Different hamster breeds

Different Hamster Breeds – Which One Should I Choose?

There are about 25 types of hamster breeds as known. However, not all those hamster breeds are suitable to be a pet as they are actually have absolutely different characteristics. The following are the most common and popular five:

Syrian Hamsters (Science name: Mesocricetus auratus) Size: 6 – 7 inches Average live span: 2-2.5 years (the largest! Males are always slightly smaller than females.)

Appearance features: Various in colours and hair with short tails.

Characteristics: solitary and nocturnal. These mean that every Syrian should be in there own cage otherwise they may fight with each other until one die.

However, they are the most responsive one so they are the most popular one too. Suitable for children to keep as a pet.

Active period: Evening and night

Hamster Breeds - Syrian Hamsters

Chinese Hamsters (Science name: Cricetulus griseus) Size: 4 – 5 inches Average live span: 2.5-3 years Appearance features: Longer tail, dark gray or brown with a black strip down their spine.

Characteristics: not social, better house them individually but they are gentle when they grow up and also friendly towards human. Chinese Hamsters are more active in night rather than in day time.

Active period: Night

Hamster Breeds - Chinese Hamsters

Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters (Science name: Phodopus campbelli) Size: 4 – 5 inches

Average live span: 1.5-2 years Appearance features: Short tail and furry feet Characteristics: Can live with hamsters of same breed before they grow up.

Although they are usually friendly, they may become aggressive when they feel threatened or scared.

Active period: Night

Hamster Breeds - Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters

Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters (Science name: Phodopus roborovski) Size: 1 – 2 inches Average live span: 3-3.5 years Appearance features: Brown in colour with white eyebrows

Characteristics: They can be housed together for the same breed at their early age. They Roborovski have good temperament but they are too tiny and can move very fast that people can hardly catch them. Not Suitable to children but suitable for observation only.

Active period: Short period in the day time and night

Hamster Breeds - Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters

Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamsters (Science name: Phodopus sungorus) Size: 3.5 – 4 inches Average live span: 1.5-2 years Appearance features: Quite similar to Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters and can turn white in short period Characteristics: They can be housed together happily for the same breed at their early age. They have best temperament among those five but since they

are tiny and quick, the cage should be chosen carefully. Suitable to older children or adults.

Active period: Day

Hamster Breeds - Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamsters

P.S. 1: In fact, all hamsters are nocturnal animals which have their active period at night but some types of them may wake up at day for a short time.

P.S. 2: And also, hamsters are solitary, only some of those kinds can be housed together if introduced at their young age.

After reading the brief introduction of these hamsters, you must know how to choose a hamster that suits you!

Hamster Breeds - blueberry Hamsters

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