Dwarf hamster

Taxobox
name = Dwarf Hamsters
fossil_range = Pleistocene to Recent

---

image_width = 250px
image_caption = Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster, normal color
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordovgvgvgvvvv g gh vfggghhjn
superfamilia = Muroidea
familia = Cricetidae
subfamilia = Cricetinae
genus = "Phodopus"
genus_authority = Miller, 1910
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Phodopus campbelli"
"Phodopus roborovskii"
"Phodopus sungorus"

The dwarf hamsters represent a group of small hamsters in the genus "Phodopus". Although they do not belong to this genus, the Chinese Hamster is often referred to as a dwarf hamster as well.

Species

*Genus "Phodopus" - short-tailed dwarf hamsters
**"Phodopus campbelli" - Campbell's Dwarf Hamster
**"Phodopus roborovskii" - Roborovski's (Desert) Dwarf Hamster
**"Phodopus sungorus" - Winter White Russian (Dzhungarian) Dwarf Hamster

*Genus "Cricetulus" - ratlike hamsters
**"Cricetulus griseus" - Chinese hamster. These are not strictly considered dwarfs.

Although more limited in colour than the Syrian Hamster, dwarf hamsters are an alternative to pet owners who enjoy a smaller, more sociable hamster.

The Campbell's Dwarf Hamster and Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster, which is often referred to in Russian as a "Shwi-shwi", usually live between 1.5 and 2.5 years and reach a length of about 8-10cm. The Chinese Hamster is 10-12cm in length and usually lives to 2.5 to 3 years. The Roborovski Hamster is the smallest at only 4-5cm and lives for 3 to 3.5 years.The Russian Winter White is 8-10cm, as are the Campbell's. Due to the similarity in size and color, they are mistaken as one species.

References

*Nowak, Ronald M. 1999. "Walker's Mammals of the World", 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1936 pp. ISBN 0-8018-5789-9

Buying Dwarf Hamsters

*It is always a good idea to research and buy all the equipment your hamster will need prior to purchasing the hamster itself. When you purchase your new pet, do so in pairs or groups, as they like company, and will get depressed on their own. They are very playful, so beware when younger children handle them, as they may try to escape from their grip.

External links

* [http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters.asp Pet Web Site (formerly The Complete Hamster Site) section on Hamsters]
* [http://netvet.wustl.edu/species/hamsters/phodopus.txt Russian Dwarf Hamsters] information from breeder Jean McGuire
* [http://www.hamster-zone.com/hamster-housing/about-dwarf-hamsters.html Dwarf Hamsters]