Hamsters

Different Types of Hamsters

There are more than 20 kinds of hamsters in the wild, but only a few have been domesticated. Syrian Hamsters, or the Classic Golden (Mesocricetus auratusare usually about 6 to 8 inches long and weigh 3 to 5 ounces. They are colorblind and see their surroundings in black and white. They come in many colors. One variety is the long-haired. Golden or Syrian hamsters are solitary animals. If kept together, they will fight, sometimes to the death. Even though pet stores often house Syrians together, this is a harmful situation for the animals. It leads to competition, aggressiveness, unsanitary conditions, and, in the case of mistaken sexing, babies.

The Campbell’s Russian dwarf hamster i(Phodopus campbelli) is about 2 to 3 inches long, 1 to 2 ounces, and round and fuzzy with plentiful fur on his tail and feet. The Winter White Russian hamster (Phodopus sungorusis similar but a bit smaller and turns white in winter. The dwarf has delicate feet, a soft coat, compact physique and a dorsal stripe running down its back. Both are susceptible to diabetes. Dwarf hamsters can be kept together. They are able to be kept in same gender pairs if they have been together since birth. Many dwarf hamsters are usually separated either early on or later in life due to fighting or aggression of one sibling. Dwarf hamster owners should have an extra set of supplies on hand in case immediate separation is needed.

Please check out our following care guides for more information on hamsters:

SARI Hamster Care Sheet
SARI Hamster Cage Guide

To see our adoptable hamsters, check them out on Petfinder

Before contacting us, please refer to our smoking policy and adoption to children policy.

Adoption fees for hamsters: (coming soon!)

Becca