If you’re thinking of getting a pet in the future, a hamster is a good choice. They’re small animals and stay in a cage so you won’t have to pet-proof your whole house. You’re also still able to travel, and hamsters are able to be left on their own up to a week when given plenty of food and water. Although I would still recommend having someone to check in on them. There are over 20 different hamster species, but only 5 of them have been domesticated into pets. Syrian hamsters, Roborovski hamsters, dwarf hamsters, Chinese hamsters, and Winter White’s.
Syrian hamsters, also known as Golden Hamsters or Teddy Bear Hamsters, are the largest of these 5 and also live the longest, around 2-4 years. They average about 5-7 inches long, about as long as a dollar bill. Syrian’s come in a variety of colors: gold, black, cream, white, and all sorts of markings and patterns. They are the most popular breed due to their size and docile personality.
Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters are the smallest and fastest. They have energetic personalities and enjoy running on their hamster wheels for hours at a time. Roborovski’s are the size of a golf ball, only growing to be 1.5-3 inches long. They’re normally a sandy-brown color with white underbellies and white eyebrows. However, due to their fast speed and skittish personalities, they’re not the best pets for first-time owners or families with young children.
Campbell’s Russian Dwarf Hamsters come in 6 different basic colors: Agouti (grey-brown), Argente (sandy color), Black-Eyed Argente (rusty brown), Albino (white), and Opal (blue grey). No matter what color, most of them often have small patches of white scattered throughout their fur. They grow around 2-4 inches long and fit comfortably in the palm of your hand.
Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamsters are commonly confused with Campbells, as they are both calledRussian dwarf hamsters. Winter White’s, however, are a little larger in size, around 3-4 inches, and are generally a little friendlier. They also have a distinct dark stripe of fur along their back, which is one of the main distinguishing factors. During the winter months, much like their name, their fur becomes whiter.
Chinese Hamsters are slimmer and have a longer tail, appearing more “rat-like” compared to other hamster breeds. They measure around 3-4 inches, similar to a Winter White. They’re normally a gray-brown color with a darker dorsal stripe. They are agile climbers and are known to hang onto their owner’s fingers. Although they’re not an endangered species, they are a rarer pet compared to the other 4.
Hamsters are territorial pets and generally should not be housed together, but there are some exceptions. While they’re still young, hamsters can be housed together with their siblings, but as they grow older, it will lead to fighting to the death. Syrian and Chinese hamsters should never be housed with each other, but the dwarf species are able to be housed together in same-sex pairs when introduced to each other early on. It’s always the safest choice to give them separate cages, as the risk of fighting to the death is very high.
Hamsters are nocturnal creatures, but many adapt to match their owners’ schedules. Your hamster will most likely sleep during the day and awake in the evening. Hamsters are pretty energetic creatures and will love running on a hamster wheel, or if you let them out all over your house. It’s in a hamster’s nature to try to escape, so be prepared with a proper cage or be ready to search every little crevice of your home.
Hamsters are highly entertaining pets with a lot of energy. Once they warm up to you, they can also be cuddly and enjoy being petted. Different hamsters are a better fit for some people’s lifestyles, but make sure to remember that they’ll still have their own unique personalities.
