So, you have decided you want a pet hamster as part of your family. And that’s a great choice! Hamsters are cute, cuddly and are bound to attract the “nawh” expression from both young and adults. In addition, they are compatible with a busy life and requires minimal maintenance.
The first thing to know is there are five types of hamsters used as pets:
The 5 types of Hamsters
- Syrian Hamster also known as the Teddy Bear Hamster - our recommended hamster for new hamster owners
- Campbell’s Dwarf Hamsters
- Russian Dwarf / Winter White Hamsters
- Roborovski Dwarf Hamster
- Chinese Dwarf Hamsters
Besides beang adorable pets and closely related biologically, these five types of hamsters share a keen sense of hearing, a very good nose and unfortunately, a poor eyesight.
However, there are also many differences both in terms of size, appearance and expected life.
Below, we will explore habits of our furry friends, show pictures and present facts so you know how to take care of the hamster, that just right for you.
Or, if you're in a rush you can use our table below to quickly compare the different types of hamsters.
Type | Lifespan | Size | Social | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Syrian | 2-3 years | 6-7 inches | Keep alone | Large variety |
Campbell | 1.5-2 years | 4 inches | Alone or same | Grey Brown |
Russian Dwarf | 1.5-2 years | 4 inches |
Alone or same | Grey Brown |
Roborovski | 3-3.5 years | 2 inches | Alone or same | Variety of colors |
Chinese | 2-3 years | 3 inches | Best kept alone | Dark Brown on Top |
Syrian Hamster (or Teddy Bear Hamster): The Most Common Hamster as a Pet
Meet the Teddy Bear Hamster also known as The Syrian Hamster.
Teddy Bear Hamsters are the preferred choice by many due to their fluffy appearance with a golden-brown coat and white belly.
Further, they have a lively personality and a curios nature which makes them fun to be around and interact with.
For these reasons, the Syrian Hamster is our recommended choice for families getting their first hamster.
All about the Syrian Hamster
Expected lifespan:
2 – 3 years old.
Size:
Syrian Hamsters usually grow to a size of 6-7 inches (15-17 cm) in length. At that size, they will have a weight of 5-7 ounces (140-200g).
Appearance: Teddy bear like
Through breeding, the Syrian Hamster comes on a variety of colours from including white, brown and grey with a white belly. The colour they usually come in however, is their “trademark” golden-brown coat.
The jawbone and their ears will often be dark brown.
Behaviour: Easy to tame and handle
Syrian Hamsters are generally slow paced, good natured, calm and easy to tame and handle. These factors combined make them relatively easy to train. As with other animals it is also true for the Teddy Bear Hamster that the earlier you train it the easier it is.
Social: Always keep the Syrian Hamster alone
Unlike other hamsters, Syrian Hamsters are highly territorial. While easy for humans to be around, they should always live in solitary confinement.
So, the rule is one cage per hamster!
Otherwise, the hamster will get stressed, and fights with other hamsters will break out which may be fatal.
The territoriality of the Syrian Hamster has led to them having a reputation for being nippy. While they can be nippy they are so no more than other types of hamsters.
Daily Cycle: A nocturnal animal
The Syrian Hamster is nocturnal so don’t wake it during the day (unless it takes one of its few short sleeping breaks)! It is usually most active in the hours around 7PM.
Habitat:
You should have a cage or aquarium with a ground floor of at least 15x12 inches (38x30 cm). In total, it should have an area of 2 cubic feet (55 litres). The space between bars in the cage should not be more than 2 inches (5 cm).
As mentioned they Syrian Hamster should always live alone.
The room temperature should be between 69 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20-22 celsius).
Pregnancy:
The Syrian Hamster is pregnant for 16 days
Consumption:
The Syrian Hamster eats between 1/3 to 1/2 ounce of hamster food daily (10-15g) and will consume about 6 tablespoons (30ml) of water per day.
Other Names:
Often referred to as a Golden Hamster (due to its coat), teddy bear hamster (due to the length of its hair), European Black Bear Hamster, Fancy Hamster, Standard Hamster. There is also a hairless variety often referred to as the Alien Hamster. The Species name is Mesocricetus Auratus.
Dwarf Hamsters – 3 different hamsters under 1 name
As the name suggests, dwarf hamsters are smaller than Syrian Hamsters. Other key differences from the Syrian Hamster is that they are faster and jumpier. Finally, they have an ability to live with other hamsters (of the same breed) in a cage.
The term dwarf hamster is often used as an umbrella term for 3 different types of Hamsters.
Types of Dwarf Hamsters
· Campbell’s Dwarf Hamster
· Russian Dwarf / Winter White Hamsters
· Roborovski Dwarf Hamster
These three types share the same characteristics:
· Fast and agile making them a bit harder to handle than Syrian Hamsters
· More social and can live both alone or in pairs (if introduced at a young age)
Campbell’s Dwarf Hamster: The Most Common Dwarf Hamster
Campbell’s Dwarf Hamsters is the type of dwarf hamster most often found in pet stores. It is the largest of the dwarf hamsters coming in at around 4 inches (10cm) with a weight of a little less than 2 ounces (50g). They have a relatively short lifespan of 1½ to 2 years.
