Although there are many types of hamsters, there are 5 common types of hamsters.
Syrian or Golden Hamsters
Scientific Name: Mesocritus Auratus
Life Span: 2 to 2-1/2 years
Adult Size: 4" - 7"
Syrian hamsters, also known as Goldens or Teddy Bears, are the most popular hamsters kept as pets. They are easy to handle and make great pets for children. They are not social with other hamsters and should be kept alone after 8 weeks of age. If put together, Syrian hamsters can fight until they kill each other. Syrian hamsters are nocturnal, and are rarely active during the day.
Syrian hamsters come in a variety of colors, and they are one of the largest hamsters. Females can grow larger than the males, which reach about 6" long. Syrians have a very short tail, large cheek pouches, and small eyes.
Campbells Russian Dwarf Hamster
Scientific Name: Phodopus Cambelli
Life Span: 2 years
Adult Size: 4"
Campbells Russian Dwarf hamsters are more social than Syrian hamsters, and they can be kept in same sex pairs or groups of their breed as long as they are introduced at a young age. They aren't quite as easy to handle as Syrians and may nip if they feel nervous or threatened. Though they are nocturnal, they are often awake for small periods during the day.
Campbells Russian Dwarfs are very small. The natural coat color is grayish brown fur on the back with a darker strip of color down the spine, with a creamier color on the sides, and a white stomach. Campbells Russian Dwarf's can be found in a variety of colors, due to selective breeding.
Roborovski Dwarf Hamster
Scientific Name: Phodopus Roborovski
Life Span: 3 to 3-1/2 years
Adult Size:1-1/2" to 2"
Roborovski Dwarfs are another social breed of hamster, and they do good in small same sex pairs or groups, if introduced at a young age. Roborovski Dwarf hamsters usually do not nip. Though they have good temperaments, they are generally better for observation than for handling because of their size and agility. They should be handled where they will be easy to catch if they jump. They are nocturnal.
Roborovski hamsters are sandy brown with a white stomach, white marks over their eyes, and occasionally a white face. They are the smallest of the popular hamster breeds.
Chinese Hamster
Scientific Name: Cricetulus Griseus
Life Span: 1-1/2 to 2 years
Adult Size: 4"
Chinese hamsters, also known as "Striped hamsters" or "Chinese Striped hamsters", are not generally social hamsters. It's best to house them individually. They can be aggressive towards each other, though they are good-natured towards people and slightly timid, and they rarely nip. They are active during short periods throughout the day, but their most active period is at night.
Chinese hamsters are often mistakenly referred to as dwarf hamsters. Chinese hamsters have a body type that is similar to a rat or mouse - long and slender. There are two colors of Chinese hamsters. The first, and most common, is an agouti coat with a dark brown back, a black line of fur along the spine, and an ivory colored stomach. The other color is called a "dominant spot," and it is a white coat with spots of color.
Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster
Scientific Name: Phodopus Sungorus
Life Span: 2 years
Adult Size: 3-1/2" to 4"
Winter White Russian Dwarf hamsters are active during the day and can be kept in same sex pairs or groups. They are good-natured towards people. Though they are very small and quick, so they can be a challenge for young children to handle safely.
Winter White Russian Dwarfs come in three colors: Sapphire, Pearl, and a combination of the two called Sapphire-Pearl. Pearl is a white pattern where white hairs are sprinkled throughout the coat, and Sapphire is a purple-gray color. Sapphire Winter White Russians have a gray undercoat, a thick gray stripe along their spines, and an ivory colored stomach.
Syrian or Golden Hamsters
Scientific Name: Mesocritus Auratus
Life Span: 2 to 2-1/2 years
Adult Size: 4" - 7"
Syrian hamsters, also known as Goldens or Teddy Bears, are the most popular hamsters kept as pets. They are easy to handle and make great pets for children. They are not social with other hamsters and should be kept alone after 8 weeks of age. If put together, Syrian hamsters can fight until they kill each other. Syrian hamsters are nocturnal, and are rarely active during the day.
Syrian hamsters come in a variety of colors, and they are one of the largest hamsters. Females can grow larger than the males, which reach about 6" long. Syrians have a very short tail, large cheek pouches, and small eyes.
Campbells Russian Dwarf Hamster
Scientific Name: Phodopus Cambelli
Life Span: 2 years
Adult Size: 4"
Campbells Russian Dwarf hamsters are more social than Syrian hamsters, and they can be kept in same sex pairs or groups of their breed as long as they are introduced at a young age. They aren't quite as easy to handle as Syrians and may nip if they feel nervous or threatened. Though they are nocturnal, they are often awake for small periods during the day.
Campbells Russian Dwarfs are very small. The natural coat color is grayish brown fur on the back with a darker strip of color down the spine, with a creamier color on the sides, and a white stomach. Campbells Russian Dwarf's can be found in a variety of colors, due to selective breeding.
Roborovski Dwarf Hamster
Scientific Name: Phodopus Roborovski
Life Span: 3 to 3-1/2 years
Adult Size:1-1/2" to 2"
Roborovski Dwarfs are another social breed of hamster, and they do good in small same sex pairs or groups, if introduced at a young age. Roborovski Dwarf hamsters usually do not nip. Though they have good temperaments, they are generally better for observation than for handling because of their size and agility. They should be handled where they will be easy to catch if they jump. They are nocturnal.
Roborovski hamsters are sandy brown with a white stomach, white marks over their eyes, and occasionally a white face. They are the smallest of the popular hamster breeds.
Chinese Hamster
Scientific Name: Cricetulus Griseus
Life Span: 1-1/2 to 2 years
Adult Size: 4"
Chinese hamsters, also known as "Striped hamsters" or "Chinese Striped hamsters", are not generally social hamsters. It's best to house them individually. They can be aggressive towards each other, though they are good-natured towards people and slightly timid, and they rarely nip. They are active during short periods throughout the day, but their most active period is at night.
Chinese hamsters are often mistakenly referred to as dwarf hamsters. Chinese hamsters have a body type that is similar to a rat or mouse - long and slender. There are two colors of Chinese hamsters. The first, and most common, is an agouti coat with a dark brown back, a black line of fur along the spine, and an ivory colored stomach. The other color is called a "dominant spot," and it is a white coat with spots of color.
Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster
Scientific Name: Phodopus Sungorus
Life Span: 2 years
Adult Size: 3-1/2" to 4"
Winter White Russian Dwarf hamsters are active during the day and can be kept in same sex pairs or groups. They are good-natured towards people. Though they are very small and quick, so they can be a challenge for young children to handle safely.
Winter White Russian Dwarfs come in three colors: Sapphire, Pearl, and a combination of the two called Sapphire-Pearl. Pearl is a white pattern where white hairs are sprinkled throughout the coat, and Sapphire is a purple-gray color. Sapphire Winter White Russians have a gray undercoat, a thick gray stripe along their spines, and an ivory colored stomach.
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