winter White Dwarf hamsters, and Chinese hamsters. Its fur is grey with a light brown-yellow hue and a dark stripe running down its body. ... P. campbelli. This species of hamster is considered an agricultural pest as well, and it's often hunted for its fur. Syrian hamsters should live alone (they’re the solitary types). Shop Petco's collection of small pets & animals, including live hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets & more. Hamsters are some of the most popular pets today. The most common types of pet hamsters include the Mesocritecus auratusor the Syrian hamster, the Phodopusor the dwarf hamsters, and the Crisetulus griseusor the Chinese hamsters. This species can cross-breed with Campbell's hamsters, so it's difficult to find a 100% Winter White Dwarf hamster. So, in this post we will be highlighting all of the different kinds of hamsters that exist. They have become established as popular small house pets. 19 Different Types Of Hamsters 1. The Syrian hamster (also known as the golden, teddy bear, or fancy hamster) is one of the most common types of pet hamsters, according to The … The Kam Dwarf hamster is only found in the mountains of western China, specifically in grasslands, shrubby marshes, and steppes. Other colourations usually come from a hybrid gene with the Campbell’s hamster, meaning these are not true Winter Whites. The following 14 types of hamsters listed are mostly found in the wild and are almost never kept as pets. Cleaning each rung of the metal cage can be kind of annoying, even if it is necessary. Laboratory Animal Medicine, 2015, pp. Hamster Classification. It's especially prominent in piedmont semidesert. Well, it has a good size (not too small), it’s cute, and it’s more social and curious than the other types. These creatures... 2. P. sungorus. The European breed can grow as large as 13.4 inches (34 centimeters) long and are some of the biggest varieties of hamsters. Different Types of Hamsters There are 19 different species of hamsters classified under the subfamily Cricetinae and grouped into seven genera. There are five main breeds of hamster commonly kept as pets in the UK, each with their own unique care requirements and temperaments. They're frequently solitary. Learn more about the different types of hamsters, including Syrian, Roborovski, Chinese and dwarf hamsters, and what makes them unique from each other, here. Chinese Hamsters: around 4 inches (10 cm) - and, unlike other hamsters, they have a noticeable tail as well. It's nocturnal and feeds on seeds and insects. Zach is a life-long pet owner and enthusiast. However, they can still be quick, making it tougher for younger children to handle. Sokolov's Dwarf hamster was originally listed as conspecific with the Chinese Stripes hamster, but it was differentiated in 1988. It also frequently stands up on its hind legs and loudly screams as a means of communication. These creatures can grow up to 6 inches in length, making them one of the largest species as well. These tiny hamsters grow to around 2 to 4 inches (5.5 to 10.5 cm) long. Campbell’s Dwarf hamster. This type of hamster food is made of a variety of grasses and grains that are healthy for hamsters, mixed together and pressed into small pellets. 5 Different Types of Hamsters for Pets (With Pictures) 1. He was born into a family with a dog named Murphy, and since then has owned several other dogs, mice, ferrets, fish, geckos, and a cat. Examples of self hamsters include the black, cream, mink and sable. They are also the most active and... 2. The first 5 hamsters listed are hamsters that are commonly kept as pets. Roborovski Hamster. 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