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Dwarfs |
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Campbells dwarfs (also knows as Campbells Russian, Hairy Footed hamster, Russian Campbells, or Siberian dwarfs) are much tinier than Syrians. They measure about 2-4 inches full-grown. Campbells dwarfs also come in many different colors, but not quite as many as Syrians.
Dwarves should be kept in pairs, because they are social (see Dwarf Hamsters Are Social by Linda Price). But even though they are social, they must be paired at an early age to get along.
Despite the fact dwarfs are small, they like lots of room to run around in, so cages should be as large as possible. I'd recommend a 20 gallon aquarium, or a cage with that size equivalent.
Dwarves generally do not make good pets for young children, due to their size and speed. They are fun little pets, and very entertaining to watch, as they groom, play, and sleep together. :)
Note: Diabetes is becoming more and more common in Campbells dwarf hamsters. It is important to know all you can about symptoms and treatment before purchasing them. For more information on diabetes in Campbells see here. |
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Campbell's Dwarf. Opal/Dark Grey coloring. |
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Winter Whites |
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The care and keeping of Winter White dwarfs (also known as Siberian dwarfs) doesn't differ from that of Campbell's. They are just a tad larger and more round in shape than Campbell's. To learn more about Winter Whites, see here. |
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Roborovski |
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The Roborovski's care and keeping also does not differ, but there are some differences... "Robos" are the smallest of all the hamsters, and also the quickest. They are usually known to be unhandelable, but some do become tame enough to sit in your hand. They also love tunneling and burrowing, so deeper bedding and some tubes will be appreciated. They also need at least the cage size of a pair of Campbells, but even larger is better, as they do enjoy darting and running. |
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White-faced Robo- left. Normal Robo- right. |
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