All about the Campbell Dwarf Hamster
Expected lifespan:
1.5 – 2 years old.
Size:
It is the largest of the dwarf hamsters coming in at around 4 inches (10cm) with a weight of a little less than 2 ounces (50g).
Appearance: Grey brown with white ears
Campbell’s Dwarf Hamster is usually grey or brownish with a white belly. They also have a stripe down their spine.
The jawbone will be somewhat darker and their inner ears will be all white creating a nice contrast to the grey fur.
Finally, the Campbell Hamster is noted for having furry feet.
Behaviour: Not ideal for small children
The Campbell Dwarf is probably the most curious and outgoing of the dwarf hamsters. It is quick and agile and will spend a lot of time exercising on its hamster wheel or in a hamster ball.
Its exercise level and quickness makes it less than ideal for small children who will have a hard dealing with a small and quick animal in their little hands.
Social: Can live both alone and together with other Campbell Hamsters
The Campbell Dwarf Hamster functions well with other hamsters of their own species and can both be kept with their own sex. If done so, the hamsters should be introduced to the same habitat at a young age and preferably before their 8-week birthday.
If you have two or more hamsters already living together you should not introduce any new ones to the group.
Like all other hamsters, it can become nippy but only if it stressed or held against its will.
Daily Cycle: A nocturnal animal
Like most other hamsters, Campbell Hamster is nocturnal. It is usually most active in the hours around 6PM.
Habitat:
The Campbell Dwarf Hamster needs a habitat that is at least 1 cubic foot (28 litres). For each dwarf hamster you add, you should add another 0.5 cubic foot (14 litres). You should have one hamster wheel for each hamster in your habitat.
Although you can have a cage for a dwarf hamster we recommend an aquarium so the hamster does not squeeze itself out of those bars.
The room temperature should be between 69 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20-22 celsius).
Pregnancy:
The Campbell Hamster is pregnant for 18-21 days.
Consumption:
The Campbell Dwarf Hamster eats between 1/3 to 1/2 ounce of food daily (10-15g) and will consume about 6 tablespoons (30ml) of water per day. This is the same as the Syrian Hamster despite them being much smaller. This is due to a more active lifestyle and a higher metabolism.
Other Names:
Djungarian Hamster. The Species name is Phodopus campbelli.
Russian Dwarf / Winter White Hamsters: Shifting colours!
The Russian Dwarf or the Winter White Hamster depending on your preference is quite unique and rapidly increasing in popularity.
This is because of their unique ability to change colours. In Winter, this little Hamster will turn white (from dark grey) to protect itself on the snowy, Siberian steppes.
It is, however, rare for the Winter White Hamster to do so in captivity due to being exposed to a constant temperature and with a day cycle that is far less pronounced compared to Siberia.
All about the Russian Dwarf Hamster
Expected lifespan:
1.5 – 2 years old.
Size:
Together with Campbell Hamsters, they are the largest dwarf hamsters coming in at around 4 inches (10cm) with a weight of 1-2 ounces (30-55g).
Appearance: Grey brown with white belly
The Russian Dwarf is normally dark grey with a block dorsal stripe along its spine and with a white belly. As mentioned it can change its appearance to white in the winter but don’t expect this unless you live further from the equator than most people do.
Behaviour: Not ideal for small children
Due to its close affiliation with the Campbell Dwarf, the Russian Dwarf has many similarities to it. For example, they share a curious and outgoing nature and both are quick and agile.
As with the Campbell Dwarf, its exercise level and quickness makes it less than ideal for small children who will have a hard dealing with its quickness.
Social: Can live alone or in pairs
The Russian Dwarf can live alone and together with other Russian Dwarfs of the same sex. If living together, the hamsters should be introduced to the same habitat at a young age and preferably before their 8-week birthday.
Like other hamsters, you should not introduce other hamsters to its habitat once its habits have formed.
Like all other hamsters, it can become nippy but only if it stressed or held against its will.
Daily Cycle: A nocturnal animal
Like most other hamsters, Campbell Hamster is nocturnal. It is usually most active in the hours around 6PM.
Habitat:
Same as the Campbell Dwarf Hamster. It needs a habitat that is at least 1 cubic foot (28 litres). If you have two hamsters it should be at least 1.5 cubic feet (42 litres). You should have one hamster wheel for each hamster in your habitat.
Although you can have a cage for a dwarf hamster we recommend an aquarium so the hamster does not squeeze itself out of those bars.
The room temperature should be between 69 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20-22 celsius).
Pregnancy:
The White Russian Dwarf is pregnant for 18-21 days.
Consumption:
Same as The Campbell Dwarf Hamster. It eats betweenbetween 1/3 to 1/2 ounce of hamster food daily (10-15g) and will consume about 6 tablespoons (30ml) of water per day.
Other Names:
Winter White Dwarf Hamsters, Siberian Hamster. The Species name is Phodopus Sungorus.
