Russian Dwarf Hamster

RUSSIAN DWARF HAMSTER

Family: Cricetidae 

Genus: Phodopus 

Gestation: 18-21 days

First of all, you should know that the term Russian dwarf hamster can actually refer to three distinctly different species of dwarf hamsters. This includes the Roboroski’s dwarf hamster, the Campbell’s Russian dwarf hamster and the Winter White Russian dwarf hamster.

Campbell's Russian Dwarf Hamster ( Phodopus campbelli ) is more common than the Dwarf Winter White Russian hamsters, and is easier to find in pet shops today. At 8-10 centimeters in length, the Russian Winter White is similar in size and appearance to the Campbell’s Russian dwarf. In fact they are very often mistakenly considered as one and the same species. The smallest of the three species, the teeny weeny Roboroski hamster grows to a maximum ofonly 4-5 centimeters. Now that’s tiny!  Their average lifespan is 1.5-2 years.

Campbell's Russian Dwarf hamsters can be difficult to handle due to their small size. They are fairly sociable and will get along well with others of its own kind, but there still may be an occasional argument between the hamsters.