Roborovski Dwarf Hamster
The Robo Hamster (as it is often called) is the smallest hamster you can find. It is also an extremely active species which can make it very entertaining to have around.
All about the Roborovski Dwarf Hamster
Expected lifespan:
3 – 3.5 years old.
Size: They don’t come smaller
The tiniest hamster around coming in at 2 inches (5cm) with a weight of around 0.5 – 0.75 ounces (14-20g).
Appearance: Small and no dorsal stripe
Unlike other dwarf hamsters, the Roborovski Dwarf Hamster does not have a dorsal stripe along its spine. Compared to its size, it is also has slightly longer legs than other dwarf hamsters.
The variety in colour is also greater than for other hamsters. It’s top will usually be brown (made it blend in, in the desert) with a white side and belly.
Behaviour: Extremely active
It is extremely active and when you take it out of the cage, it is a good idea to do so in an area that it cannot get out of and with no hiding places.
They are generally very gently and it takes significantly more stress for the robo hamster to start nipping compared to other hamsters.
Due to their small size and lifestyle it is not advisable to let children under 8 handle the Roborovski Dwarf Hamster.
Social: Can live alone or in pairs
Much like the Campbell Hamster, the Robo Hamster live alone and together with other Russian Dwarfs. If living together, the hamsters should be introduced to the same habitat at a young age and preferably before their 12-week birthday.
Like other hamsters, you should not introduce other hamsters to its habitat once its habits have formed.
Like all other hamsters, it can become nippy but only if it stressed or held against its will.
Daily Cycle: A nocturnal animal
Like most other hamsters, the Robo Hamster is nocturnal. It is usually most active in the hours around 6PM.
Habitat:
Same as other Dwarf Hamster. It needs a habitat that is at least 1 cubic foot (28 litres). If you have two hamsters it should be at least 1.5 cubic feet (42 litres). You should have one hamster wheel for each hamster in your habitat.
Although you can have a cage for a dwarf hamster we recommend an aquarium so the hamster does not squeeze itself out of those bars.
The room temperature should be between 69 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20-22 Celsius).
Pregnancy:
The Roborovski Hamster is pregnant for 27-30 days.
Consumption:
Same as other Dwarf Hamsters despite their size. It eats between 1/3 to 1/2 ounce of food daily (10-15g) and will consume about 6 tablespoons (30ml) of water per day.
Other Names:
Robo Hamster, Desert Hamster. The Species name is Phodopus Roborovski.
Chinese Dwarf Hamster
The Chinese Dwarf Hamster is often mistakenly put “in the same bucket” as the other dwarf hamster, but it has noticeable differences. The most notable difference in the Chinese Hamster is a clearly noticeable tail which makes it the most “mouse-like” of the hamsters.
All about the Chinese Dwarf Hamster
Expected lifespan:
2 – 3 years old.
Size: Smaller and larger than other dwarf hamsters!
The body of the Chinese Hamster is usually around 3 inches (8cm). However, including the tail it can have a full length of 5 inches (13cm). It weighs between 1 – 1.5 ounces (28-42g).
Appearance: Small and no dorsal stripe
As other dwarf hamsters, the Chinese Hamster has a dark brown colour on the top and white on the belly. However, it also exits in purely white versions. They have a black dorsal line along their spine.
Unlike all other hamsters, the Chinese Hamster have a very noticeable tail. This has led to the hamster looking somewhat like a crossover between a chinchilla and a hamster.
Behaviour: Extremely active
Like the Robo Hamster, the Chinese Dwarf Hamster is extremely active and when you take it out of the cage, it is a good idea to do so in an area that it cannot get out of and with no hiding places.
Due to their small size and lifestyle it is not advisable to let children under 8 handle the Chinese Dwarf Hamster.
Social: Usually live alone
The Chinese Hamster can live with other hamsters. However, unlike other dwarf hamsters, once two Chinese Hamsters get along they don’t necessarily do so forever.
As such unless you expect to spend a significant amount of time observing how your hamsters are doing, it is an easy solution to simply keep Chinese Hamsters apart.
Daily Cycle: A nocturnal animal
Like most other hamsters, the Robo Hamster is nocturnal.
Habitat:
Same as other Dwarf Hamster. It needs a habitat that is at least 1 cubic foot (28 litres). If you have two hamsters it should be at least 1.5 cubic feet (42 litres). You should have one hamster wheel for each hamster in your habitat.
Although you can have a cage for a dwarf hamster we recommend an aquarium so the hamster does not squeeze itself out of those bars.
The room temperature should be between 69 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20-22 Celsius).
Pregnancy:
The Chinese Dwarf Hamster is pregnant for 18-21 days.
Consumption:
Same as other Dwarf Hamsters despite their size. It eats between 1/3 to 1/2 ounce of hamster food daily (10-15g) and will consume about 6 tablespoons (30ml) of water per day.
Other Names:
Chinese Striped Hamster, Striped Hamster. The Species name is Phodopus Griseus.